Mechanical issues or faults often characterize automobiles, and Freightliner trucks are not an exemption in this regard. One of the minor faults of Freightliner trucks is the range inhibit. You should not be overwhelmed by this problem as it is pretty easy to fix.
However, fixing range inhibited Freightliner might sometimes require more than turning off the engine of your truck. Fixing the issue might require a more mechanical approach. And this will require you to know more about range inhibited Freightliners, their cause, and how to fix it.
What is Range Inhibition?
If you are familiar with Freightliner trucks, you will often notice a break in gear transmission when driving. This might be quite frustrating if you do not know how to fix it. It is a common and minor problem many Freightliner experience. In fact, I wouldn’t consider it a mechanical problem.
You might be driving through the street or a highway, and you notice your Freightliner isn’t driving anymore, despite being in drive gear. You might also notice a reduction in gear, probably from gear 6 to 5. As this occurs, you will notice a light displaying on your dashboard saying ‘range inhibited.’
This situation might surprise newbie Freightliner drivers but should be a common one for experienced drivers. When this occurs, it simply means your gears are being confused with each other. It occurs when there is an issue with your Freightliner truck transmission.
The transmission system thinks the engine RPM is too low or too high to shift gears safely. It might also mean the transmission sensor is faulty or there is a breach in the wire connection. It develops trouble shifting gears.
It slips gear while driving and also pops transmission into neutral on its own accord. These are basically what you will experience when driving a range inhibited Freightliner.
What Causes Range Inhibition?
There are several causes of range inhibit in your Freightliner. You should know what caused this problem in your truck before trying to fix it. Here are some causes of range inhibit in Freightliners;
- Leak in transmission fluid: This is one of the common causes of range inhibit in trucks. When there is a leak in transmission fluid, the hydraulic pressure needed to change and maintain gears during drive reduces. It will result in gear slipping to lower gears or neutral.
- Faulty sensor or wire connection: We cannot overestimate the essence of electrical components in vehicles. If the transmission sensor is faulty, there will be a problem of maintaining and changing gears. An inappropriate wire connection can also cause a malfunction of the transmission.
- Mechanical wear and tear: Friction is also one of the factors that constitute problems in vehicles. If you are using your Freightliner truck for a while, you should expect a reduction in the efficiency of the vehicle. Range inhibit can occur as a result of wear and tear of mechanical parts of your Freightliner.
- Cracked transmission valve: If your Freightliner transmission valve becomes cracked, you might experience range inhibit. You might need to change the valve for your Freightliner to work well.
There are several other causes of range inhibit in Freightliners. You need to know the cause of range inhibit in your Freightliner to know the right step to fix it.
How to Fix Range Inhibited Freightliners
There are several ways you can fix range inhibited Freightliners. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can fix this issue in your Freightliner truck.
Turning it Off
This fix is the most common way to fix range inhibited Freightliners. All you need to do is turn off your Freightliner engine and turn it back on. It is a simple way to reset the operation of your transmission system and get your vehicle back to the road.
Using Gears
This fix needs you to follow a series of steps in the proper sequence. The first thing to do is to pull the parking brake. You then put your transmission gear in neutral and then put it back slowly into drive while holding your parking brake. This fix should solve the problem and get your truck back to its activities.
Repair and Replace
This fix is a more complicated and professional one. It will need you to repair or replace faulty parts of the vehicle. You might need to change parts like the transmission valve, transmission sensor, wire connection, etc. After replacing these parts, your truck can get back on its feet fully healthy.
Adding Fluid
Sometimes, the problem with transmission failure is the transmission fluid. The fluid might need replacement or refilling. You should either replace or refill your transmission fluid to get your truck working. In case you are using the wrong fluid, you should completely replace it with the manufacturer-supported one.
After taking these steps and the problem continues to persist, you might need to visit a mechanic or a professional to help you get it fixed. Visit a trusted expert or your manufacturer to help you fix this problem.
Conclusion
Fixing your range inhibited Freightliner should not be a problem. It only requires you to take simple coordinated steps and actions to get your trucking working back. Per adventure you couldn’t get it fixed, you should visit a professional or expert to help you out.