dodged a bullet with the HWH

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dodged a bullet with the HWH

November 21, 2021, 09:30:05 pm

I reserved a campsite in at Dixon lake in Escondido up in the hills. Arrived and realized this campground was not intended for 40' motorhomes. Went to our site and saw how steep the apron was to get on the top where I might be able to get level. Backed up to the apron and when I turned on the HWH nothing lit up or worked. Knew we would have to go home if I couldn't get it working. I drove back to a level area and should have started at the dash but went instead to the HWH box and checked all the fuses and connections. No go. Then lifted the dash and an empty socket and a matching plug hanging. Plugged it back to the control panel and all was working. Had to back up to the apron put the coach in neutral and engage the parking brake and manually raise the front and rear to max. Then put in reverse release the brake and get up the apron before the coach dropped. Memories of Elliott's saga were on my mind at the time. Made it to the top and all is well.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #1 – November 21, 2021, 10:02:51 pm

Gotta check the easy stuff first 😎🙃

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #2 – November 21, 2021, 10:51:10 pm

Quote from: craneman – November 21, 2021, 09:30:05 pm

Had to back up to the apron put the coach in neutral and engage the parking brake and manually raise the front and rear to max. Then put in reverse release the brake and get up the apron before the coach dropped.

I thought it was supposed to be possible to use the "RAISE" button to elevate the coach and then, while holding the "RAISE" button down, move the coach slowly in forward or reverse with the air bags fully extended. Does this not work? I have never tried it with our coach, so I don't know, but I'm sure I've read on the Forum of other owners doing this.

Paragraph below from the HWH 600 Series Service Manual, Page 5:

8. DUMP AND RAISE BUTTONS The "DUMP" AND "RAISE" buttons are for operator convenience. They allow the coach to temporarily be raised or lowered to clear obstacles while moving. These are momentary buttons. When released, the coach will return to ride height if the ignition is on. These buttons will operate with the system on or off, and the ignition on or off. If the system is on, the system will turn off when the button is released. The "DUMP" and "RAISE" button will lower or raise the whole coach. If they are not working correctly see Part 8 of the REPAIR STEPS.
CAUTION: Do not exceed 5 mph or travel long distances when using these buttons or if the coach is not at the proper travel height.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #3 – November 21, 2021, 11:04:37 pm

Trying to clear the rocks and keep centered one handed was going to be risky. My raise button for some reason doesn't get me as high as manually raising front and rear. Maybe I need to check the part 8 of the repair steps.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #4 – November 21, 2021, 11:26:25 pm

Quote from: craneman – November 21, 2021, 11:04:37 pm

Maybe I need to check the part 8 of the repair steps.

OK, but don't think that will help you much... Perhaps (when using RAISE button) you just don't wait long enough for both ends to get it up (so to speak).

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml11148.pdf

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #5 – November 21, 2021, 11:35:02 pm

If the 7.5 fuse is pulled the coach won't return to ride height and then you can
concentrate on driving.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #6 – November 22, 2021, 09:15:52 am

Quote

Perhaps you just don't wait long enough for both ends to get it up

That's my experience. In order to get out of my place I have to stop, raise up all the way and creep forward. The back always lags well behind the front. If I wait long enough the back goes up all the way.
jor

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #7 – November 22, 2021, 01:16:48 pm

Same here. Back comes up way slower, as Chuck says have to wait for pressure to build up with engine running with finger on raise button. Can then creep forward. It works better when I've been driving coach and already at full pressure.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #8 – November 22, 2021, 01:26:39 pm

I watch the air gauge for the rear tank and when it is back to 130 figure it is as high as it is going to go. I will check the system when I return home as I don't think the raise button is doing all the functions listed in Chuck's post. I like the idea of pulling the 7 1/2 amp fuse to get back out of this space but too much pain to remove items in the bay then remove the cover for everyday use. Two hands will make it safer to avoid rocks and bottoming out leaving.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #9 – November 22, 2021, 04:45:31 pm

So on the Parking brake valve switch from WD B-2179 there is a ground wire 9000 to the HWH computer that enables coach to go into manual level or Auto level. Loss of ground puts coach into ride height with ignition on. Chuck this may help resolve your problem.
Scott

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #10 – November 27, 2021, 05:31:58 pm

Quote from: jor – November 22, 2021, 09:15:52 am

That's my experience. In order to get out of my place I have to stop, raise up all the way and creep forward. The back always lags well behind the front. If I wait long enough the back goes up all the way.
jor

Takes more pressure to raise the back. Engine makes it heavier.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #11 – November 27, 2021, 09:39:14 pm

That's interesting. My 06 raises and lowers easy in the back but the front takes forever to lower even doing it manually.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #12 – November 28, 2021, 08:53:16 am

Quote from: EddieNel – November 27, 2021, 09:39:14 pm

That's interesting. My 06 raises and lowers easy in the back but the front takes forever to lower even doing it manually.

Check for obstructions in the front 6-pack exhaust ports.

Mason Bee Plugs in 6-Pack Exhaust Ports

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #13 – November 28, 2021, 09:07:25 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – November 28, 2021, 08:53:16 am

Check for obstructions in the front 6-pack exhaust ports.

