Mack Doctor Jr. Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Has anyone ever had any issues with the M Drive? He is my situation, we bought 2 2013's off of Iron Planet. We drove to Georgia to pick them up and only brought one back. U could build air, push the yellow button in and while holding the brake put it in gear and move the truck. The next time u make a complete stop the truck would not move at all. U could mess with it buy building air and tapping the brake pedal and eventually get it to move and it would shift and fun perfect till u make a complete stop.It seemed to me there was a connection between holding the brake pedal down to let the trans shift in at a complete stop. Im not sure if there is an airline that goes from the foot valve to the trans that was causing this issue. The air app. gauge was showing it was holding air somehow and not releasing to let the truck move. the truck would go in gear but the brakes would lock the truck down like u were holding the brakes as tight as u can.The reason I ask about the trans is cause it only did this when u stop and make a gear selection and or just make a stop period. Trans shifts but the brakes are locked.It rained in Atlanta for 3 hrs straight and when it quit the guys closed the doors to go home. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Maybe you have a problem with the hill assist staying on. I THINK there is a brake switch and a sensor inside the TECU that determines the degree of hill the truck in on while hill assist is activated. Maybe the hill assist is staying active due to a bad brake switch. That could explain why pumping the brakes gets you moving. Take it to a dealer. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-207825 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack Doctor Jr. Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 That could be it. It has so many switches that I don't know about. There is not any literature on all the switches. I need to post some questions about switches and what they do I guess. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-207857 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 The brake switch would be behind the drivers lower dash panels in the air manifold (atleast I think so). I dont think this will be something you can repair in the yard. In fact, I dont think there is anything that can be repaired or replaced on the M Drive/ I Shift outside of a dealer. On a side note, we have 3 IShifts (mdrive) on the ground being replaced. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-207867 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack Doctor Jr. Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 Y are the being replaced? I thought these were good transmissions? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-207942 Share on other sites More sharing options...
2stacksuperdog Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Volvo engineering at its best.......cant beat an old mack 5 speed 2 Quote Matt Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-207943 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Y are the being replaced? I thought these were good transmissions?Usually around 200,000-300,000 miles they need replaced. The only replaceable parts were the TECU, top cover, and of course the entire trans. So ANY kind of internal damage resulted in replacing the entire trans. The input shaft bearing has a end play reading of 0". So any play in the input shaft resulted in trans replacement. 7 out of 10 trans were replaced from this. Im no engineer, but having a single countershaft and an input bearing with 0 endplay sounds like trouble.Volvo just came out with partial rebuilds. 1 complete rebuild2 main case and rear case rebuild. This one doesnt come with a top cover or TECU. You would use the ones off the old trans.3 only main case rebuild. You would have to use your old rear case, top cover and TECU.I wouldnt say its a bad trans, just the fact that you cant replace 2 gears and a sliding clutch makes it different. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-208075 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Another thing is, every new trans needs programmed and the clutch calibrated to get the truck moving again. So after warranty runs out and you replace the trans at your shop, you still have to tow it to a dealer to have it programmed and calibrated. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-208077 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack Doctor Jr. Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 That programming sounds like a load of crap. They say we have 750,000 mi warranty and Iron Planet is going to flip the bill to fix it and pay for our troubles to have it picked back up. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-208124 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb502 Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I just couldnt do it, the whole reason I like a Mack trans is the triple countershaft design, an eaton double countershaft is fragile enough and now they are going to put big torque thru a single counttershaft transmission with 0 tolerance, Im out! I hear they drive great and for an owner operator that really takes care of their truck they may last but just the fact that you HAVE to go to the dealer for a clutch job makes it a no go for me, I cant see Mack being cheap on a clutch job and "calibration" and the fact the Mack has been told by Volvo that they will not support products over 15 years old means it will HAVE to be replaced by then or you will be on your own for parts and everything. 