Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Gegabyte on January 05, 2020, 03:00:27 pm

Title: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Gegabyte on January 05, 2020, 03:00:27 pm
I have been doing a lot of reading but I have not come across a situation exactly like mine.  On my trip back from FL (after having to replace my lift pump AND injector pump), I noticed that my HWH leveling system would not engage at the camp site.  I would press the button twice, hear a solenoid back toward the middle of the coach engage and immediately disengage without leveling. I was level so I didn't give it another thought.  Next day went into travel mode no problem.  When I got home, the HWH would not level, same symptoms, but now I'm definitely not level.  I heard air leaking from rear of the coach (ride height valve).  Rubber cover missing and air pouring out.  I covered the bottom of the valve with my palm and air decreased but still leaking.  Tried to level one more time and it worked.  Brought it to storage and same thing, won't level.  Both rear ride height valves are leaking from the bottom and HWH will not engage.  It will ride in travel mode but that's it.  Do I need new valves?  Is that what is keeping HWH from engaging?  Also, on the last day of travel home, I noticed the front of the coach bouncing much more than usual.  Any theories would be greatly appreciated.  Anything I can do myself would be helpful as I just spent 8 coach bucks on fuel pumps.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: kimosabe99 on January 05, 2020, 04:16:49 pm
Since ride height valves are leaking and rubber covers are gone, if they are very old, I'd replace them.  I would check all ground wires fro solenoid valves on 6 packs and clean them up.  Also check 6 packs for plugged exhaust ports.  In the coach, check your modular plugs between control pad and HWH box.  Check plugs and reseat fuses in the control box next.  If that is no help, go on to the more serious stuff.

jk
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Jerry Whiteaker on January 06, 2020, 11:50:30 am
My understanding of the ride height valve when working properly and nothing is wrong is that they exhaust air out of the bottom of the valve when the ride height becomes too high.  When in the level mode that valve should not be exhausting air.  Maybe a solenoid valve is bad.  When in the travel mode if the ride height is correct and no air leaking from any of the 3 ride height valves, the ride height valves should be good.  The cover is just there to keep dirt out of the valve.  If missing the valve may still be okay.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Gegabyte on January 06, 2020, 11:44:27 pm
That is good information, the ride height is good in travel mode.  When the engine is off  both ride height valves exhaust and they bleed the pressure down to zero pretty quickly.  I just assumed they were bad, maybe they aren't.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: jbeem on January 07, 2020, 09:50:09 am
Just replaced my ride height valve about 3 months ago because when I was in travel mode the left rear valve would leak air continuously and would never get to correct ride height and level alarm would not go off.  This is not what is happening to you.  Yours sounds like the travel solenoid in the six pack is leaking as no air should be going to the ride height valve when in leveling mode.  You can check the solenoids first, but it a normally closed valve so very doubtful.  You may have some sort of junk (Teflon tape?) blocking it from closing completely or you need to rebuild it.  It is easy to do, just rebuilt my rear six pack about a month ago and you can order the six pack repair kit from someone on the forum.  Just do a search for six pack rebuild kit. 
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: jbeem on January 07, 2020, 10:00:58 am
That is good information, the ride height is good in travel mode.  When the engine is off  both ride height valves exhaust and they bleed the pressure down to zero pretty quickly.  I just assumed they were bad, maybe they aren't.  Thank you.

After rereading the above statement, it could also be something in the HWH computer as it seems unlikely that both travel mode solenoids would have something blocking them from closing.  Check to see if the travel solenoids are getting power when you are in leveling mode.  They shouldn't be.  If they are then you have a computer problem.  If they aren't getting power in leveling mode then you need to rebuild or clean valves in six pack, and if you are going to take it apart, you might as well rebuild as it is relatively inexpensive if you buy the rebuild kit from Tom.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Gegabyte on January 07, 2020, 08:58:28 pm
The system will not go into leveling mode.  When parked with brake on and I try to engage leveling, all the LEDs light up for a split second and then all go out, I can hear a clicking sound, like a relay or solenoid engage (sounds like its coming from the middle of the coach) and then immediately disengage.  Nothing happens after that.  No lights or alarms.  When coach is started the pressure will build to max and then exhaust as usual, green travel light comes on and I'm ready to go.  The problem occurs when trying to level at the camp site.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: craneman on January 07, 2020, 09:12:58 pm
The same symptoms I had and had to have the controller repaired. The parts list showed diodes and some other parts replaced.

