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Topic: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage (Read 1151 times) previous topic - next topic

Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Wow such a wonderful welcome thank you all!!!!
We were on our way to do our maiden voyage this afternoon But a glitch showed up in the travel mode the leveling system put the body down on the right side tires while the left air bags fully extended just glad it happened 50 ft in to the trip. The leveling system worked okay in park and manual but not with the brakes off then its whoopsy daisy might be me but we did put 300 miles on two weeks ago and no problems. Any ideas before I call Texas
Martin & Sandy
1996 U270 36'

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #1 –
Quote from: whirlybyrd –
a glitch showed up in the travel mode the leveling system put the body down on the right side tires while the left air bags fully extended just glad it happened 50 ft in to the trip. The leveling system worked okay in park and manual but not with the brakes off

Dang, you're fast ;)  Here's what I was going to post in the other thread:

Does it level OK in "level" mode for camping and just act up in "travel" mode?  Ride height valve problem maybe?

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: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #2 –
That happened to me and it was a burnt connector.  It just needed a new internal piece.  The issue was finding which one it was but unplugging and looking at each one coming ou of the box showed it in bout 20 mins. 
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: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #3 –
Thank you all. I am working on it will let you know what i find
Martin & Sandy
1996 U270 36'

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #4 –
Quote from: whirlybyrd –
Thank you all. I am working on it will let you know what i find

Can send you a PDF of the repair manual. EZ to figure out the problem with minimum tools. Let me know.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #5 –
It's probably a bad right rear ride height valve.  If you can level with the coach parked the air bags are okay.  There are 3 of these valves for most coaches.  One for the front axle and one on each side in the rear.  The same valve works in all 3 places.  Most large truck parts stores will have them.  The control for the valve has an arrow for positioning the rod.  3 ways to get it wrong and one way to get it right for the valve to work properly.  Good luck, this is my 3 attempt to post.
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: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #6 –
Additional info.  You can drive the coach by starting the engine first, push the on button one time for manual level and with the up and down buttons inflate the air bags for proper ride height (8 inches between the plates at the top and bottom of the bags).  You must watch that it does not switch to travel mode.  You should have a travel mode warning light and an audible warning that will drive you crazy.  If the engine is turned off and then restarted it will switch to travel mode.  You will have to check frequently the proper ride height until you are sure it is being maintained and not leaking down. 
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: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #7 –
Thank you for the tips Jerry.
I have been on it all day Monday and have found the left side rear airbags are at full extension ,elect good to all solenoid they all ping the housings.The right travel valve raises and lowers the rear as it should however the left rear will not deflate. That said next thing Iam thinking is a spool in the Air manifold is jammed by all the pressure of 1 full extension and all the weight on the rear. Going to block frame and tap manifold with brass hammer while someone activates the dump. 2 if that does not allow it to dump then with frame blocked still I will empty all air in the systems, I am thinking if a stuck spool bags will still be at full extension , then I will crack loose the fitting at the manifold - less chance of a blow out on threads - safer I think there than a bag it self.
If this works I will put some Air tool oil in to the air distribution manifold to lube the spools if it has them or at lease the solenoids we will see, more later
Martin & Sandy
1996 U270 36'

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #8 –
Whirlybyrd,

I missed the part about the left side being fully inflated.  I suppose a defective ride height valve could also do that.  Mine just deflated when it went bad.  I had a spare so not much delay once I got the control rod arm installed correctly in the new valve.  I think what you are calling a spool is/are the solenoid valves on the 6 pack manifold.  The valve opens when energized.  They can be removed and disassembled to check for obstructions, dirt, etc.  There is a plastic part connected to an armature (piston or rod in the coil)that seats on a cone shaped opening to shut off air flow.  I was able to stop a slow leak by resurfacing the plastic using a lathe (surface needs to be flat). 
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: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #9 –
Thanks Jerry I will be on it when the rain stops and I am no longer babysitting our grand son he's only 16 months old too small to hold the flash light for grandpa FOR NOW :-) your tips are very helpful I can not thank you enough.
Martin & Sandy
1996 U270 36'

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #10 –
Quote from: whirlybyrd –

I have been on it all day Monday and have found the left side rear airbags are at full extension ,elect good to all solenoid they all ping the housings.The right travel valve raises and lowers the rear as it should however the left rear will not deflate.

If this is consistent in all leveling modes (not just travel) that you can't get the air to exhaust, there's something simple to check.  Not sure where you're located, but if you're in mud dauber country, check the exhaust port for the right rear (on the HWH 6-pack manifold) for a clog.  They're industrious little buggers and will clog a port in just a couple of days.

Mud Daubers Problem in Leveling System

Remember to use safety blocks when working under the coach and especially on the leveling system Working Safely around your Foretravel
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: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #11 –
You definitely need to see if the bags that are all the way inflated can be lowered with manually lowering with the hwh arrows. If it can then probably a bad ride height valve, but if it can not might be as Michelle said with a mud dauber in the exhaust port on the 6 pack manifold. If you can get the pdf of the manual and then follow the troubleshooting instructions, should make it easier to locate the problem
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #12 –
Pierce, would like to see the pdf manual. Is it already posted here somewhere?
Dick
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #13 –
Hello all well the digging continues the wire harness is a mess with yellow rubber spray that's been painted with black undercoating and blue paint. Yet the manifold somehow found a way to get all white powder surfaces under all the mess. That said- Yes Michelle and Red I did find mud daubers have been busy under the coach and the exhaust ports are open but did have some sand in them I sprayed the inside of the ports with good old WD-40 until it ran clean, but them buggers filled mounting holes that are not used on the height control/ride height valves. Tomorrow i will get a fresh start, not much progress today had to watch my 16 mo old grand son hes to little (for now) to hold the flash light for grand pa, to add to my fun today it rained on and off today ARE WE HAVING FUN YET (i use to say that to my bride all the time when glitches would happen with the airstream or a home improvement mess and or a car we were fixing) things will work out. With all the GREAT help and friendly people here they must right. thanks again
Yes Dick i will post here for you the manual from Pierce, he is going to email it to me when i get it i will post it or forward it to you when i figure out how :-)
Martin & Sandy
1996 U270 36'

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #14 –
Quote from: whirlybyrd –
Yet the manifold somehow found a way to get all white powder surfaces under all the mess.

Martin,

I'm not exactly sure what you're describing by "all white powder surfaces", and don't mean to change the focus of this thread, but IF you find white powder contamination in any of the leveling system, you should address the coach air dryer.

Here's a recent thread originally started when Jim McNeece noticed this problem:

Desiccant powder in air system - anybody else with this experience?

Michelle
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: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #15 –
Hello all The struggle continues with better understanding on my part. Michelle the White powder i spoke of is on the outside of the manifold i will try to attach a photo of the corrosion i am running in to. I have found a bad solenoid the left travel one all the rest do activate. I have one coming from Texas be here in a few days. I am going to try and do a electrical swap and not distrub the brass base for i may end up needing a new manifold. wish me luck and many thanks all for the help.
Martin & Sandy
1996 U270 36'

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #16 –
Martin, look like you need some corrisonX to spray on that.
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: Leveling system went nuts on our maiden voyage

Reply #17 –
Hello All
The solenoid I needed came in tues night put it on did a internal part swap left the brass in place for fear of the corrosion works fine now. The problem was the travel solenoid on the rear 6 pack. Replaced now back to our maiden voyage.
Thank you all for your help in helping me to figure out my problem, and fixing it when we get back I will post my pictures of the troubleshooting and repair.
Thank you all again
Martin
Martin & Sandy
1996 U270 36'