Almost thrown out of the seat...

[azloafer]

I drove the coach from the storage yard to our house. This is only a one mile trip. The coach drove fine. We loaded the coach for a weekend trip. I wanted to take it back to storage yard for the evening. I could tell something was drastically wrong before I reached the end of the block. Any little ripple in the asphalt caused the coach to bounce up and down so violently that I had to hang on to the steering wheel to avoid being thrown out of the seat. I mean, "just a ripple or bump in the asphalt!" I decided to limp back to the storage yard, driving no faster than 5-10 miles per hour. I made it there, but it bounced like crazy. I only have 7,000 miles on the coach. This is a "new to us coach." and this was to be our FIRST outing. During the trip to the storage yard, the dash display periodically showed a black engine with a white exclamation point. It did not stay on all the time. There was also a red clock like symbol with an arrow pointing at what would be eleven o'clock.

I found the explanation for the black engine symbol with the white exclamation point in my manual. It means something is wrong with the engine and it will start flashing before the engine shuts down. It never flashed and it never stayed on steady. I cannot find any explanation for the red clock like symbol in my manuals.

I could see nothing wrong under the coach. It was getting dark so I postponed having it towed until the morning. What would an engine problem have to do with the coach violently bouncing? I could see nothing wrong under the coach.

Any ideas what would cause this bouncing and engine problem warning message?

[autofish]

Sounds like the air bags were not aired up. I have moved my rig in and out of my shop with out air in the bags and it is real rough with out air. So if you leveled the rig the bags will deflat and you will need to hit the run [rabbit] button on the leveler pad to air the bags up. Hope this helps.

[azloafer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by autofish Sounds like the air bags were not aired up. I have moved my rig in and out of my shop with out air in the bags and it is real rough with out air. So if you leveled the rig the bags will deflat and you will need to hit the run [rabbit] button on the leveler pad to air the bags up. Hope this helps.

When I was parked at my house, I did lift the curb side of the coach to keep the steps from bottoming out. When I was ready to leave, I hit the "all up" button and when the jacks were up I left. The engine had been running during this time. When I pulled over on the way to the storage yard, I was checking underneath and the coach DID SEEM LOW, now that I think about it! I don't know what the "run" button is. I am looking at the Kwikee Hydraulic Leveler Manual as I type this. I can't find anything like "run". I had used the manual mode for the curb side only. I think you are on to something, but I am still confused. What do I do after I hit the "all up" and check under the coach and find that they ARE up???

[JohnLori]

I think autofish is referring to your airbags, not the jacks. Make sure both are in proper driving order--jacks up, airbags inflated.

[azloafer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnLori I think autofish is referring to your airbags, not the jacks. Make sure both are in proper driving order--jacks up, airbags inflated.

When I pulled over on the way to the storage yard I noticed that the coach WAS VERY LOW, so it is likely that the air bags were not filled. What can cause this and what can I do about it? I assume that I have to have it towed to the dealer.

[azloafer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by azloafer When I pulled over on the way to the storage yard I noticed that the coach WAS VERY LOW, so it is likely that the air bags were not filled. What can cause this and what can I do about it? I assume that I have to have it towed to the dealer.

Is there something that I can try before calling for a tow? I am handicapped so I can't do anything physical. Is there a control/switch somewhere that I should be looking for? Our first outing in this "new to us" coach is a bust!

[MrTransistor]

Hi Az.

Start the engine and set a higher idle, say 900 RPM if you can. Then on the HWH control, first turn it on, and then hit the ‘store’ button. Let the HWH control time out and turn its self off. This should take 2 to 3 minutes after all jacks are retracted (red lights out). Wait until the air pressure is up to the point that the air drier makes the ‘psheeee’ sound. Check outside the coach to see if the air bags have inflated. If they have, you should be good to go. At least this will take care of the severe bouncing.

