Retarder operation with manual dash lever

[agitator19]

Ed,

On our 89 sp (sold last spring), there was a switch on the left panel (behind
the shift buttons) that controlled whether the retarder worked with the foot
brake pedal. If it was on, the first application of the foot brake would
activate the retarder. It would actuate the retarder before applying the air
brakes. As the foot pedal was pushed more, both the retarder and the air brakes
were applied. It was an electric switch that turned it on and off, but I think
the retarder was actuated by air pressure.

The lever under the dash applied the retarder directly with air pressure
completely seperately from the foot brake. On mine, it didn't matter which
position the electrical switch was in -- the retarder acted when the lever was
pushed.

By the way, the transmission in the SP is made by ZF not Allison. Information
on the ZF is available from their US headquarters in Chicago or service
facilities in PA, and FL. Check the internet for details and phone # (sorry, I
don,t have the info - it went with my coach)

Jim Brookshire
2004 M380
Saluda, NC
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "wl89spman" wrote:
>
> My 89sp, with CAT 3208and Allison retarder, quit working a few years ago. The
way it worked was with the 3 POS sw(ON/OFF/APPLY) in the ON position, I could
move the lever from the up position to slowly down and the more I moved it down
the more braking I got, was great for trafficand stop signs. In the apply
position I got immeadiate full braking with the lever in the up position.
> After it quit working it would not react to the lever, but still worked in
apply position. If I understand correctly.. the apply pos. is electric and the
lever operarion would be air...correct?
>
> Has anybody had this problem or know what to look for? Just got it out of
the shop...and the retarder still doesnt work with the lever only. The tech
didnt know how it was supposed to work. the lever is supposed to save brake use
correct?
>
> any help would be appreciated
> Ed Gardels 89SP
> oven like Arlington, Texas
>