Community Forums

Drumzilla · 12-07-2012, 08:18 AM

For no reason we can figure out, the "Jacks Down" warning light and beeper have started to stay on after the jacks are fully retracted. As we're driving, the whiny little beeper keeps beeping and the light stays on. We have to pull the fuse to get the light and beeper to turn off, but then have to re-insert it when we need to use the jacks.

Any ideas? This is an annoying little glitch that has just sprung up during out last outing, and we'd like to get it fixed so I don't take a hammer to the dashboard to shut the light and beeper down.

Our coach is a 2001 Holiday Rambler Endeavour.

RickO · 12-07-2012, 08:31 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum. I can't imagine having to be exposed to that alarm noise for very long.

Are you sure all of your jacks were fully retracting? On my coach, even if a jack is only 1/8" from fully retracted, the alarm will stay on. Cleaning the jack rams and giving them a shot of silicone spray usually does the trick.

Rick

Hikerdogs · 12-07-2012, 08:39 AM

I'm not sure what type of jack system you have, but the problem you describe is not uncommon. We have an HWH system that does the same thing from time to time. The cause is most likely a hydraulic line that runs close to a heat source like an exhaust manifold, muffler, radiator, or radiator hose. As the hydraulic hose is heated the fluid inside expands and pushes one of the jacks down far enough to turn on the jacks down alarm.

If yours is an HWH system the recommended procedure is to push the "on" button then the "store" button. This will open the solenoids and allow the jacks to fully retract. Once the jacks have restored themselves let the system power itself down. It should take a couple minutes or so.

If you manually shut the system off the solenoids close and don't allow excess hydraulic fluid to go back to the reservoir. The trapped fluid will expand in the lines when heated and force the jacks down slightly.

The same process should be used when retracting the jacks to leave the campsite. Turn the systen "on" then push the "store" button to raise the jacks. Let the system power itself down before starting the engine. On ours if the engine is started before the system powers itself down the jack controller shuts off. When this happens excess or heated oil in the hydraulic lines cannot return to the reservoir, and 1 or more of the jacks may extend.

Falcon190 · 12-07-2012, 11:37 AM

I have HWH jacks and I always have the engine running when I raise the them (always after the slides are in). There is a light on the HWH control panel that indicates the jacks are still rising, and another on the dash (but no buzzer) that indicates that it's safe to drive. It takes a long time for the jacks to be fully raised, so (after visually checking that all four jacks are up), I drive off once the dash light goes out. The HWH system shuts down in about ten more minutes. BTW, the manual is where I got that idea.

jacmat · 12-07-2012, 11:46 AM

Check the jack's oil level, when low it will beep.

redbaron73 · 12-07-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacmat

Check the jack's oil level, when low it will beep.

X2 - I had that problem. Very annoying. Proper level is determined when jacks are fully retracted, so make sure you do not see any 'shiny' metal.

clyon51 · 12-07-2012, 12:22 PM

The way these systems think the jacks are still down is the level of fluid in the reservoir. When it pumps fluid to the jacks, the fluid drops below the sensor and the jack light comes on. When retracted the reservoir fills up, hits the sensor and light goes off. 99% of the time when jacks are retracted and light stays on, adding fluid to the reservoir takes care of it.

scooterbob · 12-07-2012, 12:24 PM

Your oil level is low

CFXCH · 12-07-2012, 11:46 PM

My Holiday Rambler Scepter did the same thing. It has the Power Gear Hydraulic Leveler rams. Pull up your leveling rams and fill reservoir to near full with ATF. That fixed my alarm from coming on.

elang · 12-08-2012, 05:44 PM

tHAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPEN TO ME AND OIL LEVEL WAS LOW FILL IT UP AND IT STOP.
ELANG

MSL · 12-08-2012, 09:25 PM

We had the same problem on our 2007 Fourwinds. If you look carefully at each leveler (leg) you might notice one or more are slightly down. Manually retract each one. I did this each time after I auto retracted. It worked. Obviously there is an issue, but to get you home or your next destination, it might work.

Heater · 12-08-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacmat

Check the jack's oil level, when low it will beep.

X2 just filled ours up 2 weeks ago in a Walmart parking lot. It was the first place that I stopped after pulling out of the resort. Instant fix to the annoying beeping.

Fred Cooper · 12-08-2012, 10:52 PM

My 2000 Endeavor has power gear jacks. I assume your 2001 has the same system. The comments about low fluid causing your problem are correct. Before you add fluid, you should verify that all 4 jacks are fully retracted. If any are sticking or binding and you fill the reservoir, you'll have too much fluild when that jack or jacks fully retract. The power gear jacks that I have retract with springs (rear external and front internal springs). If a jack will not fully retract, you can help it using a 2 x 4 board as a pry bar.

If adding fluid does not solve the problem, be sure the float switch is adjusted properly. Power gear has good tech tips on their web site.

Fred

Wayne M · 12-09-2012, 08:29 AM

Hi Drumzilla,

As you can see, make and model does not matter in that loud alarm. My 2008 Winni still has the same problem. I had it in the Winni factory and they could not fix it.

SO, I put a toggle switch in-line with the power lead gong to the controller in my particular case. Now when I retract the jacks and the alarm stays on I just toggle the switch and it shuts off the system. Next stop to set up it is a simple toggle again and all is well.

We make part of our inspection on tear-down to visually inspect to ensure the jacks are up.

I have the Kwikee Level Best system.

Happy trails.