Help! Jacks Won't Retract

[rickandcheryl]

Can't get the HWH jacks to retract. I hear a click (up front by the hydraulic unit) when I push the "store" button, but the jacks do not retract. What am I missing??

[JCM]

Phone HWH. They will help you.

[wkdwitch]

hwh troubleshooting says:
AUTOMATIC STORE (RETRACT) SEQUENCE
1. The ignition must be in the ON or ACC. position. If the ignition is in the ON position,
the master warning light and buzzer will be on while the jacks are retracting.
2. Push the "STORE" button. The touch panel does not have to be on.
3. The two front jacks will start to retract.
4. Five (5) seconds later the rear jacks will start to retract.
5. The red warning lights on the touch panel will go out as each jack retracts within 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
6. Six minutes after the last red warning light goes out, the touch panel will turn off.
NOTE: If one or more jacks will not retract and/or a red jack down warning light will not go out, the system
will stay in the STORE mode for thirty (30) minutes from the time the "STORE" button was pushed
then the system will turn off. The "TRAVEL MODE" light will not be on.

hope this helps

[DancinCampers]

Check the 40amp inline fuse near the motor solenoids, at least that was my issue.

[JucenBrudi]

I have had something similar. Adding fluid to the hydraulic system cured the problem immediately.

However, I also learned DO NOT top off the hydraulic fluid with the slides and jacks extended. That leads to over filling so when the slides and jacks come back in the new fluid spills out on the ground.

I know I should find a level site and top off the fluid when the jacks and slides are not deployed. However, I find it very difficult to read my fluid level from the dipstick and also difficult to be at a level site when the slides and jacks are in. What I've been doing to get by is when it starts to seem the jacks are sluggish, I add a small amount, 3/4 to 1 oz, of fluid even though the jacks and slides are deployed. [I aim to finally figure out how to get good readings of the level, find a level site to check it, and top it off properly.]

Of course, low fluid level might not be your problem so I'd be careful to read your current level. If you can't read a level it sounds like you need fluid and careful addition of small amounts until the jacks work might get you going.

Good luck.
Bruce

[rickandcheryl]

Randy from HWH called back and we went through some troubleshooting steps and found a bad shuttle valve. Overnighted a new valve and installed it yesterday. Jacks work great now. Thanks Randy and HWH for great customer service.

[max49]

It would'nt be very good customer service if you were stranded for a week in the middle of no where because the jacks would'nt come up. Is there another emergency way to retract them?
Those jack legs may be a challenge for a hack saw.

[dieselclacker]

Max, the HWH jacks on my Workhorse are spring loaded up, and hydraulicly pumped down. There is a manual pressure release screw for each jack on the control valves near the control board and pump. If worse came to worse, one could always just disconnect, (loosen the line at the jack) and the spring would pull the jack to the park position, could be a little messy if one were not too quick. For binding or galling of the jack cylinder ram, well there is always that 5 foot piece of 2X4 available somewhere to give the ram a little assist (pry). I have done the prying bit a couple of times.

Dieselclacker

Off subject. How long are you laid up for with the broken hip? No fun I know, had the same break as you 14 years ago. Hope things are going well for you.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselclacker ...

D, I thought that there was some type of electrical solenoid at the jack and once open that the fluid could be coerced to flow back to the tank. I have had slow retracts and just went under the rig and pushed up on the mushrooms.

I was thinking that if it were just a matter of breaking a hydraulic line that wouldn't be too much of a reassuring thing if a line let loose. You see I thought that once the system was pumped up that the hoses no longer carried pressure. Perhaps you can S'plain that to me so even I can understand what's going on. I know I got a new set of retract springs, their tapered and not the square ones I had.

Quote:

About Max49: Off subject. How long are you laid up for with the broken hip? No fun I know, had the same break as you 14 years ago. Hope things are going well for you.

Yes Max, Here we are in the height of the recreation season and you're on the side lines. I hope you get better soon!

[dieselclacker]

DriVer, the HWH jacks on my Allegro have no solenoid valve on top of the jack. There are a couple of wires at the top going to a switch that senses when the jacks are not all the way up in the retract position. This sensor will light a warning light for that particular jack, and start the warning gong. The hydraulic line goes direct from the control solenoid valve to the jack. It connects to the top of the ram with a "T" fitting, looks like about 1/8 inch pipe. Other end of T has a female plug.
The control valves are manually operable in case of emergency. They are located in front of radiator in my case. The vent cap for the oil reservoir has a built in 1/4 inch socket, that fits the control valve release valve, letting off the pressure. I haven't did it, but am sure releasing the pressure in the line will allow the jack to retract, I of course would disconnect at the upward end. Don't want the W-22 on top of me.

Dieselclacker

[jtroop]

When I did my walk through with the dealer, I think he mentioned there is a valve by the fluid reservoir that can be manually opened to allow hydraulic fluid back into the reservoir. Then one can aid the springs (2x4, bar, etc.) if need be to retract the jacks. Does this seem right?

[dieselclacker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtroop When I did my walk through with the dealer, I think he mentioned there is a valve by the fluid reservoir that can be manually opened to allow hydraulic fluid back into the reservoir. Then one can aid the springs (2x4, bar, etc.) if need be to retract the jacks. Does this seem right?

You got it troop, directions are in your owners packet for the HWH. Valve is operated by a 1/4 inch socket that is built on to the reservoir vent cap.

Dieselclacker

["007"]

jtroop, each jack has a solenoid near the reservoir with a T valve that you turn to allow the springs to pull jack pad up for full retraction. Don't over turn valve.
If the jack "O" rings inside jack are binding the shaft so jack can't retract you take a 8 ton jack and jack up chassis frame near faulty jack and place wood blocks under jack pad.
When you release the 8 ton jack, blocks will force the bad jack upward. You may have to do a couple of times to get faulty jack up so alarm is off when driving.
Some times a 2x4 will not help you if rings are twisted inside jack.

[jtroop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" jtroop, each jack has a solenoid near the reservoir with a T valve that you turn to allow the springs to pull jack pad up for full retraction. Don't over turn valve. If the jack "O" rings inside jack are binding the shaft so jack can't retract you take a 8 ton jack and jack up chassis frame near faulty jack and place wood blocks under jack pad. When you release the 8 ton jack, blocks will force the bad jack upward. You may have to do a couple of times to get faulty jack up so alarm is off when driving. Some times a 2x4 will not help you if rings are twisted inside jack.

My hydraulic levelers are Power Gear. Would this be the same procedure? I have to notify Fleetwood that I didn't receive the leveler manual. Same goes for the slide out manual.