Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Class A Motorhome Discussions
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-02-2013, 01:16 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
Air ride susp. Revolution. Air bags won't inflate.

I put the Fleetwood into gear once without raising the jacks.
The Power Gear alarm went off and I reversed the procedure and put it back in N and raised the jacks.
All went well until I realized the air bags did not inflate.
We have cycled the system many times since then and they will not inflate unless I crawl under the coach and hit the button manually on the Parker/Hannafin air celinoid. It airs up then and remains aired while we drive but as soon as you lower the jacks it kicks out and you have to manually push the little button on the celinoid.
What part, fuse, breaker, celinoid, dump valve Or motor home do I have to replace?
fltrker is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 10-02-2013, 03:01 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Tha_Rooster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 8,638
Once you put it in gear did they not come up along with the alarm I'm confused about you reversed something.
__________________
2007 Fleetwood Revolution LE 40V
Tha_Rooster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2013, 08:16 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
ChasA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 1,857
You might try disconnecting the chassis battery for a couple of minutes. This usually fixes mysterious anomalies in my Winnebago.
__________________
2010 Winnebago Journey Express 34Y
2010 Freightliner XCS (mfd 9/'09)
'07 Saturn Vue V6
ChasA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2013, 09:00 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
akeyzoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 962
Couple of points/observations with my Rev. Never START the engine with jacks deployed. The bags will inflate and the jacks dont like it. That will also prevent you from putting the tranny into gear.

I agree to disconnect power.

If that doesnt work try operating the manual dump switch to see if that "resets" things.

If all else fails call your chassis manufacturer.
__________________
------------------------------------
American Revolution 40L CAT C9
Samsung 197, TireMinder, Ready Brute Elite with Wrangler
akeyzoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2013, 02:51 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Tha_Rooster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 8,638
Quote:
Originally Posted by akeyzoo View Post
Couple of points/observations with my Rev. Never START the engine with jacks deployed. The bags will inflate and the jacks dont like it. That will also prevent you from putting the tranny into gear.

I agree to disconnect power.

If that doesnt work try operating the manual dump switch to see if that "resets" things.

If all else fails call your chassis manufacturer.
I always start engine then retract jacks which will not come up till air is full.
__________________
2007 Fleetwood Revolution LE 40V
Tha_Rooster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2013, 08:25 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Petes Dad's Avatar
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Casper, Wyoming
Posts: 246
Quote:
Originally Posted by akeyzoo View Post
Couple of points/observations with my Rev. Never START the engine with jacks deployed. The bags will inflate and the jacks dont like it. That will also prevent you from putting the tranny into gear. I agree to disconnect power. If that doesnt work try operating the manual dump switch to see if that "resets" things. If all else fails call your chassis manufacturer.
Why is inflating the bags bad for the jacks? Why can't you put the tranny in gear? Just checking to see if the revolution is different. Filling the bags with the jacks down is actually better on the bags and the jacks don't care. The transmission will also go into gear and move, but you will get the warning buzzer. You see that happen anytime the fluid level is a little low in the jack hydraulic reservoir. Cycling the manual dump valve may help, but it sounds like one of the solenoid a on the fill/dump valve is not working. You can swap them from side to side to prove this and to fill the bags and travel.
__________________
2013 Newmar Essex 4544
69' Camaro in tow
Petes Dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2013, 08:56 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
D Lindy's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,636
akeyzoo; Power Gear jacks will not operate unless the ignition key is on, their manual states that the engine must be running in order to provide enough power to properly operate their leveling system. The air bags on a power gear system will not inflate till the jacks are all the way up.
__________________
2012 Journey 40U (Our Incredible Journey)
2008 Dodge Dakota(TOAD) 2005 Honda Shadow in TOAD
AF-1 braking system
D Lindy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2013, 09:43 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Clayobx's Avatar
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Willow Lakes RV & Golf Resort, FL
Posts: 3,163
Quote:
Originally Posted by D Lindy View Post
akeyzoo; Power Gear jacks will not operate unless the ignition key is on, their manual states that the engine must be running in order to provide enough power to properly operate their leveling system. The air bags on a power gear system will not inflate till the jacks are all the way up.
Power Gear jacks will not operate unless the ignition is on. True. However, the engine should be running so that additional amps. assist in retraction. If not a great way to spend money! The air bags will inflate with the jacks down, at least on our Providence. I have used this method many times when on uneven ground thus preventing stress on the rams and seals.
__________________
Clay & Pebble
2012 Providence 42 M. Spartan Chassis, 450 ISL
Ford Edge toad, RM All Terrane, TST TPMS, SMI Air Force One, RVM95....
Clayobx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2013, 01:01 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
akeyzoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 962
Perhaps it's a "Revolution Thang". If you have ever seen the bags deflate on a Rev the coach will actually do down AND forward about 6". It's the forward forces the bags introduce that make me uneasy. When I start my rig, the inflating bags actually pull the coach rearward WHILE lifting. I hear creaks and noises I prefer not to repeat. I have talked to other Rev owners that experience the same thing, at least on the Spartan Liberty platform.

