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HWH Jacks won't go down

Dachristianman
Explorer
Explorer
I just tried to lower my jacks, and I can hear the pump run, but the jacks don't move. Where to begin? Slide still works.

Tom

2001 Winnebago Adventurer
29 REPLIES 29

roadrat2
Explorer
Explorer
Best analytical, non judgmental post ever! Fun to read as you systematically honed in on the problem. This forum is awesome!
2011 Crossroads Zinger ZT25SB
2006 F-350 6.0L

captron33
Explorer
Explorer
I had same problem, turned out i had bad batteries. Put in new coach batt. And now all works ok.

Dachristianman
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks Doug. You helped me solve it. I focused solely on the electrical side and cleaned all my contacts. Just for gee whiz, I began pulling each fuse and looking at them. I found a blown fuse that controls the defrost fans, the exterior temperature reader, and who knows what else. I have no idea how it is tied into the HWH system, but when I replaced it the jacks extended as normal.

The fuse is under the instrument cluster on the fuse block. Of course, I don't have any diagrams on what those fuses go to, but now I know all my connections are clean and my motorhome is now on the jacks. Thanks everyone for the advice. Your willingness to use your knowledge to help a stranger out is what makes this site so great.

Tom

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
Dachristianman wrote:
I took my daughter on a nature walk while I pondered motorhome ownership. When I returned, the power to the panel lights up. Strange thing is that when I open one of the T-handles and try to extend the jacks, the power to the control panel dies. There must be an internal breaker, because I can turn the power off and back on and everything comes back on. If I try to extend the jacks without the T-handle open, the pump will run but nothing happens at the jacks. The HWH manual says that if I have 3500 psi at the manifold, then it's the shuttle valve. I have no way to check to see if I have pressure, but since the slide operates, seems like their should be pressure there. Either way, I think I'm getting it narrowed down.

Tom


OK, THINK about what you just posted. You do NOT have a pressure gauge which puts you at a disadvantage, BUT, the fact the slides operate shows you have 3000 psi. IF you do NOT open the T handles, and the solenoids are defective OR there is NO 12 volt power to the solenoids, then the pump WILL run, but nothing will happen. You stated "Strange thing is that when I open one of the T-handles and try to extend the jacks, the power to the control panel dies". THAT points to an electrical problem, NOTHING else. Opening a T handle does nothing to the electrical system. Open all 4 and run the pump. You can run the pump by jumping the large posts on the 2nd solenoid, you do NOT have to go thru the touch pad. By jumping the battery power straight to the pump 12 volt motor and the T handles OPEN, you are supplying 3000 psi direct to all 4 jacks. IF they do not move, then replace the Shuttle valve. If even 1 jack extends and extends while you supply power, then the shuttle valve is OK. You seem to be hung up on the shuttle valve, BUT, on a 2001 HWH system, which is in the old years when they did have problems with shuttle valves, I would replace yours. The old Shuttle valve problems were ALL failure to retract, NEVER a problem extending. Doug

Dachristianman
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks Dougrainer. For some reason I didn't see your post earlier. I'll try that tomorrow. Does the unit use a different motor for the slide? If my slide is opening, wouldn't that mean my pump motor is good?. I'll also check the connections where all the wires come together on the main relay. All 4 of my 10a fuses are good under the dash on the control module. I'm not sure why the system is kicking when I open the valve, but that's what happened...numerous times. More to follow tomorrow.

Tom

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
Dachristianman wrote:
Best I can gather, the shuttle valve is a mechanical valve that sits on top of the main HWH body. It is a valve that has a 3-inch hose connected to it. I'm not sure what it does, but it may be the issue. An earlier post says it only works for retracting, but it's in the troubleshooting guide as a potential source of the problem if they won't extend. I'll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Tom


The Shuttle valve is mechanical ONLY. 3000 PSI will overcome any defect in a shuttle valve. Shuttle valve failures involve Low pressure retraction issues. I have NEVER seen a shuttle valve fail when 3000 psi applied. Possible, but I have never seen it happen. The fact that you manually opened the T handle and a jack started to extend means the Shuttle valve was operating. LOSS of your power/fuse blowing would not be a shuttle valve. DO NOT remove the shuttle valve to attempt to test or look at it. The O-rings will be destroyed. ONLY remove a shuttle valve if you have a new replacement on hand to reinstall. The shuttle valve is the gateway for all fluid going to and back from the Jacks only, not for the slide system. Doug

Dachristianman
Explorer
Explorer
Best I can gather, the shuttle valve is a mechanical valve that sits on top of the main HWH body. It is a valve that has a 3-inch hose connected to it. I'm not sure what it does, but it may be the issue. An earlier post says it only works for retracting, but it's in the troubleshooting guide as a potential source of the problem if they won't extend. I'll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Tom

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Check for voltage at the shuttle valve?

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
Dachristianman wrote:
I took my daughter on a nature walk while I pondered motorhome ownership. When I returned, the power to the panel lights up. Strange thing is that when I open one of the T-handles and try to extend the jacks, the power to the control panel dies. There must be an internal breaker, because I can turn the power off and back on and everything comes back on. If I try to extend the jacks without the T-handle open, the pump will run but nothing happens at the jacks. The HWH manual says that if I have 3500 psi at the manifold, then it's the shuttle valve. I have no way to check to see if I have pressure, but since the slide operates, seems like their should be pressure there. Either way, I think I'm getting it narrowed down.

Tom


At each solenoid is a 2 wire quick connect. DISCONNECT that wire to the solenoid you are manually opening and retry. There is NOTHING that should cause a fuse or power outage, by opening the T handle, unless THAT solenoid coil has an internal short----BUT--- each solenoid is fuse protected. Each solenoid has its own fuse. THAT fuse would blow instead of the whole system. Now, Have you checked the 2 solenoids mounted on the HWH motor at the pump for the battery cables and nuts being tight and secure? Also, check the cable from the 12 volt motor to the activation solenoid. See if it is loose and wiggles AT the motor cable stud. IF it is loose and wiggles at the motor cable stud, the motor is burnt out internally. Doug

Dachristianman
Explorer
Explorer
I took my daughter on a nature walk while I pondered motorhome ownership. When I returned, the power to the panel lights up. Strange thing is that when I open one of the T-handles and try to extend the jacks, the power to the control panel dies. There must be an internal breaker, because I can turn the power off and back on and everything comes back on. If I try to extend the jacks without the T-handle open, the pump will run but nothing happens at the jacks. The HWH manual says that if I have 3500 psi at the manifold, then it's the shuttle valve. I have no way to check to see if I have pressure, but since the slide operates, seems like their should be pressure there. Either way, I think I'm getting it narrowed down.

Tom

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
My feed for jacks comes out of the battery control center on the chassis switched portion. I also have a control box fuse in the display panel which I did not see on the HWH Winnebago drawing.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

Dachristianman
Explorer
Explorer
I loosened a t-handle, turned the system on and pushed the up arrow to extend the jacks. The pump ran and one of the jacks began to extend and the whole system went off. Now the power light won't light up on the panel. I must have blown a fuse. I checked the 40-amp fuse and it's still good, so now I'm searching for whatever fuse controls the panel.

Tom

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Check the connector on the control panel to insure it is fully engaged.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

Dachristianman
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the thorough response. I'll open one of those t-handles and run the pump and see what happens and report back.

Tom