Dump Valve not working

[JimmyO23]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2007 Winnebago Itasca Ellipse. I recently sent my touch panel and control box to HWH. They replaced pretty much everything (to the tune of over $1,000). I was fine with that if all my problems were solved….but they aren’t.

When I got everything back, I installed it and tested it and everything seemed to work fine. When we went on a trip, the coach wouldn’t dump air either manually or when auto level was pushed.

I called HWH and as you know, as long as you are getting a reading to the connector, it’s not their issue anymore…..rightfully so.

The problem for me is finding the dump valve. The connector that is under the driver’s area goes from 3 wires into 6. Then is divided into 2 thicker wires. (See pic).

When I try and follow those wires, they appear to run to a Norgren solenoid valve. (See pic)The issue is there are NO air lines on it! It is like someone used something else but never removed it 🤔😐

Can anyone help me with what or where I should be looking?

Btw, I have tried the fast idle button dump and level….it didn’t work. 😢

[Skip426]

Is your coach on a Freightliner chassis ?

My 99 air system diagrams show the Norgren valve as an option .

So either Winnebago or a previous owner has bypassed that valve in favor of a different valve (or set of valves ).

My coach has three ride height valves ( two front, one rear ) and three dump valves , one close to each ride height valve and close to the suspension air bags.
Picture below .
Use caution when under the chassis looking for the dump valves ; particularly the rear.
This picture ; inside the drivers front wheel , dump solenoid is on the bracket off the frame at the top , ride height valve below on frame and linkage the red oval .

My vintage XC chassis has a solid front axle if your chassis has IFS things will be different.

EDIT: What series is your HWH system ? 625?

[JimmyO23]

Yes it is a Freightliner and a 625 series.

Thanks for the pics. I will climb underneath and have a look tomorrow.

The thing that is baffling me is the wiring goes to the Norgren (at least appears to). And as you can see, there are no air lines to adjust it.

[JimmyO23]

Well I climbed underneath an Ellipse parked close to mine to see how theirs was wired. And my suspicions were confirmed……mine is somehow rigged up to work……or at least it was.

I called Freightliner and received the schematics for the air lines. I will try and see where everything is going tomorrow.

On the bright side I get to add, “experience with air ride systems” to my ever growing list of experiences.

[JimmyO23]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Is your coach on a Freightliner chassis ?

My 99 air system diagrams show the Norgren valve as an option .

So either Winnebago or a previous owner has bypassed that valve in favor of a different valve (or set of valves ).

My coach has three ride height valves ( two front, one rear ) and three dump valves , one close to each ride height valve and close to the suspension air bags.
Picture below .
Use caution when under the chassis looking for the dump valves ; particularly the rear.
This picture ; inside the drivers front wheel , dump solenoid is on the bracket off the frame at the top , ride height valve below on frame and linkage the red oval .

My vintage XC chassis has a solid front axle if your chassis has IFS things will be different.

EDIT: What series is your HWH system ? 625?

What type of other valve could be used? And the head scratcher is that it used to work. But if I follow the wires from the HWH box, they lead to the valve with no air hoses. So I can’t figure out how it was even possible.

I have been going over the schematics so I’m prepared tomorrow. I’m also going to put my slides out so there is more room underneath.

I really appreciate you taking the time to send me pics.

[Skip426]

Jimmy ; were your air line diagrams in the form of a pdf ?

If so can you post it in this thread so I can download and look them over.

On the second page of this pdf of my air system ( in the green highlight ) is the description of the optional valve.
Note that Freightliner over the years had many different layouts for ride height valves ; some years have one valve in the front and two in the rear ; but if Winnebago installed different dump valves they should be close to the ride height valves.
The system used to work before the HWH control bord was overhauled ; any chance there is a currently unused connector close to the HWH box and the connection that you feel goes to the Norgren valve was disconnected before you removed the HWH board.
Are you aware of the Winnebago wiring site ? Could be some useful info there,

http://www.winnebago.com/Files/Files...ram/Wiring.htm

EDIT: pdf was too large to post so I had to post just page 2, and when if separated the page the highlight cam out as blue , not green.
Let me know if your pdf is too large to post and we'll work something out.

[JimmyO23]

The system used to work before the HWH control bord was overhauled ; any chance there is a currently unused connector close to the HWH box and the connection that you feel goes to the Norgren valve was disconnected before you removed the HWH board.
Are you aware of the Winnebago wiring site ? Could be some useful info there,

I actually went over Winnebago’s site before calling Freightliner. I didn’t see anything that would help.

