Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

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Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

May 17, 2012, 08:47:22 pm

Ok, we just completed our first weekend night out in the coach and everything went really well. Took a little learning curve on the new Sat antenna to get it figured but a 30 minute phone call later and all was well.

The one question I have now is the Leveling System dash light seems to be illuminated all the time when the coach is running. Pressure front and rear appears fine (hovers around 100psi). Otherwise system seems to work great. Levels out quickly and did not seem to adjust at all during the evening. (Windows were open all night) So I'm a bit perplexed. Any ideas out there?

Forgot about the fuel gauge, seems to have a mind of it's own. constantly bouncing from full to empty even after filling. I'm thinking there may be a bad sending unit. Any ideas on the difficulty level of replacing?

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #1 – May 17, 2012, 09:54:40 pm

What year and model coach? Slide or no slide? Is the HWH travel mode light green?

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #2 – May 17, 2012, 10:09:03 pm

Welcome to the ForeForum.

It would be a great idea to go in and update your signature to show what coach you have. That way, when you have a question, we will be able to zero in on it.

Thanks.

Brett

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #3 – May 17, 2012, 11:01:33 pm

Maybe it is the travel light that is green and should be on all the time while driving. Also if you do not shut the level syrtem off when parled it will show a red light. Yours (depending on yr and model) may have auto level so it adjusts if need be every 30 mins or so. I switch mine of and do a level when I think it needs it
John H

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #4 – May 18, 2012, 07:15:09 am

2001 U295 40' with slide out. I've been searching like crazy thinking there may be a leak somewhere even though there are no symptoms other than the dash light. The control panel for the leveling system itself operates normally with no adjustments after it's finally settled. Goes into travel mode as soon as the gear is engaged.

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #5 – May 18, 2012, 07:27:21 am

Thanks for the coach info.
Question: when the engine is running, slides are pulled in and you hit the travel mode button, does the green travel mode button come on and stay on or does it come on and then go off? Does the level system light stay on above the tach and speed indicator on the dash?

If yes to both, give a call to HWH and tell them your slide and auto leveling system number. We are having the same issue and between FOT and HWH, it's been determined it the slide computer. You or FOT can remove the computer and send it to HWH. They will run tests and update and send it back to you

HWH service number is 1 800 321 3494.

Call FOT tech as well. Where are you located?

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #6 – May 18, 2012, 08:34:21 am

Quote from: txforetravel – May 18, 2012, 07:27:21 am

Thanks for the coach info.
Question: when the engine is running, slides are pulled in and you hit the travel mode button, does the green travel mode button come on and stay on or does it come on and then go off? Does the level system light stay on above the tach and speed indicator on the dash?

If yes to both, give a call to HWH and tell them your slide and auto leveling system number. We are having the same issue and between FOT and HWH, it's been determined it the slide computer. You or FOT can remove the computer and send it to HWH. They will run tests and update and send it back to you

HWH service number is 1 800 321 3494.

Call FOT tech as well. Where are you located?

Might want to clarify this: "does the green travel mode button come on and stay on or does it come on and then go off?"

Posting what it SHOULD do and then the "needs work" conditions would be great.

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #7 – May 18, 2012, 08:39:51 am

I'm in Fort Lauderdale, FL. I figured there had to be something in software. Also, after inspecting in the garage area it looks like the HVH system has been worked on before with the box open and cover off. Will take picture later.
I have not pushed the off mode before putting in gear. Perhaps this is my mistake? System always goes into travel mode (and stays there) as soon as the transmission is engaged so did not think that was necessary so I will try that this weekend. (Race Weekend)

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #8 – May 18, 2012, 09:50:26 am

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #9 – May 18, 2012, 10:26:00 am

Instruction manuals for HWH systems are available here: HWH Operators Manuals for Foretravel.

Our coach is 1997 with HWH leveling (air bags) and no slides. When the engine is running, an alarm sounds if the HWH system is not in "Travel" mode. We must manually turn the system off, and air pressure must be up to be in "Travel" mode. The green "Travel" light remains on during normal driving operations.

The button marked "Air" changes our system from "Travel" mode to leveling mode. Pressing once sets it for manual leveling. Pressing a second time enables automatic leveling. The red light next to the "Air" button remains on when the system is in manual or automatic leveling mode. When the ignition key is off, we can turn the HWH system "Off" and no lights are illuminated. It will remain level if there are no leaks in the leveling system. Our coach will usually remain level for weeks with the HWH system turned off.

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #10 – May 18, 2012, 10:53:59 am

Mini, ....are you talking about the light on the dash (by speedometer) or the light on the Level Control panel?
We have the same coach as you, so can compare if you are not "fixed" on this issue.

