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Yellowboat_'s avatar
Yellowboat_
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013

Kwikee Jacks Fail To Retract

I couldn't retract my jacks this morning. I got my manual and started trouble shooting. After removing the electrical connections and plugging them back in the lights started working on the control panel but the On/Off button would not energize the unit so that I could retract my jacks.

My manual said there was a jumper I could use to retract the jacks in an emergency. I looked through the "Black Bag" that came with our new Winnebago but I could not find the jumper.

This being New Years Eve Day I couldn't find anyone to repair my rig. They said that I had to wait till Thursday, Jan 2.

I called my home town dealer and they walked me though trouble shooting to no avail. My wife asked about the jumper that was listed in the manual and the tech had no clue.

Then another dealer near where I am currently parked called back to tell me where to find the jumper. No one I talked to knew anything about the jumper. This dealer said the jumper was tie wrapped to the wire bundle behind my jacks control panel. She said that their tech didn't think there was one but she found its location. Sure enough it was there.

It was late in the afternoon when I finally got my jacks up. We will leave here tomorrow on our way south. When we get to Southern California I will have someone fix my jacks.

Safe Travels. JD
Class A
  • drumhrd's avatar
    drumhrd
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2015
    I have successfully replaced my control panel with a wire built circuit. Most of my sensor sleeves are broken on my jacks, so I don't think they worked anyway. So I couldn't get up or all up indicators working. But having someone visual watch the jacks go up is fine by me.

    From what I can tell I found this parts list PDF and it has a picture of an unistalled system. here I am fairly confident this is what's on my RV.

    I found a simular post on this forum here But it is based on sending a ground signal to your pump vavles. My system is the opposite, I needed to send 12v positive to the system.

    I will post pictures and diagrams soon. woot woot so happy.
  • moodier's avatar
    moodier
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    After having my unit refuse to go down decided the safest method is the several boards I added to the bay!They can always be removed by moving the coach,this system has served me well for 40 years of RVing would like to get the jacks where they could be trusted but hate to always be worrying about getting them up or down.When I hit the switch 2 of the little lites of the 4 that are on the dash panel that I believe are the corners go on but get no reaction from the dash panel,I do have that wire loom mentioned earlier as they said it is under the dash by the back of the panel! not much in the instructions on the unit either.Tried to track down the mfg of the jacks but the company appears to have changed hands several times in last year or so!Like to here more about use of the jacks as long as they are there would be nice to be able to use them!!
  • drumhrd's avatar
    drumhrd
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2015
    96Bounder30E

    Would you happen to be able to tell me how you made that switch only setup? maybe a wire diagram. I am struggling with my older level best system. I have searched online and in RV salvages and cannot find a replacement. I think your solution may be the only one I have.

    Thanks!

    Tony
  • Yellowboat_'s avatar
    Yellowboat_
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2014
    My jacks are finally repaired. The ribbon connector that connected my touch pad to the circuit board had an open circuit. I could move it around till the wires made a connection and then carefully press the buttons and I could get my jacks to work.

    I contacted Power Gear via e-mail and they let me know that the part I needed was not available. It was being re-designed. The new touch pad/circuit board arrived a few days ago and I was able to make repairs to my jack system. It is now working great.

    I hope their design changes have improved the reliability of the touch pad/circuit board.

    Safe travels. JD
  • Yellowboat_'s avatar
    Yellowboat_
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    I found the problem with my Kwikee jacks. The touch pad control unit has an open circuit. If I move it around till the broken circuit makes contact I can raise or lower my jacks. I called Winnebago parts and they told me the touch pad was being redesigned. I e-mailed Power Gear (who now owns Kwikee) and they said a new touch pad will be available in 2 to 3 weeks.

    Safe travels.

    JD
  • Yellowboat_'s avatar
    Yellowboat_
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2014
    96Bounder30E

    That looks like a good solution. I still don't know what caused my problem. I'm looking for a fuse or circuit breaker in my system. I found one on the circuit board but it looks good. I have power at the pump so it could be a board. Monday I will schedule service as I will be in a park for a few days.

    Safe Travels.

    JD
  • 96Bounder30E's avatar
    96Bounder30E
    Explorer II
    Jan 01, 2014
    I sincerely hope your control board has not failed.........Kwikee is extremely proud of them!....My dad's Level best system went through 2 new control boards in just over 3 years......after buying 2 new boards and both failing I made him a non electronic board using simple switches.....

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