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BabsinCA · 04-28-2017, 09:18 PM

We just bought a 2009 Phaeton 40QTH. As I was parking today, I had an alarm and one of the idiot lights on the dash was lit, a red circle with an exclamation point in it. Also, the both air pressure gauges were registering low. My questions are this:
1. Does anyone have a description of the symbols on the Phaeton dash? There's no mention of them in the owners' manual.
2. Could this indicate the air system isn't functioning properly?
Thanks.

**Lt Dan** · 04-28-2017, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabsinCA

We just bought a 2009 Phaeton 40QTH. As I was parking today, I had an alarm and one of the idiot lights on the dash was lit, a red circle with an exclamation point in it. Also, the both air pressure gauges were registering low. My questions are this:
1. Does anyone have a description of the symbols on the Phaeton dash? There's no mention of them in the owners' manual.
2. Could this indicate the air system isn't functioning properly?
Thanks.

1) This is from page 13 of the Freightliner Operator's Manual. The circle and exclamation can be either a low air warning or a transmission malfunction, depending on where it's located. From what you describe, it's probably the low air.
2) Yes, it definitely sounds like you have an air system problem either compressor or a major air leak.

2 Stroker · 04-28-2017, 10:14 PM

Sounds like you have a problem, here is the air brake test. If your air pressure drops to 40psi your parking brake will apply going down the road.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...=0&FORM=VDFSRV
2 stroker

BabsinCA · 04-30-2017, 08:15 AM

The parking brake isn't engaging but I can set it. The gauges go up to a certain level immediately when I start the engine. That feels like there's some residual pressure in each system, but neither go beyond that. Is the compressor belt driven? I can't find anything int he literature that says. Then there's the issue of getting into the engine compartment.

luvlabs · 04-30-2017, 11:41 AM

Your compressor is driven directly from the engine. After you shut the engine down, it is normal for air pressure to leak out of the system. If you leave the ignition on, you are going to get all the bells and whistles of the various alarm systems - air pressure being a major safety flag (hence the red symbol). After you have parked, leveled, and put out the slides, turn off your engine and pull the key out - no alarms should be sounding.

Not much need to get into the engine compartment. Most of the access is from underneath but there is a hatch in the bedroom to get at the top. Unless you are a diesel mechanic, I'd stay out of there.

Depending on who built your chassis, take it to one of them to thoroughly inspect the chassis, air system, brakes, and so on.

2 Stroker · 04-30-2017, 12:43 PM

Have you drained the air tanks to see if you have any water in the system. Do you know if the air dryer has been change. How many miles on your MH. Is it a Cat or Cummins.
This is the main reason I got a coach with a side radiator, you can see the motor and check all the belts.
2 stroker

twinboat · 04-30-2017, 01:44 PM

If you were using the brakes a lot while parking it, you could have used the air in the system faster then it could build back up. That would start the alarms.

If you start it up, watch the air gauges to see if they climb up to about 120 psi. At that point you should here a sound of some air blowing out. That is normal.

If it doesn't climb to 120 psi, call a mobile repair service. You don't want to be driving it with air system problems. There are safety systems that may leave you stuck in the middle of the road with the parking brakes on.

BabsinCA · 05-01-2017, 03:40 PM

Thanks, all. Here's a summary of how this happened.
After a short drive, I shut off my Phaeton to disconnect my towed vehicle. When I parked it, the low air pressure warning light and alarm came on and both gauges read low. I shut it off and restarted it 2-3 times but the alarm and readings remained. I called a mobile mechanic a couple days later, and while I was waiting for him, I started it and the pressure came up to normal and the alarm and light stopped. I turned the coach off and re-started it and the pressure came up to normal. Obviously, he couldn't diagnose a non-existent problem.

It's Freightliner chassis with a Cummins engine. And, 2 Stroker, I wanted a side radiator, but opted for the Phaeton because of the deal.