Emergency Leveling Valve Override Procedure

January 30, 2018, 09:34:35 am

I wanted to offer this post as a way to say THANKS to the members of this forum who offer vast amounts of first hand knowledge about every aspect of these complicated machines that we drive, and to Barry Brideau for his BARRYBEAM.COM website that has helped many of us get back on the road from time to time.

I'm not as mechanically gifted as may of folks here, and so I find photos very helpful. As I've done in the past, I've sorta photo-documented the procedure to maybe help out someone who might be, like me, a little more timid about delving into some of the systems on our coaches.

THE PROBLEM: When starting the coach, my airbags would air up just fine. But the moment I would engage the transmission (Drive or Reverse), the front airbags would immediately dump, and the cab would rest on the tires. I was unable to even back out of the drive way.

I ordered a new Ride Height Adjustment Valve from Foretravel and replaced it, but the problem persisted.

Rather than take too many chances, trying to resolve the problem underneath the coach, I decided to test the EMERGENCY LEVELING VALVE OVERRIDE PROCEDURE, I located at beamalarm.com.

THE SOLUTION: You can find the procedures located at the following link:

Emergency Leveling Valve Override Procedure (I've also posted a photo of the link below.)

Lets take them one at a time.

1) Manually raise low side of coach. In my case, it was the front airbags. Using the HWH control board on the dash, I was able to inflate the front airbags.

2) Locate HWH control box. For '99 vintage coaches, the control box is located on the upper surface in the second bay, curbside. It's a silver aluminum box. (see photo) Note: Not all HWH boxes are labeled with the HWH logo.

3) There is a series of circuit boards located inside of box. You will need to locate the 7.5 amp travel fuse and remove. The photos below are for the HWH 600 series leveling system. In the schematic diagram below, the 7.5 amp fuse is designated as #11 TRAVEL. This is the fuse that needs to be removed. Further photos show the Control Box with the cover removed and the location of the 7.5 amp travel fuse that needs to be removed.

4) The coach will now hold the level position my manual set. This is pretty much is self explanatory.

I tested the procedures and they worked. I haven't put the coach on the road just yet, but the following caution will be followed when I head to FT later in February:

THESE ARE ONLY EMERGENCY RECOMMENDATIONS AND NOT MEANT FOR NORMAL TRAVEL. TRAVEL SPEEDS SHOULD BE GREATLY REDUCED AND CHECKED PERIODICALLY DURING EMERGENCY OPERATION.

Re: Emergency Leveling Valve Override Procedure

Reply #1 – January 30, 2018, 09:38:20 am

I forgot to post the photo of the beamalarm.com Emergency Procedures in the post above.

Re: Emergency Leveling Valve Override Procedure

Reply #2 – January 30, 2018, 10:13:01 am

Thanks, Russel. I had a similar issue and traveled with that fuse removed. Your post includes the admonition that travel speed should be reduced, however, I drove normally for 1,500 miles or so with no issue. I did check the ride height frequently but it just stayed solid.
jor

Re: Emergency Leveling Valve Override Procedure

Reply #3 – January 30, 2018, 11:11:36 am

Quote from: jor – January 30, 2018, 10:13:01 am

Thanks, Russel. I had a similar issue and traveled with that fuse removed.

If you had a "similar issue", it might be helpful to mention what was finally done to resolve the problem.

Any time there is trouble with the HWH system, the very first stop should be the Service Manual. These manuals are often included with a coach, and if not they are readily available online. Following the trouble shooting steps in exact order will often help identify the faulty component.

The 600 Series manual: https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml11148.pdf

Re: Emergency Leveling Valve Override Procedure

Reply #4 – January 30, 2018, 11:16:56 am

Thanks for that input jor. That's good to know.

I was just repeating what Barry had posted on the bottom of his listed procedures. I suspect it's mostly a CYA move, but none-the-less, probably worth reposting.

I will check frequently on the way to Nac.

Re: Emergency Leveling Valve Override Procedure

Reply #5 – January 30, 2018, 10:43:10 pm

Quote

it might be helpful to mention what was finally done to resolve the problem.

I had a bad travel solenoid. Replaced the solenoid.
jor

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