hydraulic jacks quest.

my jacks had springs to raise them. evidently yours dont or are weak?
bumpy

I can only think there is a slight leak, or quite possibly air in the system. My right front will do that as well (I have the LCI - no springs), but typically I can get it to hold after I retract it a 2nd time. So far I've ignored it, but yours is going to be hard to ignore.

I'll be curious to hear what you find out the fix is.

If your jacks have springs, they may be weak.
The reason Hydraulic jacks extend in transit(if springs are OK) is, the fluid in the jack lines can expand from road/engine/exhaust heat. That can cause a jack to slightly extend. Even with good springs this can happen. Check the HOSE routing for that jack and see if it runs close to a Heat source. Doug

PS, not positive about Kwikkee jacks. Are they POWER extend and POWER Retract? IF so, then if no leak, you may have a solenoid internal leakage problem. IF Power Down and UP you will have NO springs.

Kwikee jacks are Power up and power down after looking at the website. So, you have hyd fluid leaking internally at one of that jacks solenoids.

What did Kwikee say when you called?

Bill.Satellite wrote:
What did Kwikee say when you called?

Joking right? Calling Kwikee(actually LCI) and actually talking to someone that knows about Kwikee systems? That would be a first. Doug

Bumpyroad wrote:
my jacks had springs to raise them. evidently yours dont or are weak?
bumpy

No springs...

dougrainer wrote:
If your jacks have springs, they may be weak.
The reason Hydraulic jacks extend in transit(if springs are OK) is, the fluid in the jack lines can expand from road/engine/exhaust heat. That can cause a jack to slightly extend. Even with good springs this can happen. Check the HOSE routing for that jack and see if it runs close to a Heat source. Doug

PS, not positive about Kwikkee jacks. Are they POWER extend and POWER Retract? IF so, then if no leak, you may have a solenoid internal leakage problem. IF Power Down and UP you will have NO springs.

Kwikee jacks are Power up and power down after looking at the website. So, you have hyd fluid leaking internally at one of that jacks solenoids.

Bad solenoid is one area I had in mind. Thanks!

Bill.Satellite wrote:
What did Kwikee say when you called?

Haven't attempted to contact Kwikee. Have found best source is this forum.

why not do a watch and wait. How far will it really come down? That will determine the work, needed.
As for valve, if there is no pressure (pump is turned off) in the lines then really, with the valve cause the jack to extend?

To really learn how the system works - light reading material
http://www.rvtechlibrary.com/chassis/HydraulicsandHWHSystems.pdf

gatorcq wrote:
why not do a watch and wait. How far will it really come down? That will determine the work, needed.
As for valve, if there is no pressure (pump is turned off) in the lines then really, with the valve cause the jack to extend?

To really learn how the system works - light reading material
http://www.rvtechlibrary.com/chassis/HydraulicsandHWHSystems.pdf

There is a BIG difference between HWH systems and the Kwikee system he has. YOU need to understand Power up and Power Down. It takes static hydraulic pressure to keep the cylinder retracted and to keep it extended. When there is a LOSS of pressure, the jack will either extend or retract depending on where it started. Loss of pressure happens when a solenoid valve allows fluid to seep between the 2 solenoids. That causes a loss of pressure to keep retracted. Doug