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Coach won't raise

Got in to our campsite last night, tried to level, was going to relocate in the site, but no travel light and coach won't raise nor will the air step come up. Gauge shows pressure in the tanks but seems no air is getting to the bags or the step. Probably a stuck or clogged valve preventing air flow, but unsure where to start? Any ideas?
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #1 –
First guess is protective valve.  Possibly 2 of them, one on each of front & rear air tanks. One could of failed long ago and now other failed.  They are made to shut air off at around  65 psi so you still have air for brakes.

Not sure on your coach, but there may be 4 air dump valves on Driver side wheel wells. There should be  wet, rear, front, and hwh.  After air up, they all should have air to dump.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #2 –
I just discovered that pushing the raise button raises the front end but cannot raise the rear if that helps to diagnose
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #3 –
I have air in the tanks, it's just not getting to the air step and now the rear won't raise
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #5 –
Gauge is showing full pressure about 120
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #6 –
Quote from: mikerox –
I have air in the tanks, it's just not getting to the air step and now the rear won't raise
When problems are encountered with the leveling system, my first suggestion is always the same - follow the trouble shooting steps in the HWH manual.  Link below:

https://hwhcorp.com/ml11148.pdf
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #7 –
My wife noticed that no gauges except for the air pressure gauge and clock are working on instrument panel. Lights and dimmer are working. She says there are no coincidences and thinks it's related to our air problem.
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #8 –
Your air pressure gauge (with dual tank indicators) is pure mechanical - not electric.  The clock is electric.

Electrical problems in the dash area are often caused by a malfunctioning ignition solenoid.  Located under the lift-up dash cover, in front of driver, behind the instrument panel.  Check with multimeter.  With ignition key OFF one large post on the ignition solenoid should be HOT, and the other large post should not be HOT.  Turn the ignition key to ON and both large posts on the ignition solenoid should be HOT.  If not, the small wire running from the ignition switch to the small post on the ignition solenoid may be broken or loosely connected.

Also, check chassis battery voltage.  Low voltage can cause random electrical problems.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #9 –
I checked the solenoid per your instructions, power on one side, no power on the other side after turning key. I checked the wiring to the ignition, nothing seems loose all connections tight. Red tractor thinks bad solenoid, any relation to my air problem?
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #10 –
Quote from: mikerox –
Red tractor thinks bad solenoid, any relation to my air problem?
Possibly.  HWH leveling system requires constant stable power supply.  Wonky ignition solenoid can cause myriad problems.

Another clue (Referring back to Roxene's astute observation in Reply #7):
The clock is powered from the BATTERY side of the ignition solenoid, which in your case is HOT.
The warning lights and gauges are powered from the OTHER (ignition) side of the ignition solenoid, which in your case is DEAD.

Also, guess where the air step control solenoid gets its power?  Answer: the ignition (DEAD) side of the ignition solenoid.

Forum recommended replacement ignition solenoid is the Cole Hersee 24213.

Amazon.com: Cole Hersee 24213 12V 200A Continuous Solenoid : Automotive
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"
 

Re: Coach won't raise

Reply #11 –
An update on our air problem, I replaced the ignition solenoid under the dash cover, all gauges working, HWH system is working normally now, air step is working. Learned a good lesson from this. Kudos to my DW for realizing the gauges weren't working which led me to ask about about that here. Many thanks to Red Tractor, Chuck, Turbojack, and Mike Rash for their phone consultations to help me with this problem. Gotta love this group!!
Michael & Roxene, Aussie the wonder dog & his daughter Luna the lunatic.
1993 Grand Villa Unihome 280 build #4203
36' 8.3 Cummins 300 hp- 2001 Chevrolet Tracker toad