As to the engine diagnostics, there may or may not be a problem. It could be that the error was indicating that the air pressure never reached the proper pressure. This could happen if the dump valve was still open but would probably reach the 65-PSI required to release the air brakes.

If this works, you’re on the road. If not, then it’s time for Freightliner to have a look.

[Roadking]

In the past I have somehow occassionally confused my HWH system and the air bags will not inflate properly. I used the following proceedure which is similar to what Mr Transister stated. This is for an HWH system. Other systems may have different indicators.


1) turn on the leveling system
2) press the store button
3) wait for the green "travel" light to illuminate
4) turn off the HWH system
5) start the engine
6) increase the idle speed (hit the fast idle sequence) and wait for the air bags to inflate.

This proceedure works for me and is slightly different from the Mr. Xister proceedure as I do not have to wait for the HWH to time out. That time out is a short time when leveling, but otherwise would be a very,very long time.


I don't know if this is true but I have been told not to drive the coach with the air bags deflated as this could damage the air bags as they could be pinched or punctured. Per chance someone else could verify this because if this is true then you would not want to have the coach towed until the bags are inflated properly.

SImilar to what was already said, I have moved my rig a very short distance and very slowly with the bags deflated, but only slowly and for a short distance.

[McDuff]

Just in case, since this coach is new to you, the fast idle sequence is:

Start engine, let run for a minute or so
Turn Cruise Control "on"
Hit the CC "Set" button once

This will raise your idle to ~900-1000

Do not try to put tranny in gear while in high idle(it will not let you anyway, just will flash your tranny display), hit the CC cancel button, or tap brake, to bring idle back down first.

[John Hilley]

The OP said " I am looking at the Kwikee Hydraulic Leveler Manual as I type this", I don't think he has the HWH system, but the Kwikee jacks.

[EngineerMike]

could be the brain in the leveler system needs a reboot; figure out which battery bank it is on (probably chassis) and shut off that battery bank, then turn it back on. Might cure a brain fart.

[azloafer]

Today I went to the RV storage yard thinking that I might have to have the coach towed to the dealer. Considering that yesterday's troubles started after leveling the coach, I decided to level again and then retract and see what happens. I have two places with leveler controls. Near the entrance door and in the power cord bay. With the engine running, I used the bay controls. There are two controls, level and store. I hit the level button and then it is automatic. When it was done, I hit the store button. I checked the dash and found that the air pressure was about 100. The coach body had elevated from 14 inches to 18 inches. I took it for a test ride and it was back to normal. No bouncing. The dash displayed an amber check engine light only when stopped at some traffic signals. As soon as I applied the accelerator , the light went out. This display only came on for a few seconds and not at every stop.

The dealer suggested I check all fluids which I did. Everything was fine. He felt that it was OK to use the coach unless the check engine light came on and stayed on. I have a couple of things for the dealer to correct so he will do a thorough check when I go in next time.

[W8RLM]

I'd go to a Cummins dealer and let him put his diagnostic meter read out the error codes that caused the Check Engine light to come on. I have a Cat engine in mine, and the warranty is three years, so you may well be in the warranty period.

I just had a trip from Cleveland to Knoxville and had continual Check Engine problems. Turned out is was biodiesel and gelling problems.

Cummins can tell you why it is coming on. If I'm not mistaken, the Latitude with a diesel has a Freightliner chassis, so that may be another source for help.

Good Luck

W8RLM - Bob

[Wayne M]

I had this same exact experience in my 2008 Destination shortly after I got it. I had extended my jacks in the driveway, and when I extracted them and drove off, the movement was violent. I pulled over and called the RV Dealer and spoke with the Service Manager. He said it sounded like a relay had not activated and most likely the air bags did not get air. He said to extend the jacks as far as possible and then retract them and see what happens. Everything was normal after that. I did check the fluid in the jack reservoir after that and it was a little low. I have never had the problem reoccur.

My Destination is the 39W also. Most likely everything we have is the same except the decor in the interior. Itasca is a little more "elegant." (So I've heard)