Jacks Down Alarm

[Richardrky]

I am having a problem with my left front jack. The jacks down alarm came on about five miles from the campground. I tried resetting using the OFF and then STORE switches on my control panel to no avail. At the campground all the jacks worked and the coach leveled properly.

After leaving the campground the left front jack down red light came on again and the alarm sound. I had left the system in STORE as per the instructions. Nothing will reset the alarm and it is driving me crazy.

I found the 5 amp fuse labeled jacks alarms according to the Workhouse user's guide and the pictures that were posted earlier and pulled it. The alarm still sounds. Does any one know where the alarm itself is located so I can stopped this screaming noise and continue on to a service center.

Thanks
Richard 2004 Kountry Star W-22.

[padillab]

I have an Airstream LY Gas 30 w/ slide on a workhorse chassis and had the same type of problem when I first got it. I bought it used and am sure it sat around baking in the Florida sun before it came to me. The problem was a low level of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir. My guess is that some of the fluid evaporated. My reservoir is up front under the hood and there is a threaded plug that is easily removed. Once you remove it you can stick your finger in there or simply look in and check the level. Hopefully, this is all you need to do. Check your owners manual for what type of fluid to use, or look on the side of the reservoir. Bob

[tmitchell]

I have a 2004 DSDP and it needs to have the store button on whenever the MH is in motion or the jack alarm will eventually go off. On my 2002 DS this wasn't required.
Tom

[mountainkowboy]

When we first got our coach we had the same problem. Check to see if all the jacks are retracted, if they are, then you probably have a low fluid level. The alarm is controlled by a float in the storage tank, at least it is on ours.

["007"]

When you stop to check make sure all of the shinny part of piston on jacks is all retracted. If any part is showing your alarm will sound. Also make sure your fluid is between the two lines on rod on vent for tank with jacks retracted. You may need new springs if jack doesn't retract all the way.

[Richardrky]

Thanks to all for the replies. The fluid in the reservoir is OK. Since I couldn't silence the alarm by pulling the jack alarm 5 amp fuse, I unscrewed the leveling panel from the armrest and pulled connector CN2. That silenced the alarms which enabled me to continue on. I checked the left front jack and it appeared to be all the way up.
I still would like to know where that darn buzzer is located so I can beat it with a hammer. It's hard to think or do anything with that screaming noise going on. The noise is so dreadful that its borders on being dangerous because I couldn't give my driving my complete attention.
All jack springs were replaced about 3 months ago with new springs.

Thanks

[wa8yxm]

Are these Power Gear Hydraulic's Electrics or something else.. I have Power Gear Hydraulic, if you do not, skip to next reply now

I had problems with the front jacks not retracting properly... Read the Fine Manual and found the solutions (There are two)

First, if the jack is not fully retracting (There is "Sliver" showing) extend the jack and spray it down with Silicon lubricant. Then retract.. (They retract quickly)

On the rear jacks on my rig there are ZERK fittings, not mentioned in the manual, others whom I respect suggested a shot (one pump) of Lithium grease. Worked (so far)

If this solves our problem... POST

Now, if there is NO SLIVER showing (Which i suspect is not the case in your situtation so you can skip or read for future reference) then Power Gear uses a float valve in the reservoir to tell if the jacks are up (Tank full = Jacks up) and due to temperature changes the tank is no longer full

I find that mine will overflow in August and alarm in January,, Just top it off and it's good till next year

[Richardrky]

I forgot to mention that I have a HWH 325 leveling system.

[wa8yxm]

Glad I mentioned "if you don't have power gear hydraulics skip to next reply")

Can't help you with HWH

["007"]

Richard, on the Workhorse chassis under the front of your bumper??? drivers side you have a ground bolt, to frame x-piece, that has all the grounds for your solenoids for HWH system. Check this ground the white wires maybe loose and corroded and need to be cleaned up and reconnected. Place a STAR washer under nut so it will stay tight.
One of the grounds also goes to fuse panels under dash.
This THREAD may explain it more for you.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

I went through all of this a couple of years ago. Best solution i found was to always leave it in store mode while traveling. If I forget, the alarms sounds and I swallow my heart. But after about 3 or 4 months of this, I kinda got used to it. Some have said the springs are too weak to keep jacks up. New springs are about $21.46 per kit and about .4 hours labor to install one kit which is one jack.
Hope this is of some help.

[Richardrky]

The following is what I've put together on this problem as I remember it.
2/15/2009 - All Jack springs replaced by dealer with new tapered end springs.
4/12/2009 - Coach last used. All OK. Then it sat in shed.
6/11/2009 - Went to LOB. KY Hilman Ferry Campground.
Turned off I-24 and LF Jack Light came on with alarm blaring.
Could not turn off. Tried STORE. No help. Turned system OFF & then STORE. No help. Proceeded to campground with alarm sounding.
Coach leveled OK. All seemed to work fine.
6/13/2009 – Returned home.
Jacks retracted OK with LF jack slower than others.
Left system in STORE position with STORE light on.
About three miles from campground, LF Jack Light came on with alarm sounding.
Tried hitting STORE. No help. Turned system OFF and then STORE. No help.
Tried proceeding but could not because of alarm.
Could not locate buzzer. Pulled 5 amp fuse labeled JACKS ALARM. Did not stop buzzer. Replaced fuse.
Remove operator panel and unplugged CN2. That stopped the alarm. Proceeded on.
At destination, re-plugged CN2.
Lowered front jacks. Jacks went down but LF Jack would not retract.
Had to use 2/4 as leverage to retract jack.
Once jack retracted LF Jack red light turned off.
6/16/2009 12:30 - Called HWH.
6/17/2009 09:00 - HWH called. Explained problem to lady.
Told her HWH hydraulic fluid not available locally. She said use Dextron III auto. Transmission fluid.
She would have technician call me
6/17/09 16:31 – HWH technician had not called yet.

[Max Hubrich]

Richard---

Oemy sez to pull this fuse in the picture to silence the alarm----

Here is another tip for you Max... I pull fuse 15 on the Newmar supplied fuse panel to silence the "Jack Down Alarm".

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__________________
Dale/aka-Oemy Oemy's UltraPower Performance
Ultra Power'd/Ultra Trac'd
2004 Mountain Aire -1997 Honda CRV - Toad


Good luck Richard,

Max

[Richardrky]

Thanks for the information.
I spoke to Frank at HWH and he said not to use any lubrication on the jacks. I finally got to a service center and with HWH's advice, they decided the LF jack must be replaced to fix the problem.
HWH did not have any jacks available and the jack is back ordered. When it is installed I'll see if the problem is really fixed.
Thanks for the picture of the fuses!