HWH leveling jack won't go up

[Dave_Spurgeon]

I have a '98 Winnebago Brave w/ HWH leveling jacks. Three days ago, my right front jack didn't raise with the left. They were both extended just about all the way. I eventually get it to go up, but I want some direction as to how to proceed to get it repaired. Thank you.

[Keily]

I am having a problem with my HWH jacks as well as my slides. I have a 1999 Winnebago Chieftain, and at times when I set the park brake my indicator lite tells me my brake is not set and thus the jacks will not go down. I try several times putting the brake on and off and it will eventually hit the sweet spot and allow the jacks to go down.

My question is this, does anyone know where I can find the switch or sensor that the HWH system has to see is engaged before it will allow the system to work? I am assuming it is a loose connection somewhere on the brake pedal, sometimes all I have to do is just shake the pedal side to side and it will work, but it never seems to do it when we are in a hurry.

I thank you in advance for your help

[Dave_Spurgeon]

Thanks for all the feedback. I've actually been operating this system full-time for 8 years, so I know how to operate it. My understanding is that there is only one solenoid for the front two jacks, so if one is releasing properly, the solenoid is working. This isn't a weak spring issue. The right front jack was not releasing. It is most likely bent, from being overextended, in the Florida Keys, under extremely windy conditions. I got it to release by putting a jack stand under the axle on the front left side, distributing the weight more evenly. I was hoping to here a valve was stuck on that side, but I am afraid it is bent. My fault. I'll never over half way again. By the way, the HWH website recommends WD40 to lubricate the shaft. Again, thanks for all the feedback.

[Fishinghat]

dougrainer wrote:

Fishinghat wrote:
When problems occur with the HWH system and it has to do with the right front jack, it isn't the jack itself. For some reason, that's the jack that is the last to get fluid or have the air bled off.

I'd check the solenoid like Brett suggested. He knows this stuff frontwards and backwards. Check to see if the handle is partially turned in. It has to be all the way out.

Due to the age of your coach, I'd change the fluid. It uses MD3, or the old style GM transmission fluid. It takes about a gallon. Syphon out the old fluid, pour the new stuff in and recycle the jacks several times.

Finally, lubricate the shinny part of the jack with the same MD3, using a rag or paper towel. I spray my jacks with silicone spray and have been doing that for over 10 years. They retract and store in about 5 seconds, and work great. I understand you should not use WD40 for some reason.

My springs are all still original and the jacks are all still original. I haven't replaced anything except the fluid. The coach is 20 years old.

When I had a problem with my right front jack, HWH said to send it to them for rebuilding. I didn't. They didn't have any other suggestions. Others on this forum suggested lubricating the jack and that's what I did. I changed fluid as a preventive measure and since it so easy and cheap.

Do you have kick down jacks? The reason I ask is simple. There is NO WAY 4 jacks can retract in 5 seconds. There is NO way 1 jack can retract in 5 seconds. But, if you have kick down jacks, yes the jack can kick up in 5 seconds but then it still has to fully retract the cylinder. Changing fluid will not change any aspect of the jacks. Doug

Yes, I have kick down jacks. And, yes, they store in something like 5 seconds. I can hear them when they "park" up after retracting and my lights go out. I confirm they are up by physically checking. I don't know why my jacks should be so much faster than other owner's jacks, but I can only assume it has to do with the amount (quite a bit) of silicone spray I've used over the years. I don't think the return lines are larger or the springs are stronger. I don't have any other logical explanation.

[wolfe10]

Dave,

Please confirm that you are using the correct (by the book) method for stowing the jacks.

On our Foretravel with HWH kickdown jacks, the correct procedure was to start the engine. Turn on jacks and hit stow. DO NOTHING ELSE-- let it turn itself off-- takes several minutes during which fluid continues to bleed back to the reservoir.

If, for example, you turned off the jacks after the buzzer quit, you would still have quite a lot of fluid in the jacks and lines.