2 Quote "Any Society that would give up a little LIBERTY to gain a little SECURITY will Deserve Neither and LOSE BOTH" -Benjamin Franklin"If your gonna be STUPID, you gotta be TOUGH" "You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-208148 Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Searcy Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Has anyone ever had any issues with the M Drive? He is my situation, we bought 2 2013's off of Iron Planet. We drove to Georgia to pick them up and only brought one back. U could build air, push the yellow button in and while holding the brake put it in gear and move the truck. The next time u make a complete stop the truck would not move at all. U could mess with it buy building air and tapping the brake pedal and eventually get it to move and it would shift and fun perfect till u make a complete stop.It seemed to me there was a connection between holding the brake pedal down to let the trans shift in at a complete stop. Im not sure if there is an airline that goes from the foot valve to the trans that was causing this issue. The air app. gauge was showing it was holding air somehow and not releasing to let the truck move. the truck would go in gear but the brakes would lock the truck down like u were holding the brakes as tight as u can.The reason I ask about the trans is cause it only did this when u stop and make a gear selection and or just make a stop period. Trans shifts but the brakes are locked.It rained in Atlanta for 3 hrs straight and when it quit the guys closed the doors to go home. Under the shift selector inside the cab, disconnect the harness going to the shifter for 5 min. This will reset the TECU, but prior to that disconnect the positive and negative battery cables ((completely from the unit)) for 30 min, as this will reset/reboot the VECU and then do the shifter harness for 5 min. If there is a communication issue through the canbus line with these ECUs this processes should clear up the issues, if not head in to dealer for repair. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-208160 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 That programming sounds like a load of crap. They say we have 750,000 mi warranty and Iron Planet is going to flip the bill to fix it and pay for our troubles to have it picked back up.Warranty is PRICELESS. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-208261 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackniac Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Warranty is PRICELESS.yeah when they honor it! Quote Makniac , collector and customizer of die-cast model in 1/50th scale Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-208364 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullhusk Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Put a Allison in it! I was up at Horwith Freightliner the other day lookin at there Coronado tri dumps.. 13 liter 470 hp Detroits with Allison automatics, drivers love em and they stay outta the shop! and I don't think you'll be replacing them every 2 to 300,000 mi!BULLHUSK 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-208369 Share on other sites More sharing options...
staxx Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 The grade gripper soliniod is hanging not releasing air psi Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-210156 Share on other sites More sharing options...
staxx Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 soliniod is located drivers side frame in front of fifth wheel. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-210157 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack Doctor Jr. Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 Thats what they say it is..Its still not fixed and are gonna have to call Allentown and talk to someone about what to do. May have it back next week. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-210172 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Got 2 more Ishifts on the ground needing replaced. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-210246 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack Doctor Jr. Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 Well they found a mud dobber bug in one of the air valves. It had to do with the braking system that let's tells the transmission braking to let the truck move. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-211058 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41180 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 i know volvo cars are a different company than volvo trucks but my aunt had a volvo cross country wagon that she bought used with about 150k miles on it and the automatic transmission went bad on it shortly after that , come to find out you cant rebuild the transmission you cant even open it up to look at whats wrong its a sealed unit . reminds me of the m drive, volvo garage told her she would have to buy a used tranny or a brand new one. she couldnt find a used one because all the cross countrys in the junk yards were because of blown transmissions. dont make sense to me why you would design something like that, Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-211390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 The older Volvo trans were replace only too. I've only seen a few and they were in Autocars. I cant remember what they were called. They seem to last awhile but when there is an internal problem, start looking for a new or used one. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-211415 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullhusk Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I was talkin to a Q/C driver yesterday and he was drivin one of there new ones, he said when there grossed out at 80,000 an pullin hard the trans runs hot on a hard pull and a single shaft trany it would make sense! They are new and look good but 309 Mack has a shit load of them over in there yard with or without sleepers that Q/C is not taken! And there priced right from what I'm told!BULLHUSK Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-211417 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngrace24 Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 On 10/10/2013 at 8:18 AM, Mack Doctor Jr. said: Well they found a mud dobber bug in one of the air valves. It had to do with the braking system that let's tells the transmission braking to let the truck move. Do you know which valve having the same problem Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-471913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayseed Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Ngrace24 said: Do you know which valve having the same problem You do realise you've revived a Seven & a Half year old Thread...???? Quote "Be who you are and say what you feel...Because those that matter...don't mind...And those that mind....don't matter." - Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-471918 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Hayseed said: You do realise you've revived a Seven & a Half year old Thread...???? Well you will never know if you dont ask, dont worry Ngrace24, there is never any harm in asking a question Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/32881-m-drive-issues/#findComment-471924 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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