Hydraulic Leveling Jacks don't work, where to start?

[8thDegree]

Thanks for all the info everyone. This is exactly the kind of things that will get me started!

I was wanting to go and look over the rv yesterday, but it was raining, so I decided to wait. Hopefully I will get a little time this weekend to see if I can at least get closer to finding out what the problem is.

I did take the time to call Monaco and they sent me a copy of the owners manual. In it, I found a picture of the controls. It is an RVA System like Radacravitz said.


I also copied this picture from it that shows the reservoir and I am assuming that it is connected to the pump. Does anyone know if I am correct?


What it did not say was where it was located. Radacravitz, you said it was up front. Could it be in the front next to the generator?

Again, thanks for all the suggestions and I will keep everyone posted as I look towards getting these running again.

[Gorlininc]

Ok. I have the same system. It works in the accessory mode. The green light should light up. If not. You have no power. Check your fuse.
If it does light up. Lower the front jack at least one inch. You may not hear the pump. But you will feel the rig going up.
Then do the rear Be careful not to bring the rear off the ground. If the site is way off I'll put the rig on boards. U can usually correct the slope no more than 6 inches front to back.

[Radacravitz]

Originally Posted by 8thDegree

Thanks for all the info everyone. This is exactly the kind of things that will get me started!
I did take the time to call Monaco and they sent me a copy of the owners manual. In it, I found a picture of the controls. It is an RVA System like Radacravitz said.

Attachment 173430
I also copied this picture from it that shows the reservoir and I am assuming that it is connected to the pump. Does anyone know if I am correct?

Attachment 173431
What it did not say was where it was located. Radacravitz, you said it was up front. Could it be in the front next to the generator?

Again, thanks for all the suggestions and I will keep everyone posted as I look towards getting these running again.

glad to hear you're making progress and that several of us had the ACC position thing correct. vito identified the brand and location of the tank and i'm sorry, but i'm a noob on these, too, so maybe vito or another knowledgable person will lean in again.

hope it works as advertised for you ... let us know how things go!

[8thDegree]

The good news is that I went to the motorhome today to do some work. One of the big items on my list was the leveling jacks. I did what 44Tonner suggested (removing cup holder and making sure wires are tight on control switch) before I tried to engage them. Then put the key in the ignition on turned it acc. From there I switched the front jack first (like everyone told me) and heard the pump working! Hooray.

The bad news is that when I got to the motorhome someone called about a car I had listed for sale. We arranged to meet but then I was in a big hurry - so that is all I accomplished.

I will have to wait until next week to see if my problems are solved. I did not have a chance to run the generator out to see if the pump is located up there.

Keep your fingers crossed for me and I will keep everyone posted on what I find.

[Radacravitz]

good to hear they're operational ... wrt to time spent, good news -- you get to visit your coach again ;-)

[barmcd]

RVA has troubleshooting procedures on their website.

[8thDegree]

So I spent some time today looking over the leveling jacks and am still confused. First of all, I found the pump and the reservoir (I think) which is located behind the front of the coach accessible when the generator is pushed out. I saw a bit of hydraulic fluid on it and cleaned them up but then things interesting.

I put the key on acc and turned the power to the jacks on. Then I pushed the front jack lower button. After a few seconds a buzzer sounded. When I got out of the coach and looked, my front jack had lowered about 6 inches. I stopped at that point and after reading the owners manual it said to add dexron (hope I spelled it correctly) transmission fluid until the buzzer stops (it said one jack needs to be lowered 6 inches).

I had some transmission fluid in my truck, but it was dexron III. I believe it said it work work for all dexron II and III, however it did not say anything about plain dexron.

Also, after looking at the picture in the owners manual, I started questioning if I was going to put it in the correct reservoir. Here is the picture from my owners manual.


As you can see, there is another reservoir just underneath the one I assume is the pump. This is what they look like to me.

Here you can see the other reservoir that looks to have hydraulic lines attached.

I believe this is the leveling reservoir attached to the pump

I believe these are the individual solenoids that control each jack's movements.

At that point it started raining hard, so I packed up and came back home (coach is in storage). I did take the time to look over the RVA website and it has a lot of good information, but I need more.

I think the reseroir in the first picture labeled #1 is correct, but if that is true, what is #2? Also, someone please tell me if dexron II or III fluid is ok to use.

Thanks again for everyone's assistance!

[BFlinn181]

The original Dexron used whale sperm oil as an additive. Dexron II had corrosion inhibitors added that made it hygroscopic. (absorbed water) Dexron III also had issues. They are now filling new transmissions with Dexron VI.

Regardless of the number, you're using it as a hydraulic fluid to pump up pistons, not an automatic transmission subject to heat and constant circulation. Fill it up with what you've got, it will be fine.

[RCLImperial]

Is your gen set on a slide? The second reservoir could be for the hydraulic pump that operates that slide.

Dick L '04 Imperial

[JohnBoyToo]

Not sure what state your coach is in, but check and add fluid only if the slides are in and the jacks are up, otherwise you will overfill it and cause over pressure issues.

[aether_one]

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

Not sure what state your coach is in, but check and add fluid only if the slides are in and the jacks are up, otherwise you will overfill it and cause over pressure issues.

The only thing that will get "over pressured" is the tank when it overflows.

[8thDegree]

Thanks for the info everyone.

Good to find out more than I ever wanted to know about dexron transmission fluid!!

My generator is on a slide. I never thought about it being hydraulic so I will have to check that one as well.

Will hopefully be heading back this weekend to put transmission fluid in and see if this cures the noise in the cockpit and that all levelers extend and retract.

I will keep everyone posted!

[8thDegree]

Just wanted to let everyone know that my leveling jacks are now fully operational! I added a bit of transmission fluid and the electronic bell alarm turned itself off. We took the coach out this past weekend and other than trying to figure out the 3 jack system (my first coach had a 4 jack system), they worked flawlessly.

I think the beginning of my problems was that the switches had come loose from the wire connectors causing the whole thing not to work. Once I put them back on tight, the pump immediately started working.

Thanks again to everyone for all their help. I really appreciate it!

[Radacravitz]

great news, congrats!