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #11 – May 18, 2012, 11:01:44 pm

The light in question is above the tach. I tried watching the travel mode light on the leveling controls but still not comfortable trying to watch it and drive. Seems to stay on though. (green)

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #12 – May 19, 2012, 07:04:40 pm

Ok. When I get everything as it should be to drive, as I recall, the dash light goes out. Since my coach is not home to check, I cannot verify that. I called a friend with a coach though like ours (1999) and he says that his goes out. I think thought hat if the control panel is not in the travel mode (panel green light) then the dash light would be on. For example, if I have to raise the coach (you can, driving very slowly), then the travel mode light on the control panel is off and dash light is on to let me know something is amiss. I think it even lights up if the slide was out.

I wish I could tell you what else triggers that dash light, but I am fairly certain that it is not on during regular driving.

I will be out with a FT mechanic Monday. You want me to ask what might be causing that? Mike

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #13 – May 19, 2012, 07:23:07 pm

My friend Duane called to offer this. He had an air leveler valve fail and that triggered the light. The valve can be purchased from NAPA. I guess you would go out and look, see if one are of the coach is out of level. Per Duane, there is by the air bag and rod about 8 - 10 inches long that works off of the valve to signal air needs to be put in or out. He says the valve in about 2 inches by 1 inch by .5 inch.

I am not saying to jerk out such, for I may not be repeating well what he is offering you. But he has seen this happen twice, once with him and another with a friend. To the point he carried spare of the valve.

If other members can weigh in on this, maybe they will say this is worth checking or not likely. I can only think that maybe you could look and see if one corner of the coach looks out of whack and that might be the valve to try?

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #14 – May 19, 2012, 07:29:36 pm

Sounds like Mike is describing the RIDE HEIGHT VALVE. A very common item on RV and OTR trucks-- anything with an air suspension.

You have three-- two on the rear axle, one on the front.

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #15 – May 19, 2012, 08:15:44 pm

We've had an intermittent level system light when one of the slide "room in" magnetic sensors was misaligned and not giving the "thumbs up" on the slide being in (it would alarm over bumps).

I think on the older systems (2002 and earlier?) there may also be a sensor for the slide lock pins (at least these are mentioned in the Foretravel-specific HWH manuals Dave mentioned (look at the ones that mention room locks in their title).

Michelle

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #16 – June 01, 2012, 11:46:48 am

Ok, sorry I haven't been on for awhile. It has given me a chance to go through all the manuals to make sure I'm operating everything properly. (Yeah, yeah, its a guy thing. Try first then read the manual)
After playing with everything to make sure I'm operating it properly and checking those few items I could get to over a race weekend, it appears that everything is being operated/operating properly. System levels, stays level. Slide goes in/out fully and locks in place. Green light for travel mode, goes on and stays on. So either I'm looking a Board controller issue or a sensor issue. I tend to shy away from the sensor issue since the coach levels itself quickly for both travel and park conditions. If a sensor was bad I don't think the system would be operating this quickly. I've had no audible alarms either which would mean the system would be receiving a bad read as well from a sensor.
That's why I'm leaning toward the board being the issue. Looks like it will be July before I can take the Coach out of service long enough to remove the Board to send it in. Thank you for the information link.
I will update as soon as I complete the next steps.

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #17 – June 01, 2012, 12:20:00 pm

Quote from: minibeast – June 01, 2012, 11:46:48 am

... Looks like it will be July before I can take the Coach out of service long enough to remove the Board to send it in. ...

I recommend that you document all the symptoms, and call the HWH help line. If you can call from the coach, that might be a benefit. The HWH expert may ask some questions that would be best answered if you are in the coach. If user service possibilities are exhausted, he will give you a reference number and further instructions.

A pin connection failed on our controller. The specific point of failure was not apparent from "user" tests. Per HWH instructions, we sent the controller and keypad to them. We received the repaired unit in two weeks and the repair charges were very reasonable.

My understanding is that the warning light is on all time time that the key is on. It's possible that someone wired the warning light to a "hot" ignition wire rather than an HWH warning wire. The light's being on may have nothing at all to do with the HWH.

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #18 – June 03, 2012, 04:17:33 pm

Just did another check of the slide out and I think I've found the problem. In the manual it states that the "red" slide movement light will go out when the slide is at full extension or full retraction and to then release the movement button. My light does not go out so the sensor must not be reading.
My delivery person had originally told me "not" to keep the button depressed as it would burn up the slide motor. Now I know why.
Will call the service center Monday and see if they can talk me through the sensor replacement. Will reconnect the alarm sensor at the same time if I can locate it. Imagine it's been disconnected as well.

Re: Leveling system dash light/ Wacked out fuel gauge

Reply #19 – June 03, 2012, 05:40:30 pm

Quote from: minibeast – June 03, 2012, 04:17:33 pm

Will call the service center Monday and see if they can talk me through the sensor replacement. Will reconnect the alarm sensor at the same time if I can locate it. Imagine it's been disconnected as well.

It could be just a sensor alignment issue, too, if yours is similar to our '03. This might help as a starting point.

Level System alarm momentary on rough roads

Michelle

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