Mason Bee Plugs in 6-Pack Exhaust Ports

Great info thank you so much. I should be home in a couple of hours. I'll try and locate the 6 pack and check for debris.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #14 – November 28, 2021, 09:22:48 am

when foretravel had their store in liberty lake wa. they had a sign
at the entrance to the lot that read "raise your coach before proceeding"
there was large lip along the road.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #15 – November 28, 2021, 10:01:34 am

Not to deviate too much from the context at hand, first thing, when I try and level my coach, the front end jacks sometime extend completely out. Mine has "auto dump" for the air when it is leveling. I hear the rear bags dumping, but not the front. Now, back at the ranch, I found a big "Mud dauber" nest inside the flame tube on my rear coach heater. Talk about harder than the hubs of hell, that nest acted like it was a part of the tube. Those pesky little b*****ds get in anywhere. I need to check my front exhaust ports also......

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #16 – November 28, 2021, 08:02:15 pm

Don't want to hijack either but I checked my exhaust valves on my 6 pack and they are clean. Coach just clicks when trying to raise or lower just the front but it will drop or raise side to side. It will also raise when raised but the front will not drop when I dump the air. Always goes to ride height as supposed to. Not a big deal just would be nice to drop the front on demand.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #17 – November 28, 2021, 09:18:19 pm

Quote from: EddieNel – November 28, 2021, 08:02:15 pm

Coach just clicks when trying to raise or lower just the front but it will drop or raise side to side. It will also raise when raised but the front will not drop when I dump the air. Not a big deal just would be nice to drop the front on demand.

Sometimes problems like this can be solved by simply replacing some fuses in the HWH control box. You need the service manual to ID the correct fuses.

The HWH leveling system service manuals usually have a fairly good trouble shooting section. If you have the manual for your leveling system, that is the first place to check. If you don't have the manual, they are all available online. I don't know what HWH system is used in the '06 Nimbus. if you don't know either, you can use the link below to identify your leveling system:

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml17785_01_nom_pr_lesy.pdf

Once you know the system series, you can do a Google search for the manual.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #18 – November 29, 2021, 10:34:14 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 28, 2020, 01:37:45 pm

Our coach has been parked for a while cuz of you-know-what. It had been naturally settling lower on the suspension from gradual system air leakage. Yesterday I noticed it was sitting kinda high on the right front corner. Wanting to avoid the dread "cracked windshield from twisted frame" problem common to GVs, I decided to investigate. Got in the coach, turned the leveling system on, and tried to release air from the "high" corner. The DOWN arrows didn't seem to have any effect. So, using my onboard 110V air compressor I pumped the air system up to 120psi. I then raised the front end all the way up to the stops - that worked fine. But when I tried to let it back down, none of the leveling panel buttons would make it drop. HMMmmm

I have often advised Forum members, when having leveling system problems, to go directly to The Book. I decided to take my own advice, and pulled up my online copy of the HWH 600 Series Service Manual (link provided below).

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml19048.pdf

Starting at the beginning of the trouble shooting steps, I performed each test exactly as directed. Everything was good until Step 4, where I hit a snag. The front UP and DOWN arrows would work in the UP direction, but not in the DOWN direction. I could raise the front of the coach, but could not lower it.

"Test each set of up and down arrows checking that the appropriate air bags will inflate and deflate and that the auxiliary compressor will run during the raise function. If there is any malfunction see Part 4 of the REPAIR STEPS."

Going to Part 4 of the REPAIR STEPS, Step A, I found my exact problem described:

A. Front bag will not deflate when pushing a front or side down arrow.

Reading across to the "SOLUTIONS" column, the first suggestion says:

"Check that the exhaust ports of the air manifold are not plugged."

This morning, while it was still "kinda" cool, I put the coach up on my safety stands (all 8 of them). Rolled under the front end on my creeper, and took a look at the the front 6-pack. Guess what I found? Both exhaust ports totally plugged. I have often read on the Forum about this problem happening to other members, but this is the first time I have personally had the problem.

Got out a few small tools, and started digging the hard obstruction out of the holes. It was surprisingly tough! When you think about it, those plugs were holding in place against 120 psi air pressure trying to blow them out. Pretty darn impressive engineering! The material I removed is a combination of green plant material and some kind of dense, yellow, waxy material. I did not see any obvious sign of a larva or egg, so I'm not clear on the purpose of the plug.

Once I got most of the crap dug out, went inside the coach and tried the front end DOWN arrow. Heard the welcome sound of air blowing out the exhaust ports. Went back underneath and finished cleaning the ports with a wet Q-Tip. Problem solved!

One safety tip: If you use a sharp tool to dig the plug out, be careful not to poke directly in the center of the port. You can see in the photos of the cleaned out ports that the blue sealing surface on the solenoid valve plunger is visible through the hole at the bottom of the exhaust port. Poking a sharp tool through the hole could possibly damage the seal.

This is a great post and bears repeating. The nests can be very small and quite deep in the port and hold well. You said that you can hear the forward six pack dump solenoid clicking. I still thing your problem still is at the six pack. Could also verify power at dump solenoids. This may be tolerable to you but would not for me. I use regularly. Dig deep
Scott

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #19 – November 29, 2021, 11:03:58 am

My coach settles down as well over time when parked. I made a set of end grain Douglas Fir blocks (like safety stands) about 1/2" less than ride height. A month ago the coach was out for some exercise and returned to the barn. The floor in the barn is level. I leave the level system in manual mode with the compressor off. I inserted the 8 blocks to see what would happen. The pass side rear got to the blocks about a week ago. All of the other corners still have a bit of clearance, the blocks are loose.

If the level system is left off, it settles sooner. Probably time to rebuild the six packs and hunt for more leaks.

I leave a post it note on the windshield reminding me to pull the blocks.

Re: dodged a bullet with the HWH

Reply #20 – November 30, 2021, 07:27:08 am

Great information on this thread.

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