Yes the system had worked for years before sending the box and panel to HWH. It even worked when I reinstalled it upon its return. I just didn’t use it for months after that. I reinstalled all the wiring that I disconnected prior to sending it in.

There are a couple of items that I am unsure of what they are under the coach. I will take a picture of them tomorrow and see if you can tell me.

[JimmyO23]

EDIT: pdf was too large to post so I had to post just page 2, and when if separated the page the highlight cam out as blue , not green.
Let me know if your pdf is too large to post and we'll work something out.[/QUOTE]

You’ll see my pdf shows the two options to dump as well. This is the frustrating part for me. The Norgren has obviously been bypassed but not removed. When I follow the 2 thicker wires as best I can from the control box, they appear to connect to the Norgren. So what was allowing my system to dump the air when there aren’t any air lines attached?!!!

[JimmyO23]

So I cannot see the ride height controls like you can. As you can see from the schematics, there should be 3. . The air lines run up above a platform just above the rear axle. I think I can get to them if I remove the engine access panel…..which involves taking the bedroom apart.

The Air suspension manifold runs straight to the height control valve. So it makes zero sense that the system used to dump air for me.

I think I might try rerouting the air lines the way they are supposed to be. I might need to buy a new solenoid (I’m guessing that’s why it was bypassed). What are your thoughts on that?

[JimmyO23]

Your air lines run the same way mine are supposed to. Does it use the Norgren or a different valve?

I’ll attach the specific portion of the schematic I’m referring to.

[Skip426]

From 15 years of being over/under/around and through my coach systems ; I'm sure that it was never equipped with the Norgren valve .

Now my older chassis is equipped with a HWH 310 series leveler set up , and my control panel has a dump button ; so it's not automatic .

Again , it's my understanding that Newmar installed the dump valves and their wiring during the leveling jack installation ; not Freightliner.

I don't believe a new Norgren valve wouldn't fix your issue , considering the system dumped air from the suspension , before the HWH board repair .

Now a question .
Is your air suspension system supply the same as mine , and include a PPV ( Pressure Protection Valve ) between the front tank and the suspension ?
You should be tracking the air line from the front tank to look for a valve added ; OR ; try to find where the two lines , apparently removed from the Norgren valve are now connected .

Now ; Paul Maddox ; iRV2 user name AZPete , works for HWH and helps iRV2 members with issues when he can so I'll give you his e mail address and you can message him for his input on your situation .

pfmaddox@att.net

Paul is very active here in the forums ; but he probably missed your thread because I'm sure he looks for threads with HWH in the heading.

[JimmyO23]

Originally Posted by Skip426

From 15 years of being over/under/around and through my coach systems ; I'm sure that it was never equipped with the Norgren valve .

Now my older chassis is equipped with a HWH 310 series leveler set up , and my control panel has a dump button ; so it's not automatic .

Again , it's my understanding that Newmar installed the dump valves and their wiring during the leveling jack installation ; not Freightliner.

I don't believe a new Norgren valve wouldn't fix your issue , considering the system dumped air from the suspension , before the HWH board repair .

Now a question .
Is your air suspension system supply the same as mine , and include a PPV ( Pressure Protection Valve ) between the front tank and the suspension ?
You should be tracking the air line from the front tank to look for a valve added ; OR ; try to find where the two lines , apparently removed from the Norgren valve are now connected .

Now ; Paul Maddox ; iRV2 user name AZPete , works for HWH and helps iRV2 members with issues when he can so I'll give you his e mail address and you can message him for his input on your situation .

pfmaddox@att.net

Paul is very active here in the forums ; but he probably missed your thread because I'm sure he looks for threads with HWH in the heading.

I am certain it has a pressure protection valve as I do hear air being released at the back when necessary.

I have read a lot of replies from Paul. He might have the same reply as the tech I was speaking with…..you have a reading, it’s no longer us. but in his defense, he doesn’t know what is installed beyond that.

[Skip426]

An air release at the rear with the motor running is most likely the , air dryer purge valve cycling.

Mine is drivers side , inside the frame rail behind the differential .

[Skip426]

PPV; is to save pressure for the front brakes in the event of an air suspension bag rupture .

The valve stops delivery of air to the suspension if the supply tank pressure drops below 70 psi.
It's also the reason why the suspension won't rise until tank pressure builds to 70 psi on start up when the air tanks are drained and the suspension is down .