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psi gauge fail

OK we've just put almost 5,000 miles on the old girl with no trouble, had her checked out before leaving FL then again in NAC, now we're at a rally in VA, got another 1,000 miles to go to get home, (+ 1 more rally) .....for the past few days the top psi (air pressure) gauge was all over the map, mostly hovering between 130-150....talked to one of my favorite gurus, he said no worries on the high reading as long as it doesn't go too low.  Well, yesterday on the way here it went down to the 0 (zero) side! Stayed there til we parked. Travel mode light is OK, no yellow lights on the leveling system...right now she's level with ignition off, bottom gauge shows normal, (less than 60) but top gauge is at 125...anybody got any ideas?  Is it safe to drive home to FL?  I plan to call Paul Y. today to make a date to get her in for a couple of other things too but it's early, so hopefully some of our other FT gurus will be awake here!  8)

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #1 –
Sounds like the gauge itselt is bad,James Triana can get you a copy of your air system if you don't have one in your book.Others
will chime in but the easiest way to check would be to safely switch airlines to the gauges,if the gauge stays the same get a new
one coming.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #2 –
Dani, move the air line from the top gauge to the bottom gauge, and the bottom to the top, if the problem stays with the top gauge the gauge is bad.t. Make sure you drain the air system before you start.
 I edit the post to correct my mistake.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #3 –
You also can swap the senders on the tanks or the lines on the senders to see if the problem goes with the swap.

Jim
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #4 –
Mine did and does the same thing, gauge is bad,
Adam Byler
1999 U320 M4200 DGFE Build #5389
2014 Sundowner 26 ft Enclosed
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch crew cab

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #5 –
One caution:  I would not agree that 150 PSI is acceptable! That would point to the air governor-- not an expensive item.

But, I also agree this is very likely a gauge issue and your actual pressure is not out of spec.  Swap lines/components to verify.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #6 –
Dani, The gauge is bad ! Drive it . BOTH gauges get the air from the same source which is the wet tank. Your gauges do not have senders. They are pure mechanical. The needle is probably loose on the pin.
Call me if you want more info. Call any way so I can give you the latest.

Gary O
Gary O
2000 U320 4210

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #7 –
This is the same problem I had last summer.  Reply 2 was how we isolated it.  That was after going through the schematic and replacing govenor.  Simple and of course cost effective.  Sorry we missed the opportunity to meet at the rally.  Hoped to be finished with the electrical update but waiting on a part.  Enjoy it will be beautiful this weekend.

BTW we are about two hours southwest in Hampton Roads.  If you need layover, we have hookup and a guest house AKA an Artic Fox.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #8 –
The suggestions above about switching gauges is good. The idea that if the problem moves, the gauge is bad, is wrong. If the problem stays with the gauge, it is bad. They read from different places one for front brakes one for rear brakes. If  the governor is bad both gauges will be off by the same amount. 
  Missed John44 he is correct.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bill Willett –
move the air line from the top gauge to the bottom gauge, and the bottom to the top, if the problem goes to the bottom gauge the top gauge is bad.


Bill,

I may be confused here (always a possibility; maybe a probability).

If the problem moves to the other gauge, then it was *NOT* a problem with the upper gauge.

Or am I missing something?

Thanks,

Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #10 –
The way I read the first post is that the gauge is going from 0 to 150,no way the pressure actually would be 0 or 150 so I assumed
gauge itself would be bad.Swithing lines would verify that.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #11 –
Trent, you are correct as Bill has it wrong. A faulty gauge will take it's problems to the other line pressure as has been mentioned a few times, one way or another.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Gary Omel –
Dani, The gauge is bad ! Drive it . BOTH gauges get the air from the same source which is the wet tank. Your gauges do not have senders. They are pure mechanical. The needle is probably loose on the pin.
Call me if you want more info. Call any way so I can give you the latest.

Gary O
Thanks everybody for the input!  After a chat with the G-Man today, looks like this is what was going on....it did seem the needle was hopping around & falling on the right (150 psi) side of the gauge & finally just gave up & settled at the bottom on the left (zero) side...we'll do our last 1,000+ miles starting Sunday & get her into the shop with Paul Y. soon as we can.

Appreciate you all so much, what a great forum family!

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #13 –
Guessing Gary is G-man,not sure about Paul y,my head is spinning.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: psi gauge fail

Reply #14 –
Quote from: John44 –
Guessing Gary is G-man,not sure about Paul y,my head is spinning.
Yes, the G-man is 'top dog' in my book but Paul Yasbeck is (also) one of the best Foretravel techs on the planet, we're lucky to have him in central Florida....stuff that other places "fix" eventually get taken to Paul for a real/permanent fix, he does it right the first time.  If we could only clone these 2 fellas.... ^.^d