Leveling Jacks

[tropical36]

I've already posted this with the Workhorse forum and not so sure, I can post it again here, which may get some good feedback, but here goes anyway.

My leveling jacks retract automatically when I start the engine with an audible alarm and a blinking red light or at least they did up until now. The only thing I've done since I parked it in March was to top off the fluid tank and don't see what that would have to do with anything. The control pad still works for retracting them like most do, but no more auto and no alarm indicators. Jack power comes from the chassis battery, but not so sure about this auto and alarm system, but the house fused are all OK, as well.
Anyone have a similar coach and have had the same issue? I posted this earlier along with an engine problem, which I've now solved, so there was no relationship, I thought I would post this again as a sole issue.

[clyon51]

Does your Tropi-Cal have a Power Gear system? Looking at all my PG docs, I don't see any model that has an "auto" light on the control pad, at least in that era. Specific info on your system would be helpful.

[Dunner]

I believe that is normal if you do not have the parking brake set. I know mine will retract if I release the parking brake with the engine running or key to the On position.

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by clyon51

Does your Tropi-Cal have a Power Gear system? Looking at all my PG docs, I don't see any model that has an "auto" light on the control pad, at least in that era. Specific info on your system would be helpful.

Yes, Power Gear and no there isn't an auto light, but just down below the pad and next to my auto park's yellow knob (no foot pedal) there is a large round red light mounted in addition to the horn alarm on the PC bd under the control pad.

Now for an update and with further testing, it does sound the alarm with the large blinking red light as before, once you take it out of park and in to R or D and if it's supposed to work that way, then it's taken 6yrs since we've owned it, to repair itself. In some ways, this would make sense and in another way, you'd better be holding the wheel brakes, lest you forget them and don't see the little red light on the pad saying that they're down.

[chboone]

That is the way the power gear system works, so you can't drive off with the jacks down. With the jacks down, if you release the parking brake or take it out of park the alarm will sound and the red light will flash until the jacks are up.

[wlittle]

The only thing I've done since I parked it in March was to top off the fluid tank and don't see what that would have to do with anything. The control pad still works for retracting them like most do, but no more auto and no alarm indicators.

The sensor that controls the alarm senses the height of the fluid in the reservoir. If you filled it when the jacks were down then it will not alarm.

If the reservoir is full with the jacks down, it will overflow when the jacks are retracted.

[clyon51]

I'm not clear yet on your problem, so this is the way mine works, which is just a year or two newer.

With ignition on (or running) put in park, apply emgy brake. Turn system on with the pad, level coach, turn ignition off.

The BDS must be set so there is power to the coach anytime you use the levelers. I learned this one the hard way.

When leaving, ignition on (or running), leave in Park and emgy brake set. Turn system on with pad, retract jacks until jacks down light is out. If the light doesn't go out in a few mins, you need to add fluid.

Once light is out, turn system off, release brake and drive off. Anytime the brake is off or not in park, you will get flashing light and alarm.

[tropical36]

Originally Posted by clyon51

I'm not clear yet on your problem, so this is the way mine works, which is just a year or two newer.

With ignition on (or running) put in park, apply emgy brake. Turn system on with the pad, level coach, turn ignition off.

The BDS must be set so there is power to the coach anytime you use the levelers. I learned this one the hard way.

When leaving, ignition on (or running), leave in Park and emgy brake set. Turn system on with pad, retract jacks until jacks down light is out. If the light doesn't go out in a few mins, you need to add fluid.

Once light is out, turn system off, release brake and drive off. Anytime the brake is off or not in park, you will get flashing light and alarm.

I think you've just answered another question. The Fords of that era probably do work that way and all have a manual foot pedal that fits your description of operation, but my chevy has auto park and nothing else in that year model.
If what you were saying were true about mine, then it would mean that it's been broken for a very long time and has taken at least six years for it to repair itself. Also, I've found other chevy coach owners, between 96 and 99 that have this system and they still work in the way I've described.

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by tropical36

I think you've just answered another question. The Fords of that era probably do work that way and all have a manual foot pedal that fits your description of operation, but my chevy has auto park and nothing else in that year model.

Yes all Fords work that way. I know nothing about Auto Park. If this puts the trans in park and also sets a rear brake, that makes sense to me. No doubt a PG system would need a slight mod to deal with that.

However to me, by just starting the engine or just turning the ignition on, retracts the jacks without driver intervention, make no sense to me. On the other hand, since you are in auto park, I don't see any safety issues.

I many times turn my ignition on while camped to check various things out. So, I certainly wouldn't want my jacks retracting just because I turned my ignition on, or even wanted to start my coach.

Since I know nothing about your special (to me) system, I will respectfully back out and continue to watch with interest.

[96 Wideglide]

That would be annoying if your jacks retracted when you start the motor !!

[Dunner]

Just to throw a little "What?" into the conversation, I just tested mine. With the battery disconnect switch Off, and I turn on the ignition, the "Jacks Down" red light comes on. So does the "On Light" when I press that button. If I press the "Down Button" for front or rear jacks, nothing happens, however, if I press the "Retract" button, my jacks will retract. Whoever designed the interaction between switches, slides, steps, etc, for these coaches was a genius.

[Dunner]

I start my MH and genny about once a month to keep the seals lubricated.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by Dunner

I start my MH and genny about once a month to keep the seals lubricated.

Well, I guess if your jacks retracted when you started your motor, you'd be lubricating them as well !

[Dunner]

I leave the parking brake on and they stay down. I did silicon lubed and exercised them last week. They also have zerk fittings.