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Old 09-11-2022, 01:59 AM   #1
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THOR #27943
Constant levelling jack issues

So I have a 2011 Thor Windsport 32A.

I bought it with levelling jacks that sounded awful, and they worked for about 3 weeks then stopped and the motor was dead.

I bought a replacement motor for the lippert one from Western motorworks in Illinois and installed it which took about 10 mins tops. Motor sounded super smooth and jacks extended great right away. After the first retraction the front left valve started leaking. Replaced that, and the leak stopped.

Tested the system again, and the jacks extended great, then I hit to retract, and they started to come back in but about 40 seconds in, the motor started to whine horribly. I hit the power button to stop the retraction, and walked outside. The motor was so hot you couldn't touch it, and smelled like burning. It was completely cooked and would not start again.

Called Western motor and they sent a replacement saying it's slightly possible I got a lemon. I installed it, and tried it, the motor spins fine and sounds fine, but the jacks do not move at all. Not up nor down.

1) Running the RV, batteries read 13.15V roughly.
2) Doing an auto or manual extend, none of the 4 jacks moved. All valves are at the full clockwise position (closed).
3) Tried also extending and retracting with valve counter-clockwise (open), and doesn't do anything.
4) Tried with the 2 wire connector disconnected and also nothing.

I've read the system is supposed to auto-bleed but it seems to me like there is an issue with air in the lines. The new motor when spinning doesn't heat up at all btw.

Thanks.

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Old 09-11-2022, 11:38 AM   #2
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THOR #9178
You may have a bad pump

Is the motor/pump coupled properly?

Your system have a hydraulic filter?
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Old 09-11-2022, 02:49 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by lwmcguir View Post
You may have a bad pump

Is the motor/pump coupled properly?

Your system have a hydraulic filter?
I took the motor off the pump and decoupled and it’s fine so that’s not the issue.

How do you test if the pump is bad or not?

I don’t think I have a hydraulic filter anywhere.
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Old 09-11-2022, 02:51 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwmcguir View Post
Is the motor/pump coupled properly?
I wondered too... did the coupler get re-installed?
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Old 09-11-2022, 03:20 PM   #5
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I wondered too... did the coupler get re-installed?
Sorry that was an auto correct there is no coupler. The motor just has a flat spade/slot female side that hooks into the pump slot male side. Dry simple setup but it just seems like it can’t get any pressure now.

Is there some way to manually bleed air out of the system?
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Old 09-11-2022, 05:49 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by jonas007 View Post
Sorry that was an auto correct there is no coupler. The motor just has a flat spade/slot female side that hooks into the pump slot male side. Dry simple setup but it just seems like it can’t get any pressure now.

Is there some way to manually bleed air out of the system?
My jack system has this style of motor that requires a coupler as the motor shaft would never reach the pump shaft.



**Sizes are NOT to scale**


To "bleed out" the air, you just run the system, the pump is "built in" the tank so should have fluid.
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Old 09-11-2022, 07:13 PM   #7
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The pump won't bleed unless the hydraulic valves are opening. The fact that you have burned out 2, maybe 3 motors tells me you need to check the solenoid operation. This can easily be done by disconnecting the + 12 VDC lead to the pump and try to operate the system and check the solenoids by sound and voltage applied with a voltmeter. Probably need two people to do this.
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Old 09-11-2022, 09:39 PM   #8
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The pump won't bleed unless the hydraulic valves are opening. The fact that you have burned out 2, maybe 3 motors tells me you need to check the solenoid operation. This can easily be done by disconnecting the + 12 VDC lead to the pump and try to operate the system and check the solenoids by sound and voltage applied with a voltmeter. Probably need two people to do this.
Can you explain in more detail how to do this? I’m not understanding what I’m checking for with the voltmeter and when.
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Old 09-11-2022, 10:17 PM   #9
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Can you explain in more detail how to do this? I’m not understanding what I’m checking for with the voltmeter and when.
Assuming you know how to use a multimeter:

There are 5 solenoid operated valves on most Lippert leveling systems:
4 to allow hydraulic pressure to the top of the hydraulic rams to raise the coach. These are operated in pairs.
One reversing valve to pressurize the bottom of all leveler's rams to retract the rams.
A voltmeter will see if 12 VDC is applied to each of these solenoids when it is supposed to be.
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Old 09-12-2022, 01:59 PM   #10
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I’m betting that the pump impeller went bad. That’s the reason you toasted the second pump. Last year I helped a friend that had the same problem, motor ran, no pressure. It was the pump
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Old 09-13-2022, 12:25 AM   #11
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I think Ace is right and it will take two people

I would also break the fittings to verify flow as well as solenoid operation

If the pump is spinning and not loading up either the suction has air in leakage or the impeller is shot

You coulhave lost prime and breaking the fittings might help

You have a project
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Old 09-13-2022, 09:04 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Trkyte@msn.com View Post
I’m betting that the pump impeller went bad. That’s the reason you toasted the second pump. Last year I helped a friend that had the same problem, motor ran, no pressure. It was the pump
Is it possible to just replace the impeller or do I need the whole unit?
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Old 09-13-2022, 09:07 PM   #13
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Is it possible to just replace the impeller or do I need the whole unit?
Probably the whole unit. But what troubleshooting have you done to confirm the pump is bad? Or are you just loading the parts canon?
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Old 09-13-2022, 11:38 PM   #14
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Probably the whole unit. But what troubleshooting have you done to confirm the pump is bad? Or are you just loading the parts canon?
I’ve reinstalled the motor twice, checked voltages and it’s spinning fine.
I’ve tried manually turning the motor clockwise and jacks don’t come down at all. What else should I check?
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Old 09-13-2022, 11:57 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by jonas007 View Post
I’ve reinstalled the motor twice, checked voltages and it’s spinning fine.
I’ve tried manually turning the motor clockwise and jacks don’t come down at all. What else should I check?
Posts # 7 and #9.
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