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Topic: Air pressure alarm and light came on (Read 976 times) previous topic - next topic

Air pressure alarm and light came on

Cruising down I 80 when the Air Pressure a;arm light came on. My wife noticed a distinctive hissing sound coming from under the front of the coach. I got off the highway as quickly as I could. I noticed the brakes were working OK and the suspension did not collapse. I found the culprit. inside the wet compartment below the drivers seat are a couple of things that look like solenoides or pressure switches. one of them had popped the top off. Anyone know what this is and where I can get one? or a work around? I am stuck in Jolliette, IL until I can get one. here is the picture.

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #1 –
It looks like the low pressure warning switch. For just getting to a truck stop you can take it off and plug it with a pipe plug. I believe it is 1/4" pipe thread, but not sure. If your air pressures are still good enough to travel go slowly to a place where you can fix it.

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #2 –
low air switch? so this switch is what set off the alarm? Ok. any idea where one can get one?

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #5 –
Lots of places in Chicago area cater to truckers, someone will be open 7/24 including Sunday

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #6 –
The one next to it turns on the brake lights when air pressure is applied so they are not interchangeable nor the same P/N.  Craneman is correct, a plug will get you to a repair station (if you can ignore the buzzer) but I think its a 1/8" npt (national pipe thread). 

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #7 –
Rick,
Those two switches do several functions. They actuate the progressive retarder strength when using the service brake to stop, they actuate the tail (brake) lights, they provide the ground continuity for the King Control unit and they provide the cruise control interrupt when the service brakes are applied.
They have different (fixed) pressure set and reset values, so they are not interchangeable.  Your low pressure alarm comes from loss off system air pressure (less than 60 psig) and not from actuation of either one of these pressure switches..You could remove the switch, plug the port and drive the coach but you will be missing one or more of the above functions.  The brake lights not working would be a safety issue.  Air pressure will build and be normal.
Good luck,
Neal

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #8 –
Are you still stuck in Joliet, IL.  We live close to Joliet.  Their is a truck repair shop that is open 24/7 in Minooka, IL. Minooka is west of Joliet off of I-80.

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #9 –
If these went to the stop lights or retarder control they would not have had pressure on them until brakes were applied. I believe these are just warning switches for front and back systems. They are mounted on 2 different lines. I can be wrong, but my observation.

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #10 –
You just cant beat this forum. Thanks to all of you!

I pulled the old part. its a midland usa assy#13241. somewhere along the line, Haldex must have acquired midland. the part number today is Haldex-Midland part number BE13241. I found one at a Napa in Naperville.  Both of the switches in the picture are the same assy# so I am getting 2 of them. 

The switch housing had corroded and let go of the top. the second switch looks suspect so I will be replacing it as well.  the conector tab broke off as well so it will need to be replaced. We may be back on the road today.

Thanks for all your help. Now to call coachnet and let them know I wont need that tow after all.

BTW I called the Jolliet police department just to let tehm know I was here and they sent officer Adam Stapleton. He spent an hour calling around trying to find help for me.

I'll give another update when the switch is installed.


Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #11 –
Napa Naperville is the Chicago regional warehouse for all Chicago stores. Good call.

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #12 –
Look very close at the switches. They look identical but can come in normally open or normally closed. As long as you replace a switch stamped NO with another NO and an NC for an NC you will be fine

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #13 –
Quote from: AncloteJoe –
You just cant beat this forum. Thanks to all of you!

I pulled the old part. its a midland usa assy#13241. somewhere along the line, Haldex must have acquired midland. the part number today is Haldex-Midland part number BE13241. I found one at a Napa in Naperville.  Both of the switches in the picture are the same assy# so I am getting 2 of them. 

The switch housing had corroded and let go of the top. the second switch looks suspect so I will be replacing it as well.  the conector tab broke off as well so it will need to be replaced. We may be back on the road today.

Thanks for all your help. Now to call coachnet and let them know I wont need that tow after all.

BTW I called the Jolliet police department just to let tehm know I was here and they sent officer Adam Stapleton. He spent an hour calling around trying to find help for me.

I'll give another update when the switch is installed.




Their is a NAPA in Joliet.  Naperville is about an hour away from Joliet.

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #14 –
NAPA Joliet

Re: Air pressure alarm and light came on

Reply #15 –
we are about to hit the road again, thanks to all of you. I called the jolliet Napa and they said the naperville was the only place in the area to get them. Both switches are the same. I replaced one and will replace the other at my next stop where I have some time.  I started the engine and it built up pressure and the alarm and warning light went off, just like its supposed to.  the new switches are identical to the old except they are stamped Haldex instead of Midway.

thanks again
Rick