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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: jmblake on June 12, 2016, 06:29:59 PM

Title: B400 retarder question
Post by: jmblake on June 12, 2016, 06:29:59 PM
We just got back from another short trial trip this weekend and I got the retarder wired up before we left and on the way it wouldn't work so I figured I had missed something, then we started home today and was coming upon a stop light and wala it was working ??? Didn't do anything to it to make it work so I don't know could it have had a air pocket in the fluid ??? The transmission did set for several months with no oil and the retarder accumulator was drained also, I just don't know why it started working all of a sudden. Then another question it seems like it doesn't come one like the jake did as soon as you let off the fuel peddle. it seems to have a bout a 10 second delay from the time you let off the peddle till it comes on. also does the air line need a regulator on it that goes to the accumulator?
I just don't remember how it acted when I brought the donner bus home about 4 months ago, getting old I guess lol
Thanks Jason
Title: Re: B400 retarder question
Post by: HB of CJ on June 12, 2016, 06:42:47 PM
Sometimes they can be wired up through the brake light circuit?  That would mean for it to work one would have to step on the brake pedal?

Don't retarders, regardless of type, now need to wired up through the brake lights so that when they are operating the brakes lights come on?
Title: Re: B400 retarder question
Post by: LuckyChow on June 12, 2016, 06:46:31 PM
That's an option in the transmission computer.  I don't know if there's a legal issue or not.  Mine activates the brake lights, but the ones at work do not.  They operate a "decel" pair of lights.
Title: Re: B400 retarder question
Post by: jmblake on June 12, 2016, 07:04:38 PM
I know mine isn't wired into the brake lights.
Jason
Title: Re: B400 retarder question
Post by: Scott & Heather on June 13, 2016, 04:07:35 AM
Jason, I can't speak specifically for your tranny but our 748 retarder does indeed have an air regulator and it needs to be adjusted correctly. I don't know the air pressure spec but ours was set incorrectly and the retarder wasn't disengaging and I was forced to turn the regulator pressure down to zero effectively disabling the retarder. I don't have time to sort out the issue right now so I'll be tackling that project next year likely.


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