Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: goldbehen on July 23, 2016, 12:28:15 pm

Title: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: goldbehen on July 23, 2016, 12:28:15 pm
I had a bus repair shop install a haldex valve on the right rear. Fixed the leak I had but now the auto level is off. Looking at the new level I don't see much option for adjustment. I tried to re level this morning but again had the same result.
Any guidance to avoid another trip to the shop would be appreciated. As an aside I'm going to road test all future repairs before accepting. Seems like I'm always going back to re repair stuff not done right the first time.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 23, 2016, 12:34:45 pm
I'm not clear 'bout what you had replaced.  Was it the height control valve?
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: goldbehen on July 23, 2016, 01:12:41 pm
Yes it's the height control valve .
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: Doug W. on July 23, 2016, 01:15:08 pm
Besides the obvious Linkage rod adjustment  on the Haldex ride height control valve.
There is an internal adjustment setting for the neutral position.....
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: goldbehen on July 23, 2016, 03:35:55 pm
The valve I have looks different. I'll post a picture when I get a chance. The one it replaced was the one shown with the adjustment instructions
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: goldbehen on July 24, 2016, 10:23:34 am
The valve body is plastic and mounted in the same place. Hopefully the shop can figure out how to make it work. I took pictures on my my iPad. Don't see how to post them directly from the iPad. If someone knows let me know and I'll attach them.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: Doug W. on July 24, 2016, 03:40:54 pm
You should also ask the shop if it's an immediate response or a standard flow valve. Our coaches came equipped with immediate response valves....I'm not 100% sure what the difference is though, except the obvious wording. Probably a good idea to have 2 of the same on that rear axle.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: John44 on July 24, 2016, 04:37:27 pm
Let us know what shop it was so we know not to go there,did'nt they even check the work.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: goldbehen on July 24, 2016, 05:02:52 pm
I'll give them a chance to make it right. May have to look over their shoulder while they're doing it. It's American bus company in Annapolis Maryland. Charged 2 hr labor for the installation.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: JohnFitz on July 24, 2016, 07:39:27 pm
You said the HWH leveling (used when parked) is "off"?  Does that mean the HWH thinks it's made the coach level but it's not (and remains tilted a bit)?  Any errors on the HWH panel?  Other than being "off", does the HWH seem to work otherwise?

My understanding of the HWH is that the Ride Height valve plays no role in the leveling of the coach when parked.  It's only role comes into play when in "travel" mode.  The HWH 6 pack switched out the Ride Height valve when leveling (while parked) and switches it in when in travel mode.

If the coach travels down the road with the air bags at the right height, the Ride Height valves are doing their job.  My guess the issue is elsewhere  - like in the HWH leveling sensor.  Could it have been bumped or otherwise disturbed around the same time as the Ride  Height valve was changed out?

Maybe this has already been done, but with any service or change to the ride height valves I would check the shops work myself by verifying of the ride height at each wheel location.  Attached is a procedure specific to Foretravel.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 24, 2016, 09:01:47 pm
When the OP originally posted about having a ride height valve replaced, then said the coach was not level, I assumed he was talking about level in travel mode.  I may have been completely wrong in that assumption.  If so, then I appologize for leading the discussion off on the wrong path.  I guess we need clarification from the OP as to exactly what problem he is experiencing.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: goldbehen on July 25, 2016, 02:22:05 pm
Sorry for the confusion. The auto level is off side to side but level front to back. Just got back from a trip. I didn't notice a difference in handling. I'll measure the corners in travel mode. When I got back I tried auto level again and it was tilted to one side. I see the point that the height adjustment valve shouldn't affect the auto leveling. Could be coincidental. No error lights.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 25, 2016, 02:51:03 pm
I'm just want to be sure we are all on the same page now...

If you are rolling straight down a level highway, with the green "TRAVEL" light showing on the HWH touch panel, and the coach is leaning to one side, THAT problem could be due to the new rear Height Control Valve being improperly mounted or adjusted.

If you are stationary, parked, engine off, with the HWH system ON, the touch panel in AUTO LEVEL mode, and the HWH system "thinks" it is level but actually coach is leaning to one side, THAT has nothing to do with the Height Control Valve.  Either the Level Sensing Unit has somehow been disturbed and requires adjustment, or you have a problem with the leveling system.

See link below for Level Sensing Unit adjustment:

Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: goldbehen on July 25, 2016, 04:53:45 pm
Looks like a reasonable adjustment . Need to find the sensor first. On a positive note the valve seems to have corrected my air leak.
I'll report back once I do the adjustment.
Title: Re: Had a level check valve installed, now auto leveling isn't accurate
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on July 25, 2016, 06:57:03 pm
Possible locations: on the floor under the fold-out couch,  or on the floor in the bottom of one of the kitchen cabinets (have to pull the bottom drawers out to look), or hanging from the "ceiling" of one of your storage bays.  There may be other locations, but that's all that comes to mind.

By the way, the HWH manual shows the level sensing unit "hanging" below some panel.  The unit can also be mounted on a horizontal surface (like the floor) facing up.  It must be supported by the springs either way.  There should always be some "play" in the springs - never tighten the mounting screws down all the way.