Community Forums

Bking · 05-18-2019, 10:47 PM

We just drove a couple hours away to visit friends and upon arrival our hydraulic leveling system doesn’t... room slides don’t...smart drawers aren’t...
I hear the hydraulic pump running but nothing moves. Oil level in reservoir is about half full. And it far now and pouring rain. Any help out there?

Arch Hoagland · 05-18-2019, 10:57 PM

Year, make and model would help.

How to make a signature for your RV so we can serve you better.

1 .Click "User CP" on left side of the screen in about the middle.
2. Click "Edit Signature" on left side 7 bars down under Your Control Panel.
3. Fill out your signature information.
4. Click "Save Signature"

Bking · 05-18-2019, 11:09 PM

I don’t know why that info doesn’t show. It’s on my profile but I’m using my iPhone so maybe that’s why.
Anyway 2007 Alpine apex 40’

Arch Hoagland · 05-18-2019, 11:41 PM

Are there any signs of hydraulic fluid leaking underneath the RV?

Do you have any fluid with you?

Rusty Bear · 05-19-2019, 12:39 AM

Sounds like a problem I hard with my coach.

Try this first....
1 Reboot your Vansco
2 Unplug, wait a minute then replug the power to your TM102 on the passenger side behind door where you have access to the holding tanks.

The TM102 is your Silverleaf control unit that controls jacks, rooms, tank readings and other functions on the coach. It's a black box about 8X4X1 with several plugs, some look like telephone lines.

If that doesn't work it could be bad plug wire into HWH system. (that was my problem and it took a long time to finally isolate the problem). Also could be a few other things.

Let us know of your progress.
Good Luck

RVPioneer · 05-19-2019, 07:47 AM

From your description, the level in the reservoir is low. It should be filled to the proper level. That may not be the cause of the problem but it would indicate the presence of a leak should the level become low again.

wolfe10 · 05-19-2019, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

From your description, the level in the reservoir is low. It should be filled to the proper level. That may not be the cause of the problem but it would indicate the presence of a leak should the level become low again.

CORRECT!

Hydraulic fluid is not "used"/consumed.

So, if low, there IS a leak. Find that. Fix it and bring fluid level to proper level.

If that doesn't fix it, THEN go deeper.

Bking · 05-19-2019, 09:08 AM

I’m off to grab some hydraulic fluid. Not sure if that will solve it because I opened and closed the smart beds and front cap before we left and they worked fine. No signs of a leak yet.

Rusty Bear · 05-19-2019, 09:14 AM

The fluid could possibly be the problem, but likely it would not quit suddenly.

The Apex slides and jacks work from inside the coach through the Silverleaf and also has an auxiliary pump (2 pumps), but the auxiliary pump will only work from the hard wired switched behind the door that houses the HWH system. Be sure the master switch in the HWH bay is on and the switch is on main. IF the switch is on Auxiliary, the pump will run but not move the jacks or slides from inside the coach. Try switching to auxiliary and using the hard wired switches in the HWH bay to open slides or drawers. If that works, then it's not fluid. Then it could be electrical. Remember, the Apex works through the Silverleaf and the Alpine Limited works from a key pad that is hard wired from the keyboard.

The drawers on my coach can only be controlled from the outside hard wired switches.

Also the plugs used on the Apex for the HWH system have a green removable center divider that feeds the Silverleaf. If that plug or divider is cracked or damaged, you could get all kind of symptoms.

Keep us posted

azpete · 05-19-2019, 09:21 AM

hi jim, we know that for a fact.
paul

Bking · 05-19-2019, 10:32 AM

Found the issue. And it’s a biggie. Exhaust duct came off of the back of the turbo which is at the front end of the engine. The pipe dropped down and melted a small hole in a hydraulic line below it. So now I can’t access the pipe from above because the bedroom slide won’t open... manual opening possible???

Rusty Bear · 05-19-2019, 11:01 AM

Can you duct tape the line enough to get it open? you may need to add fluid.

Bking · 05-19-2019, 11:13 AM

So just above the rear drive line in between the engine and the axle I found a 1/2” hydraulic line broke off at a union to another length of line. But I cannot find the other end.

Bking · 05-19-2019, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bking

So just above the rear drive line in between the engine and the axle I found a 1/2” hydraulic line broke off at a union to another length of line. But I cannot find the other end.

Found the other end. It goes to the actuator for the bedroom slide. No way to remove the line and have one made without opening the slide somehow I fear. So I’m off to try and get a splice piece made to make it work. Then I can open the slide, remove the step panel in front of the closet which will allow me access to replace the exhaust clamp on back of the turbo. Assuming I can find said clamp in Ridgefield WA on a Sunday.