[aslakson]

If you're going to change the fluid, make sure the jacks are UP and the slides are IN before you do. That'll get as much of the fluid into the reservoir as possible.

Plus, it's not a good idea to open the hydraulics up while the system is under pressure.

Learned all of this the hard way. Had to buy a LOT of kitty litter. 🙂

al

[dougrainer]

Fishinghat wrote:
When problems occur with the HWH system and it has to do with the right front jack, it isn't the jack itself. For some reason, that's the jack that is the last to get fluid or have the air bled off.

I'd check the solenoid like Brett suggested. He knows this stuff frontwards and backwards. Check to see if the handle is partially turned in. It has to be all the way out.

Due to the age of your coach, I'd change the fluid. It uses MD3, or the old style GM transmission fluid. It takes about a gallon. Syphon out the old fluid, pour the new stuff in and recycle the jacks several times.

Finally, lubricate the shinny part of the jack with the same MD3, using a rag or paper towel. I spray my jacks with silicone spray and have been doing that for over 10 years. They retract and store in about 5 seconds, and work great. I understand you should not use WD40 for some reason.

My springs are all still original and the jacks are all still original. I haven't replaced anything except the fluid. The coach is 20 years old.

When I had a problem with my right front jack, HWH said to send it to them for rebuilding. I didn't. They didn't have any other suggestions. Others on this forum suggested lubricating the jack and that's what I did. I changed fluid as a preventive measure and since it so easy and cheap.

Do you have kick down jacks? The reason I ask is simple. There is NO WAY 4 jacks can retract in 5 seconds. There is NO way 1 jack can retract in 5 seconds. But, if you have kick down jacks, yes the jack can kick up in 5 seconds but then it still has to fully retract the cylinder. Changing fluid will not change any aspect of the jacks. Doug

[rgatijnet1]

You didn't say where you were at the time the jack would not retract, which could be the reason. I have had my jacks FREEZE to the ground in cold temps. Since the retraction is by springs, and not hydraulic pressure, if something like ice is holding the jack down, it will not retract. Once the ice melts, or the ground softens, everything is back to normal.

[Daboo]

write azpete a pm and he can tell you what is wrong...He was or is an HWH rep and was very helpful when I had a problem with all four jacks not retracting....

[egh33]

I have had the same problem with the right rear jack, been that way since it was new.
They supposedly repaired it about 3 times till it was out of warranty. Then I just gave up.
If the jacks are lowered for more than a day it takes it about 15 minutes to go up. If it is pretty cool weather it some times takes longer. I just never get in a hurry. Good Luck
This jack is on a 06 Winnebago Adventurer.

[Fishinghat]

When problems occur with the HWH system and it has to do with the right front jack, it isn't the jack itself. For some reason, that's the jack that is the last to get fluid or have the air bled off.

I'd check the solenoid like Brett suggested. He knows this stuff frontwards and backwards. Check to see if the handle is partially turned in. It has to be all the way out.

Due to the age of your coach, I'd change the fluid. It uses MD3, or the old style GM transmission fluid. It takes about a gallon. Syphon out the old fluid, pour the new stuff in and recycle the jacks several times.

Finally, lubricate the shinny part of the jack with the same MD3, using a rag or paper towel. I spray my jacks with silicone spray and have been doing that for over 10 years. They retract and store in about 5 seconds, and work great. I understand you should not use WD40 for some reason.

My springs are all still original and the jacks are all still original. I haven't replaced anything except the fluid. The coach is 20 years old.

When I had a problem with my right front jack, HWH said to send it to them for rebuilding. I didn't. They didn't have any other suggestions. Others on this forum suggested lubricating the jack and that's what I did. I changed fluid as a preventive measure and since it so easy and cheap.

[wolfe10]

Could be the solenoid for that jack. HWH has some pretty good help by phone and on line.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Get a long 2x6 and pry it up. I have a lazy one once in a while.