Also, my system is not Power Gear, rather Equalizer Systems.
__________________
------------------------------------
American Revolution 40L CAT C9
Samsung 197, TireMinder, Ready Brute Elite with Wrangler
akeyzoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2013, 01:49 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
GregOk80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Glenpool, Oklahoma
Posts: 326
I have a 2002 Fleetwood Revolution with Power Gear with the Freightliner chassis and the air bags drop on my coach, the coach comes straight down about 5 inches. The leveling system has control of the air bag system and would lead me to believe that should be true. I had a low voltage on my Power Gear and it did some weird things.
GregOk80 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2013, 06:32 AM   #11
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
Thanks for all the replys - most people in rv repair shops don't know what to fix, replace or rewire either.
Nor does Fleetwood guy. He says take it to a freightliner dealer. So I called a couple and they were evasive as to knowing what to do or replace.
I was not interested in paying for some high dollar on the job training only to have various items replaced at my expense plus labor and training and still have an inoperative device.
But it is fun reading all the debate about other thoughts and scenarios that are related. Keep posting. I am sure I will read about what the problem is eventually.
fltrker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2013, 07:29 AM   #12
Moderator Emeritus
 
JMonroe's Avatar


 
Jayco Owners Club
RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poinciana FL
Posts: 7,781
The engine is supposed to be running before retracting the slides and/or the jacks. I have, at least once, put the coach in gear with the jacks down and did get the warning buzzer. It's been so long though I don't remember if they started to come up on their own or if I had to hit the retract button to get them up. I had no further issue with the air bags as a result.

The bags will start to inflate if not before the jacks are retracted, at least simultaneously. It's hard to tell as it's all automatic, with the touch of one button, and at least seems to happen simultaneously.

As was discussed in an earlier thread, all works best if the air pressure is fully up before retracting the jacks. Shortly after starting the engine I'll boost the idle up to 1k which speeds that up. By the time I've finished retracting all the slides the air is at full pressure.

The chassis moving forward 4 or 5" when the air bags deflate is normal and, apparently, common to the Spartan chassis. It was explained to me by a Spartan rep once but I don't remember the why. It doesn't make sense to me and it does make it a challenge to decide where to put any pads under the jacks, but you do get better at estimating where to put them with some experience.

Are all bags failing to inflate, or just the front air bags?
__________________
Jay and Peggy Monroe
"Can't take it with you, not leaving any behind"
2024 Jayco White Hawk 26FK
2024 Ford Expedition
JMonroe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2013, 08:19 PM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 31
Air Bags won't inflate

I think I had the same problem. Anyway my air ride bags would not inflate and my ride was on the frame and beating us to death. I called Forest River Class A service manager and he told to stop on a level place and turn the engine off. Deploy the auto-level system until it is level and stops. Retract the auto levelers and go on my way. It worked perfectly.

I was always warned about leaving the auto levelers down...so in my thinking if you push the all retract button once....why not do it twice while my engine is warming up. It made sense to me apparently that is the wrong thing to do. "one push only!!" I have a Freightliner chassis with a Cummins 425 Hp diesel, in a class A.

I hope this helps...it worked for me. Now if my ride is not as cushy as I think it should be, when I stop for something I turn the engine off deploy the auto levelers and then retract them....but only once.....and my ride is superb!!
pomara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2013, 02:13 PM   #14
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by pomara View Post
I think I had the same problem. Anyway my air ride bags would not inflate and my ride was on the frame and beating us to death. I called Forest River Class A service manager and he told to stop on a level place and turn the engine off. Deploy the auto-level system until it is level and stops. Retract the auto levelers and go on my way. It worked perfectly.

I was always warned about leaving the auto levelers down...so in my thinking if you push the all retract button once....why not do it twice while my engine is warming up. It made sense to me apparently that is the wrong thing to do. "one push only!!" I have a Freightliner chassis with a Cummins 425 Hp diesel, in a class A.

I hope this helps...it worked for me. Now if my ride is not as cushy as I think it should be, when I stop for something I turn the engine off deploy the auto levelers and then retract them....but only once.....and my ride is superb!!
I forgot to add after retracting the levelers with the engine off...start the engine and wait until the onboard air compressor fills the tanks and you hear the automatic blow off. After the tanks are filled...everything for me has worked perfectly. Drive away with a superb ride.
pomara is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Coach not sitting level on air bags / Air bag adjustment GlennLever Fleetwood Owner's Forum 0 09-04-2013 10:46 PM
Air Bag Suspension JDT Excel Owner's Forum 15 08-11-2013 11:14 PM
air bags, storage compartment '97 Southwind rvc123 Fleetwood Owner's Forum 4 07-22-2013 04:08 PM
Air Bags deflating zzjea Spartan Motorhome Chassis Forum 7 07-19-2013 06:57 AM
Air bags not deflating when putting jacks down '03 Phaeton michelb Tiffin Owner's Forum 7 06-28-2013 05:05 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.