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Topic: HWH level issues (Read 806 times) previous topic - next topic

HWH level issues

I have been lucky and never had any issues with my leveling system. This weekend I went to the race track,coach leveled fine, but when I would load or unload my race car I had to raise the rear and lower the front to get the trailer at the proper angle. The system worked fine. After I was done with moving the race car I would relevel the coach, everything worked fine. Now i'm loaded up and ready to go home and the travel light is on but the RF air bags stay full, I dump air, raise air, shut nown system, now the LF air stay full, I keep trying everything I can think of and now the system seems OK. I don't know what I did to make it work, But its working. I drive home 150 miles on rough rolling roads, no problem. I get home and I have to raise the coach to get it in the driveway without the trailer scraping, no problem, works fine, but now the LF airbags stay full. I am able to get parked and hit the level button twice like I always do and it levels perfect. Any ideas appreciated, I hope to have it fixed so I can go back racing next weekend. Mark
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #1 –
Maybe a clogged exhaust air port in the six pack?  Or a faulty connection or solenoid in the six pack?  I would start with a volt meter and make sure the dump signal is making it to the dump solenoid on the HWH front six pack.

Although it is kind of weird that the air bag would remain full when the travel light is on. Assuming you were on somewhat level ground The ride heigh valve should have let the air out the bag.  I would also check the bottom of the ride height valve to make sure it is not partially clogged.
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #2 –
The ride height valve only lets air in or out of the airbags through the travel solenoids which are powered open when the green travel light is on.
Only one ride height valve for the front so a ride height valve problem would effect both sides.
It sounds like the left travel solenoid is either blocked by something or it is not functioning when power is applied or it's not getting power.
Have you checked the fuses in the HWH computer ?
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #3 –
Since I recently had a similar problem, I am guessing you need to do a rebuild on the 6 pack solenoids.  There are 3 o-rings in each solenoid and they may be getting old and cracking allowing air to pass when it should not.  Tom McCloud has been selling a kit with new plungers, springs, o-rings, and tool for $120.  tom@newellgurus.com  If you want to go the expensive route you can get FT parts to order a complete new 6 pack; everything but the pressure switches.  Best to remove the 6 pack disassemble. inspect, before ordering.  Make sure to label all the wiring before disconnecting, 8 connectors for the front, and 7 for the rear.  Edit: Label the air lines too.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Jerry Whiteaker –
Since I recently had a similar problem, I am guessing you need to do a rebuild on the 6 pack solenoids.  There are 3 o-rings in each solenoid and they may be getting old and cracking allowing air to pass when it should not.  Tom McCloud has been selling a kit with new plungers, springs, o-rings, and tool for $120.  tom@newellgurus.com  If you want to go the expensive route you can get FT parts to order a complete new 6 pack; everything but the pressure switches.  Best to remove the 6 pack disassemble. inspect, before ordering.  Make sure to label all the wiring before disconnecting, 8 connectors for the front, and 7 for the rear.  Edit: Label the air lines too.

Also like to add.. If the outside of the manifold is deteriorated, you can have it milled so that it is back to a new clean mounting surface on the face for the solenoids.. 

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #5 –
Update. Thanks to all for the help. I checked the fuses and exhaust ports, they were OK. I had power to the travel solenoids, but one of them was not opening. I thought I could fix it without removing the six pack but soon I gave up on that idea. I got it out, the parts are not corroded the magnet part of the stuck sol. works, so tomorrow I will take it all apart and replace o-rings, etc. Years ? ago I bought a kit from Charles Avery so I think I have the parts I need. I will take a run at it tomorrow with a fresh attutide.
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #6 –
Mark,
Some solenoids are one wire (12V) and ground through the valve. Some are two wire circuits. If yours is a two wire circuit make sure you have a good ground.
JD
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #7 –
This is turning into a frustrating project. I took apart and resealed the front travel solenoids. They tested fine. Put it all back together and now my left rear wont inflate in the travel mode. I have power to the gray wire in the control box front and rear. All the manual functions work as they should. The auto leveling works perfect. I was going to check the rear travel solenoids but now it's raining. John I like you idea of bad grounds, I have two wire solenoids, I dont know where the ground point is for them. The only grounding I have found is the case of the control box. There is a heavy white wire that grounds the metal control box to somewere. I dont know where the solenoids ground at . After the rain stops I will dig into it again. Thanks all for the tips, Mark
.
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #8 –
Mark,
I think the ground wire that plugs into the solenoid goes to a chassis ground near the HWH manifold.
I don't think the ground wire goes back to the HWH computer.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #9 –
Mark,

Not to belittle your trouble shooting skills, but when members are having puzzling symptoms like yours, I always recommend going to the book.  The book being the HWH 600 Series Service Manual.  if you start on the first page, and follow the trouble shooting steps exactly as written, you may end up with a better idea of where the problem lies.  OR, you may still be totally in the dark.  At this point, sure wouldn't hurt to try it...

https://www.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: HWH level issues

Reply #10 –
Progress- I think-. I checked out the manuals and searches and help with this post and it's working now. After the rain stopped I got back under the rig and found that I did not have much magnetic pull on the left rear travel sol. I pulled the magnet part of it off and it did not ohm out like the ones that I checked on the front six pack. I switched out the bad travel magnet with the dump magnet and I think i'm fixed for now. It will be fine for now going down the road, I will just have to be carefull leveling. I think at a minimum I should replace the magnet part of all the travel solenoids, they have been on for a long time with the age and miles I have. The valve part of the solenoids and block are like new on the ones I checked. Where should I buy these? Again thanks to all who posted and many others in the past that helped me with the search function, Mark
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #11 –
Quote from: mark f –
I should replace the magnet part of all the travel solenoids, they have been on for a long time with the age and miles I have.  Where should I buy these?

Mark,
 If you don't mind splicing the wires off the old coil to the new coil (so you will have the right plug) then those coils aren't anything special. If you can find a 12VDC coil with the proper bore and length it will work. I have used a coil from a snow blower before. You can get them off the net or from one of the electrical supply companies. I use Digikey and Allied but use who you like. I have even bought coils off eBay so look around.  If you don't want to splice wires you will need to just check for proper plug from one of the same supply houses.  If you don't want to do the hunt then HWH is always an option.

Mike

Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
 

Re: HWH level issues

Reply #12 –
Thanks Mike. Now that I know that I can make it to the races this weekend a friend stopped over this evening to work on the race car. I told him about my RV HWH problems and he looked at my solenoids and he thought that he could find the part I need. They look like stuff we use for the nitrous oxide system. Why didn't I think of that- tunnel vision I guess.
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21