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howdy35's avatar
howdy35
Explorer II
Nov 29, 2016

Power Gear Hydraulic jacks won't retract

MH has been sitting in storage for about 3 months with jacks extended and slide out. Put slide in and jacks won't come up. In fact, they won't extend further either. I can hear the motor running when trying to extend them further but nothing happens.

Checked the fluid and it is okay. Checked the fuse at the reservoir and it seems to be okay. Touch pad is #500731 and I do get (jacks down) red showing but nothing moves. I know I can bleed them at the reservoir as last resort, but maybe there is something else to check. Does anyone know where the control box is located or what it looks like?

Any ideas?

7 Replies

  • Yes please keep us informed. I have some family with these types of jacks that get locked down occasionally... They don't know how they fix but sometimes they just "start working" again.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    I can tell you where the control box is yes.. it's the key pad

    There is also a sensor box somewhere but that has nothing to do with retraction (It's the level) it may also be a junction box, can't help you if it is.

    Now,, ON my POWER gear there are 4 Solenoids that all must open to retract jacks.

    Front, Right Rear, Left Rear, and DUMP..

    Manual says SOME of them can be opened manually (mine can not)

    Each soleiond is 2 pieces, a valve that is screwed into the body of the pump/valve houseing, and a magnet coil that slips over it,, The magnets have what I call "Flat 2" connectors (like a flat 4 trailer only just two wires)

    You can get two pair of these at any truck stop or auto parts place or perhaps even Radio shack and some 10 or 12 ga wire.

    Disconnect each magnet from the harness BUT MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT The wire to the harness so that you do not get 'em mixed up down the road.

    now DO NOT cut the pairs apart,, Hook both black wires (one from each pair) and both RED (likewise) to wire lengths. Ground one and get a good reliable 20 amp sourece of 12 volt (Fused terminal.. You shoudl have two AUX terminals which you may be able to access on teh chassis main fuse box.. This should retract teh jacks.. if not, you have bad valves. About 100 each. 3 are used for extension, the 4th for retraction only.
  • Thanks to all. I've checked lots of things and am about to switch dump valve solenoid with another to see if that is the problem.

    Will let you know the solution if I ever find it.
  • Does anyone know where the control box is located or what it looks like?

    Control box is probably mounted somewhere under the Pad controls in a near area.

    Control Box has 5 fuses. Dump valve fuse is 2nd in from right side.
    XF1 = Power unit motor starter solenoid fuse 1.6 AMP.
    XF2 = Dump solenoid fuse 3.15 AMP.
    XF3 = Left rear jack solenoid fuse 3.15 AMP. (RR)
    XF4 = Right rear jack solenoid fuse 3.15 AMP. (CR)
    XF5 = Front jack solenoid fuse 3.15 AMP. (F)
    REMOVE: To remove fuse, use needle nose pliers and pull fuse straight out
    INSTALL: To install fuse use needle nose pliers to insert the fuse making sure
    pins on fuse enter receptacle correctly
  • I have PG jacks operated by a Valid controller. I can push and hold the on/off button and it will reset the system. If you can, you might try that.
  • Go to the POWERGEAR website. Lots of customer (fix) information there. There should also be a 1-800 phone number to call for help.

    G'luck!
  • You probably have a booklet that came with the system, or you should be able to find it online. My power gear had only one solenoid that drained all the cylinders at once. If yours is that way, find out which one does that and you can power just it to lower the rig. Maybe tap it with the end of a screw driver first. Be careful.