Dash alarm when power to house and ignition is on

[jdl2197]

Hello. We just purchased our first RV, a 2003 Coachmen Pursuit. There is an alarm at the dash that activates when power is on to the house and the ignition is on. What could we possibly be doing wrong?

[wa8yxm]

Ernest wrote:
Check the oil level in the leveling system. Depending on how you're parked at home if might be showing it low. At the dealer it was OK because the float switch was just making it.

Good luck

At least two Leveler companies using hydraulic jacks use a float valve in the fluid tank to determine "Jacks up" Tank full, Jakcks up

Here is what happens. It's a hot August day. The fluid (Usually transmission fluid) expands FASTER than the tank and the tank overflows.

Today it is Feburary, not nearly so hot, but due to the loss of fluid last August (or perhaps by other means) the tank is no longer full.

[2chiefsRus]

my vote for the first thing to check is the jack fluid level. Doesn't have to be low by very much to cause the alarm. Also cheapest and easiest thing to check.

[jdl2197]

Checked the emergency brake. We are going to check fluid levels. Our main concern and question is why would the alarm only go off when the power is turned on for the house? It's a Bigfoot system.

Update: Found the dealer must not have lifted the jacks all the way up before we pulled out. There is an indicator light that shows when the jacks are in the fully "up" position, which wasn't on previously. And we now know the power to the house is what powers the jack unit. We should be all set for now. Thank you to all whom replied!

[1995brave]

Emergency brake on? What brand and model are the jacks(usually found on the control panel for the jacks)?

[jerseyjim]

Jack system alarm. Usually caused by low oil in the reservoir. Mine uses Dextron III (Powergear).
If it is low, check the hoses for leaks. (Red stuff on the ground) I replaced two of them in the past 3 years. Wear and tear.

[mdanielson55]

while its making noise put the jacks on manual and push the raise button for 15-30 sec and see if it goes off. might be a slow leak in the system

[Ernest]

Check the oil level in the leveling system. Depending on how you're parked at home if might be showing it low. At the dealer it was OK because the float switch was just making it.

Good luck

[jdl2197]

Thanks for the fast replies!

Ford V10 Chassis. The alarm is definitely coming from the leveling system. We purchased from a dealer and they did a demonstration of the jack system with us before we left.

Once we arrived home with it (without the jacks down), we turned the battery disconnect to "use" (ignition on and engine still running) the alarm sounded. Turned the vehicle off and it went away - still power to the house.

It only sounds when the battery disconnect is switched to "use" and ignition is turned on or on and running, regardless if jacks are up or down.

Even if the jacks are down and battery disconnect is in "store" position with vehicle running, the alarm does NOT sound. Turn to "use", alarm sounds.

[MrWizard]

engine running ?

not running but key on ?

jacks up or down ?

step in or out ?

power to the house ?

shore cord alarm ? ALERT .. do not drive away with shore cord plugged in

all else fails.. call previous owner and ask them what it is

[ScottG]

Low air pressure.
Check gauge and let it run if low until pressure is built. You may have a leak somewhere.

[dougrainer]

Did it do that when you looked at the RV before purchasing it? Have you used the RV before this and that alarm did not sound? There are a lot of things that can cause this. The most common would be the Jack leveling system to level the Motorhome. Most Jack systems have some type of light and alarm that will sound if the KEY is ON and the jacks are extended. If you have Jacks and they are not extended, there could be a fault with the Jack system. You need to state what Chassis you have Ford/Chevy/Workhorse. Doug