American Coach: 2010 Eagle Entry Door

[CompuGuru]

I have a question concerning the air pressure locking of the avionics entry door on my 2010 American Eagle 45B.
It took me 3 weeks to finally figure out that the horizontal toggle switch next to the passenger seat was what controlled the air pressure licking system for the entry door.
My problem is this. When the switch is in the forward position, the door is air locked, however, when I open the door from the inside, I can hear the pressure release and the door will open. Once I go outside and close the door, even with the engine stopped and key out of the ignition, the air pressure immediately repressurizes and locks the door (avionics lock only) the normal lock stays unlocked. I am effectively locked out and although I can raise the outer latch, the door will not open. Luckily, both times it happened, my wife was inside and could open the door for me.
This only occurs when the switch is in the forward position. In the back position, everything works properly.
Is this "normal " operation? Or is there a release inside the door handle itself that is releasing when the inside handle is used but not releasing with the outside handle?
Or, is this an operation that should never occur in the first place? A lot of work was done at the dealer correcting air leaks. Including a punctured airline inside the panel the switch is mounted to.
Any thoughts on this?

[Car1]

Originally Posted by CompuGuru

I have a question concerning the air pressure locking of the avionics entry door on my 2010 American Eagle 45B.
It took me 3 weeks to finally figure out that the horizontal toggle switch next to the passenger seat was what controlled the air pressure licking system for the entry door.
My problem is this. When the switch is in the forward position, the door is air locked, however, when I open the door from the inside, I can hear the pressure release and the door will open. Once I go outside and close the door, even with the engine stopped and key out of the ignition, the air pressure immediately repressurizes and locks the door (avionics lock only) the normal lock stays unlocked. I am effectively locked out and although I can raise the outer latch, the door will not open. Luckily, both times it happened, my wife was inside and could open the door for me.
This only occurs when the switch is in the forward position. In the back position, everything works properly.
Is this "normal " operation? Or is there a release inside the door handle itself that is releasing when the inside handle is used but not releasing with the outside handle?
Or, is this an operation that should never occur in the first place? A lot of work was done at the dealer correcting air leaks. Including a punctured airline inside the panel the switch is mounted to.
Any thoughts on this?

When you are experimenting with the engine off and the key out of the ignition, do you have your maxi-brake(parking brake) pulled out?? Not having the brake pulled out is the key to the issue. I would double check the brake position first.

[CompuGuru]

Transmission is in neutral and the yellow parking brake is set (pulled out).

[CompuGuru]

Car1, I totally agree with you and thank you. This is NOT normal behavior of the avionics system and should be disabled as soon as the parking brake is set. I'm at the REV technical service center right now waiting on a replacement jack and will bring it up with Ted, my service writer.
I was hesitant to discuss it with REV, because of the $129/hr service fee, but this could end up costing me much more than that if i get locked out again.
Thanks for the pointer!

[Car1]

Post the end result. I know your pain on the labor rate. I was at REV in Decatur and was charged 1/2 hour labor for asking a question!!

[Cat320]

I hate to break it to you, but $129 is relatively low. I've been to two Freightliner dealers in the last three weeks, one was $150/hour the other (in Dallas) was $189. Those rates are $10 and $24 above the truck rates.