Auto Park

Just remember to put chocs in BEFORE you attempt to release the brake (especially if you are under the coach).

Thank you for the detailed post Roger. I have a question about this part: "Version II got morphed around mid 98 and they removed (sadly) the floor pedal that allowed one to manually set or release the parking brake."

I have a 1992 Holiday Rambler built on a 1991 chassis. Based on your post, I would have a Version I AutoPark, however I do in fact have a foot pedal to manually set the parking brake. I will note that the transmission was replaced under previous ownership, but don't think that would mean the whole AutoPark was "upgraded" as well?

What is the significance of the parking brake (since you mentioned it was sadly removed). Does it work like a traditional car parking brake locking the rear wheels or....?

Also, (knock-on-wood), my system seems to be operating fine, however I notice that when I take my RV out of park it literally takes a full 7ish seconds for the AutoPark light to go out. I am free to move, it just seems like the light stays on "too long". Is this normal?


Edit after I took the time to read that wonderful link on the AutoPark! I "solved" my version question and see that I should have a Version I. So if the foot brake and the "gear shift in park" do the same thing, why have both? If there is loss of pressure for any reason, the system fails in the braked position, so I would think the foot pedal is not needed at all?

NORM WADDELL wrote:
Sertraline.......contact Roger Hagg at oldusedbear11@charter.net

THANK YOU SIR!!! I will immediately...

I've got a 96 Itasca and my foot pedal doesn't seem to do anything but go all the way to the floor without any resistance like you have in a car putting on the emergency brake. Is it supposed to be like that?

I have the switch down on the pump replaced 2 yrs ago as it was leaking (I guess it wass the green one) Which switch activates the warning light and buzzer on the dash? Mine doesn't seem to light up and/or buzz anymore.

Also, Is there some way to add a cable or something to the foot pedal to mechanically activate the parking brake and remove the pump and all execpt for the actual brake on the driveshaft itself? I know that you'd have to remember to ALLWAYS use the foot pedal whenever you stopped.

I had to do that when I drove a Chevy Corvair automatic as none of the corvairs with automatic's had a "park" only R N D L. I always had to put it in neutral and put the brake on.

Sertraline.......contact Roger Hagg at oldusedbear11@charter.net

olfarmer wrote:

NORM WADDELL wrote:
AutoPark applies a parking brake by applying
a band brake around the drive shaft. When that switch
fails, the drive shaft is LOCKED......no can move R V.
A knowledeable person can get under the RV and
release that brake, and THEN wheel blocking when parked
is required, until the system is repaired.
Beentheredonethat.

Yes, I have read about how to disable it, and crawled under and located the pin to pull. I was just wondering if ALL auto parks fail or if some work fine for most of the life of the vehicle. I have read quite a bit about the various problems and remedies. I guess I would like to know if the failure rate is 100%--50%--25% or??????

I think 100 percent. Mine is failing as we speak and I am looking for instructions on pulling that pin..I have a trip this weekend...anybody help?!

Thank you Roger. You helped us keep our 97 Itasca longer than I thought I would. We have had switches and actuator replaced. I have no mechanical skills, and you probably don't remember, husband has vision handicap and can't help with repairs.

Without your help, we would all be on the side of the road!

For Gjac - - I THINK but am not positive, that the last J71 systems were installed around 2006 or so. I've never seen any sort of timetable on this subject, but I do know that some coach builders may sit on a chassis for more than a year before it goes out the door as a new motorhome.

I'd suggest that DRIVER over on the IRV2 forum might have the most accurate answer to that question.

oub

Thank you Roger, I think you gave me the answer to my question plus some other very worthy information! Also thank you to everyone else who responded with their personal experiences.
Ed

:B

Yes, Thank you Roger!
We used your hints a few times on ours and other MH parked next to us.
We are going over 94,000 miles - 1 failure of gray switch, 1 failure of green switch. Did a replacement a while ago - just because...
Easy to disconnect and use chocks until repaired.