Hydraulic leveling jack noise

[V. H.]

We have a 2013 Thor ACE 30.1. Our leveling jacks when extended have periodically begun making a loud noise like a motor starting up (I have no better discriptor), then the noise stops. The fluid is right up and no leaks have been detected. We raised the jacks and lowered them again, but the noise still occurred. Any thought? Thanks

[16ACE27]

Find/read the Lippert TSB about adding anti-stiction fluid to the hydraulic system.

https://support.lci1.com/documents/t...raulic-systems

Google found it for you!

[Judge]

So the motor noise happens when you are not using the jacks and when they are up? If that is the case, I think there are two possibilities.

Either you have a slow hydraulic leak and the pressure is dropping or your pressure sensor is failing.

When the pressure drops due to a leak or the pressure sensor is failing and thinks the pressure is too low when it isn't, there appears not to be enough pressure to keep the jacks retracted. If you have the parking brake off and the engine is running, the system will attempt to run the motor to retract the jacks as a safety measure before you would try to drive away.

I had a case where my pressure sensor failed so when the engine was running and I released the parking brake, the leveler motor fired up even though the jacks were retracted because the sytem thought the pressure was too low. The motor would run until it tripped the 100A breaker and then I would get a Low Voltage Alarm.

Once I replaced the pressure sensor (got one off Amazon), it solved the problem. You may want to look for possible oil spots and signs of a leak. if you don't find anything, it could be the sensor.

[V. H.]

Well gentlemen...egg on our faces! What we assumed was our hydraulic jacks giving us trouble was in fact the generator attempting to start up - which i guess is another concern ... good lord!
Thanks for your quick and thoughtful responses.