Community Forums

Janet&Sid · 08-29-2011, 03:03 PM

We are stuck in Newport OR with the jack down alarm screaming and the jacks are all up. It will go to travel mode for about 30 seconds after restarting then comes back on. Called HWH tech support twice early this morning but they have not returned calls. Local authorized tech told me to wiggle sensor wire at top of the jack and if that didn't work disconnect controller on dash, neither worked. I tried pulling the fuses in the HWH module that control the travel and jacks and that doesn't work. Just need to get the alarm off so we can drive to HWH repair facility. If I disconnect the wire at the top of the jack cylinder, will that do it? How do you do that if that is the case, I can feel it but can't see it to see how it comes off.
HELP please
Sid Hodgson
850-598-4797

EngineerMike · 08-29-2011, 03:39 PM

J&S- You'll find the schematic explaining (more or less) the fuses & LEDs on the motherboard here. The board's main fuse is #10 at lower right. Don't know if pulling that would neuter the warning.

There is a string of 8 LEDs in the middle, lower portion of the motherboard, top 4 are yellow and indicate Ground to the respective Jack Warning Switches. If you can figure out which jack has the offending switch, you can disconnect that switch & hopefully that will kill the warning. Remember you are now on full manual safety mode, so check jacks by eye. From top to bottom the yellow LEDs are:
LF
RF
RR
LR
Presumably you have one on and the rest not. It should correspond to a red LED on the touch pad showing a jack down. If you have two or more on that would be a weird coincidental simultaneous failure.

At my jacks I have two connectors, one 2-wire and one 1-wire. I believe the 2-wire connector is the Jack Warning Switch; I unplugged one and its corresponding yellow LED went out.
Hope this helps.

Algoma · 08-29-2011, 05:09 PM

You can drive with the alarm screaming, just put in ear plugs.

takepride · 08-29-2011, 10:41 PM

Sid et Janet:

That happened once to me. DSR jack was actually 1/4" down. I really couln;t tell visually, just a tiny bit of chrome showing. Pried it upwards with a 2x4 and block pivot. Alarm finally off. Determine which jack it is by the panel and try forcing it upward.

I later wiped mine down with some oil and the problem didn't return. 3 years now.

Mule Skinner · 08-29-2011, 11:52 PM

I had one that the light stayed on. Pulled the plug at the top of the jack. Was able to drive home. Just a visual every stop alone the way. I replaced the sensor and have not any problems since.

BCooke · 08-30-2011, 05:38 AM

My father actually was a pole he uses to put just enough tension on the pad to push it up that last hair. He has 2 that act up and does not even look any more, just tries one than the other.

gripper · 08-30-2011, 06:42 AM

Check the fluid level in your hydraulic oil reservoir. Mine will scream if the oil level is low.

Janet&Sid · 08-30-2011, 08:22 PM

Mike:
Thank you soo much for your advice and taking the time to call. Jacked the leveling jack up with hydraulic jack to no avail so I skipped the lubrication suggestion, pulled fuses didn't work either, the jack and alarm fuses did not silence the alarm and pulling the motherboard fuse started a clunking sound in the hydraulics as did disconnecting the controll panel.
Disconnecting the 2 wire connection on top of the cylinder did stop the alarm, but boy is it tough to get to (and hot too).
Will make a physical check each time jacks are brought up and every time I stop.
One aside, the excess slope indicator comes on when on level ground, but I can live with that as long as alarm and DW stop screaming.
Ordered sensor from Rick's RV in El Cajon CA and will have them go over the system when we arrive on the 9th.If that isn't the culprit I just have another spare part to lug around.
Thanks again for all your help and quick response by phone and sorry we won't be seeing you at the Albuqurque Rally. Thanks to you we pulled into our site at Sea Perch in Yachats OR just in time to see the whales jump and play right in front of the coach.
To evryone else thank you for your timely help in our hour of need, it was very appreciated. Mule Skinner you reinforced Mike's suggestion and I really should have started there but it was so darned hard to get to and the fuses and controller were so easy to get to.
Janet and Sid

Renipladlo · 08-31-2011, 11:27 PM

All - This has been posted prior to now but thought I would do it again so as to help folks who did not get it the last time. You should clean of the shinny surface of the jack about once a month or so. You should use HWH hydraulic fluid, easy to get a camping world by the quart; FWIW I carry two extra quarts. Or you can use transmission fluid, just remember to wipe off the excess fluid. Now another member talked to HWH and the tech he talked to said to also spray them down with 3M 08897 Dry Silicone Lubricant (NAPA can order it for you) at about 8 dollars a can. I do this as a double step, wiping down with the HWH, then clean towel wipe off the excess and they spray lubricant on another towel, and wipe them down again. I don't have any jacks which hang up at all. Since I am not perfect, I routinely forget to check the fluid level in the reservoir.