Community Forums

OldForester · 03-03-2008, 04:52 PM

Arriving in Georgetown, TX, today from Palm Springs, I noted our HWH hydraulic system control panel in the console of our 06 was losing contact as I pulled the console out from the dash. The more I pulled it the console out, the more frequently I would see the lights from the control panel, including the green "travel mode" light go out. It would disappear as I pulled the console out and illuminate as I pushed the console in. Further the hydraulic system lights did the same thing when I used them.

Looks like an obvious loose connection on the back of the HWH panel or its connections to the main wiring.

Has anybody experienced this and what suggestions might you have? I'm planning on removing the panel in front of the passenger seat tomorrow and chasing the loose connections down but thought maybe somebody else had some other ideas?

OldForester · 03-03-2008, 04:52 PM

Arriving in Georgetown, TX, today from Palm Springs, I noted our HWH hydraulic system control panel in the console of our 06 was losing contact as I pulled the console out from the dash. The more I pulled it the console out, the more frequently I would see the lights from the control panel, including the green "travel mode" light go out. It would disappear as I pulled the console out and illuminate as I pushed the console in. Further the hydraulic system lights did the same thing when I used them.

Looks like an obvious loose connection on the back of the HWH panel or its connections to the main wiring.

Has anybody experienced this and what suggestions might you have? I'm planning on removing the panel in front of the passenger seat tomorrow and chasing the loose connections down but thought maybe somebody else had some other ideas?

dgerstel · 03-03-2008, 05:09 PM

On my '02 I had similar problems with the wiring bundle between the dash and the "drawer" console, catching and pulling connections loose. After removing the dash cover on right, I watched the wires as I moved the drawer in and out. Tieing the wire bundle up better in such a way as to keep it from catching on anything as the drawer was pulled out cured the problem.

jerry davis · 03-03-2008, 06:08 PM

I did the exact same thing. using plastic ties. I bundled all the wires together after watching the flow while pulling the dash in and out. Solved the problem.

Gary Arnold · 03-03-2008, 08:02 PM

All coaches with a drawer have this problem. The cable pulls the circuit board connector loose and if not secured could break the circuit board containing the HWH push buttons.

I solved the problem by attaching a block of wood beside the cable at the connector on the drawer slide. Then using plastic ties securely anchored the cable to this block of wood. This way the cable will never pull on the connector or the circuit board.

OldForester · 03-04-2008, 12:24 PM

Thanks for the advice. It was exactly as you all said it was. I moved the console once this morning to try it again (jacks down) and the hydraulic panel lost power totally. When I removed the side panels and pulled the drawer in and out I noticed a green wire on the plug to the circuit board was hanging loose from the plug.

Five hours and a purchase of a couple simple tools from the local auto parts store, I secured a temporary fix by soldering another piece of wire to the broken one, and using one of the tools I purchased made for extracting female connectors from plastic blocks (which didn't work)I managed to get the new wire into the block and crimped inside the old connector. It's still a little loose but it gets power. Then I used electrical tape to wrap the connector and wires together so the wires wouldn't pull out of the connector block and hold the wire somewhat tight in the block. At least it allowed me to get my jacks back up.

My permanent fix is having HWH send me a new pigtail connector with wires. I will cut the wires to the existing connector and solder the new pigtail to the existing wires. This will give me another 3 or 4 inches of wire to work with, which will help a lot. At least then I will have new, firm connections. Plan to install that after it arrives tomorrow afternoon.

I noticed the wiring bundle that holds these wires puts a drag on the connector because it doesn't have enough slack at the right time, which is what you said would happen. So I am tieing the bundles together with zip ties to hold it better and allow for a more free flow.

F&D ABQ · 03-24-2008, 11:29 AM

I had the same problem with my '01, but don't recall needing such drastic measures. Probably just a matter of time.

Anyone get around to replacing the console drawer with a fixed panel? It looks like it would not be hard to do.

rjv1210 · 03-25-2008, 03:59 PM

I had the same problem on my 02. I saw the new 08s and decided to get rid of the draw. Pull the draw out and remove the tracks. I used a piece of .060 aluminum, bent it about 4 to 5 inchs down from the top to match the dash angle. The HDH control and the switches are mounted here. The panel must be a tight fit, so start a little larger. I used 3 # 10x1 screws to secure it to the plywood at the bottom. Removing the draw allowed me to move the drivers seat to the right 1 3/4 inchs so the steering wheel is centered on the seat. It also mades it easier to reach the go pedal. happy motoring Rick

Beagle RC Air · 03-25-2008, 08:02 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rjv1210:
I had the same problem on my 02. I saw the new 08s and decided to get rid of the draw. Pull the draw out and remove the tracks. I used a piece of .060 aluminum, bent it about 4 to 5 inchs down from the top to match the dash angle. The HDH control and the switches are mounted here. The panel must be a tight fit, so start a little larger. I used 3 # 10x1 screws to secure it to the plywood at the bottom. Removing the draw allowed me to move the drivers seat to the right 1 3/4 inchs so the steering wheel is centered on the seat. It also mades it easier to reach the go pedal. happy motoring Rick </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Rick, Any chance you could post a picture of the finished product? That drawer is a 'PITA', always having to reset gen and room slide switches.

Rick Coleman · 03-27-2008, 06:29 AM

How do you remove the side panels of the moveable console to access the wiring?

OldForester · 03-27-2008, 08:55 AM

Rick,

You can access the wiring easily by removing the panel in front of the passenger seat first and then the panel next to it that adjoins the console (the two panels are velcroed together; use a credit card or similar to separate the velcro). If you then carefully remove the HWH control panel from the drawer you can get to all the wires relatively easily either from the side or through the hole for the HWH control panel. My HWH control panel had a five prong clip that holds the wiring to the panel; it can be removed by carefully separating the plastic catch that holds the wire bundle to the control panel.

rjv1210 · 03-27-2008, 02:20 PM

I have some pictures of how I redesigned the console, removing the drawer and making a panel.
I can not seem to get the pictures to post on the forum, so if you are interested in seeing the pictures, you can e-mail me at
rjv1210@aol.com
Rick

takepride · 03-30-2008, 06:17 PM

Rick:

To post photos, read this link to the Website Technical Support forum HERE. I'd love to see your mod! That drawer drives me nuts!

Thanks in advance.

Wallyswift · 04-01-2008, 06:54 AM

I just received Ricks pictures on his revamped console. What a great job with the up-grade looks like it was always there thanks for sharing this problem solver Rick it's going to make lot's of people happy to solve this design !!GOOF!!