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The electric water fill valve is stuck open

During the last two days of my very recent inaugural trip to Yellowstone in my U-320 the water system was inoperative because the water fill valve was stuck open.  I disconnected both switches (one in utility bay, and one in bathroom) but the "open" light was still on and the valve was open.  The excellent post by Tim Fielder detaining his experiences led me to believe that I had trash in my valve, so since we were on our way home anyway we knew we could get by without running water for a little while.

I just now removed the offending valve, and I discovered that it truly is receiving power from somewhere, even though both switches are disconnected.  Now, this may be another self-inflicted problem, for I found that with 4 adults in the coach for a 15-day trip somebody is always pushing buttons they should not be pushing.

So, my question is, from where else could this solenoid be getting power, commanding the valve to be open?

I must admit that it is tempting to just install a manual valve in place of the solenoid valve, but I am trying to resist my normal duct tape and bailing wire repair methods.

Glen
Glen Kenney
Colmesneil, Tx
Former owner of
1997 40' U320
Build # 5099

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #1 –
Those switches do not directly control the water fill solenoid.  They operate a latching relay that is located behind the white fiberglass cover in the drivers side day in front of the utility bay.  They look a bit like larger gray breakers.  To find out which is which have someone turn the water pump on and off while you watch the relay.  The other one is the water fill.  Apply power to it and see if it turns off then on again when power is again applied.  Let us know the result.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #2 –
Howdy Glen, 
    On our '00 U320, there is three water fill switches.  In addition to the two you described, there is one in the right hand cabinet directly under the galley sink.  This switch is fairly hard to see.
We had our coach for several months, before we ran across this switch.
Good Luck, Dave A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #3 –
I built a manual valve replacement for the solenoid assembly.  So I can quickly swap it out if the valve fails for whatever reason.

I've used it twice in 7 years.  Works great.
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #4 –
The new valve has a manual bypass that allows you to turn it manually.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #5 –
I took the easy way out and installed a manual valve. No more worries. I love simplicity.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #6 –
Thanks for all the help.  I'm working this issue now.

Dave, when I saw your post my heart sunk that the issue could be that I overlooked a switch.  I searched and searched, but so far I've not found another switch.

Keith, I think I've isolated the latching relay.  I removed it, and have another relay ordered.  I'll know in a couple of days when it arrived.

John, what is this new valve of which you speak?  Sounds like what I need.  I know that with Pex and PVC it is possible to make almost any configuration of block valves and bypasses, but if a smaller simple factory-engineered solution exists I'd like to investigate it.

Joe and Harvey, I may eventually just replace it with a manual valve, but I want to keep it factory stock as long as I can.  I'm trying to resist being my normal self.

Glen
Glen Kenney
Colmesneil, Tx
Former owner of
1997 40' U320
Build # 5099

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #7 –
If fill valve stuck open - short term fix is to go to Home center, and buy a hose end that has shut off.  in that way you can close off the hose without any modifications allowing water pressure to build normal in the system. I used mine for a few days in that mode.

Tim
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #8 –
Hello Everybody,

I'm new to this forum and when searching I ran across this thread on the water fill valve.

Can someone please tell me what the water fill valve is or does?
I have a couple of WFV switches in my new (2003 new to me) coach and am wondering what the water fill valve does.
Is it for filling the fresh water holding tank  when the coach is hooked up to city water?

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –
Hello Everybody,

I'm new to this forum and when searching I ran across this thread on the water fill valve.

Can someone please tell me what the water fill valve is or does?
I have a couple of WFV switches in my new (2003 new to me) coach and am wondering what the water fill valve does.
Is it for filling the fresh water holding tank  when the coach is hooked up to city water?




Yes, you are correct.  To fill the tank you open the water fill valve, and the city water flows into the tank.  Now, in order to pump the water from the tank to the coach's water system, the WFV must be closed.  If the valve is left open, the coach's water pump just recirculates the water back into the tank.

I finally got a look at the plumbing to see how it works when I had to remove some of the coverings to get to my water fill valve.

By the way, welcome aboard.  This group is a fantastic resource to those of us new to our motorhome.

Glen
Glen Kenney
Colmesneil, Tx
Former owner of
1997 40' U320
Build # 5099

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #10 –
I went through a number of ball valve configurations to try to create a manual shut off but had plumbing joint issues - they all leaked.  Found a Shark Bite ball valve: http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-1-2-in-Brass-Push-to-Connect-Ball-Valve-22222-0000LF/202270642  Got this and put in line until I could remove, take apart and clean out the Water fill Valve.  Ours just had some small pebbles in it keeping the valve open.  Once cleaned out and reinstalled - all is good.  The repaired/cleaned out the valve was reinstalled in it's original position.  I also used a shark bite connector and removed the ball valve.  I now have it as a spare.  I also have a couple of 1/2" connector shark bites and pex tubing for future issues.  I found a thread here describing the valve removal and clean out.

Thanks to Roland B for my shark bite education.  ;D

Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #11 –
Glockjock,  thanks for the info.

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #12 –
Thanks to all of the comments I was able to solve my water pump issue.  My pump was coming off and on.  The last thing I did before the problem was fill my fresh water tank.  So with the pump on I toggled the valve switch a few times and the issue got better. The pump stayed off longer.  Their might have been garbage in the valve.  I am still going to check the back flow valve on my hose reel when I get home.  Is it on the end of the hose at the reel?  Where can I get one if needed.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #13 –
The check valve is at the rear of the utility bay just before the hose reel.  I got mine at FT but any good plumbing store should be able to match it.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #14 –
Our check valve was behind the water manifold cover close to the bay floor.  The gray cover is usually held in place by 4 or 5 #2 square drive screws.  I replaced ours with a 1/2" Shark Bite check valve.

I also cleaned out the Fresh Water Solenoid and removed numerous small pebbles.  System has worked as designed for some time now.  ;D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
Our check valve was behind the water manifold cover close to the bay floor. 

Scott,

The location of the check valve varies with coach year.  Brett has the same year coach as John and Carmen, so his location would be the first to check.

In an '02 like yours, I've seen a couple of responses where it was at the base of the manabloc.  In our '03, it is behind the utility bay wall, near where the water line goes to the hose reel.  Requires disassembly of the utility bay wall in an '03.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320
 

Re: The electric water fill valve is stuck open

Reply #16 –
Michelle - Yep - ours is under the Manibloc.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320