HWH not working (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=38362.msg372913#msg372913)
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: jbeem on January 08, 2020, 09:01:33 am
I would check the fuses in the HWH boxes and if you don't find anything then you should call HWH.  It sounds like something has gone in the HWH circuit boards.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: FourTravelers on January 08, 2020, 09:15:49 am
The system will not go into leveling mode.  When parked with brake on and I try to engage leveling, all the LEDs light up for a split second and then all go out, I can hear a clicking sound, like a relay or solenoid engage (sounds like its coming from the middle of the coach) and then immediately disengage.  Nothing happens after that.  No lights or alarms.  When coach is started the pressure will build to max and then exhaust as usual,

When this happens, what is the pressure reading on your gauges?
Sounds as if there isn't enough pressure to satisfy the HWH when asked  to go into level mode.
Just a thought.........
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: craneman on January 08, 2020, 10:46:11 am
Go to the link in reply #7 The same symptoms word for word. It is the box.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Gegabyte on March 11, 2020, 01:13:24 pm
Just to update this thread.  I sent my control board to HWH, they repaired it and sent it back.  The leveling system now works and will engage as it should, but the rear ride height valves still exhaust with the coach off and level system on.  HWH had me level out the coach, turn the coach off and then turn the ignition to ON.  The HWH returned to travel mode but the rear ride height valve still exhausting air.  It seems as though the ride height valves are bad. 
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: John Duld on March 11, 2020, 05:03:12 pm
Gegabyte,
Are you sure that both rear ride height control valves are venting?
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Gegabyte on March 12, 2020, 06:51:29 am
Originally, before the board was repaired, both were venting.  Now, it appears that only the driver's side valve is venting.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: John Duld on March 12, 2020, 10:14:06 am
Morning Gegabyte,
Sounds like the right side ride height control valve is ok.
When in travel mode is the long rod in the ride height control valve linkage horizontal to the payment? Are all four corners at proper travel height? If so that linkage and valve position is probably ok.
Looks like the venting is coming from the supply side because air tank pressure goes down. Think I would try a new left ride height control valve.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: jbeem on March 12, 2020, 10:58:57 am
If you are in travel mode and the ride height control valve is continually leaking then it is bad.  If you are in level mode and it is leaking then you may have a bad travel solenoid in six pack.

Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on March 12, 2020, 11:16:35 am
I bought a aftermarket leveling valve back in November to have as a spare for about $45 00.
I went to the website to post the link for you but the price is now $124.99.

Here's a link to the only aftermarket one I can find now at a reasonable price;

Amazon.com: One Haldex Syle Leveling Valve 90555105 for Trucks Trailers 1/4"... (https://www.amazon.com/Haldex-Leveling-90555105-Trucks-Trailers/dp/B0089E0PJ0)

HTH
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Gegabyte on March 12, 2020, 08:14:30 pm
Thank you for the link and all the information.  The valve definitely leaks in travel mode.  FOT quoted me $172.71.  Should I go ahead and change all of them while I'm at it?
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Doug W. on March 12, 2020, 08:45:54 pm
Thank you for the link and all the information.  The valve definitely leaks in travel mode.  FOT quoted me $172.71.  Should I go ahead and change all of them while I'm at it?


Not a bad idea to replace all three.

90555105 by HALDEX - Type EGP - An Immediate Response Height Control Valve (https://www.finditparts.com/products/363887/haldex-90555105?srcid=CHL01SCL010-Npla-Dmdt-Gusa-Svbr-Mmuu-K363887-L134&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxPyHg5uW6AIVaCCtBh2G6gysEAsYASABEgKCvvD_BwE)
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: John Duld on March 13, 2020, 11:10:25 am
I think I would carry a spare valve.
You can spend a lot of money fixing things that aren't broke.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Twig on March 13, 2020, 08:59:49 pm
Don't buy a plastice valve if you can help it. The mounting holes don't line up.
Replacement Air Ride Height Control Valve 90554241 Immediate Response | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement-Air-Ride-Height-Control-Valve-90554241-Immediate-Response/281451068023?epid=869116157&hash=item4187ca7a77:g:kgEAAOSwxH1UJV7Q)
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: jbeem on March 13, 2020, 09:23:38 pm
You don't need to replace all three.  Just carry a spare.  I replaced one of mine almost a year ago and have not had any problems with the others yet.
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Peter on January 05, 2021, 09:06:13 pm
I want to purchase some extra replacement ride height valves..just in case. 
Does any one have a link etc to purchasing these exact kind?? I presume they are immediate response valves
Below is a pic of what mine look like in my 98 U320
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Doug W. on January 06, 2021, 09:32:32 am

Does any one have a link etc to purchasing these exact kind?? I presume they are immediate response valves
Below is a pic of what mine look like in my 98 U320

Reply #18
Title: Re: Ride Height Valves
Post by: Ldillow on January 06, 2021, 02:56:20 pm
I plan on changing mine out, just because they are 21 years old.
Won't toss the old ones, may look for rebuild kit for them as spares, or sell