Leveling jack drops underway

[CRPerle]

Hello again:
Thanks for all the help this Spring. BIM still working and I added a shunt. Now, after 4 months and 6000 miles, the LCI leveling system is acting up.
Seems the right rear loses pressure, drops about an inch right away, and the controller system really doesn't like that!
I drove about an hour just silencing the alarm.
So, now, am I stuck? Lippert says it's dangerous to drive the rig, but it there some way to disable the system or tie up the jack?
They sent me some tests I can do, but I don't see this as a repair I can do while on the road by myself...

Any thoughts. It's Friday, now way I'm getting in for service and plan to roll again Sunday to a place with more service options.

2017 Thor Hurricane 34J

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

Hello again:
Thanks for all the help this Spring. BIM still working and I added a shunt. Now, after 4 months and 6000 miles, the LCI leveling system is acting up.
Seems the right rear loses pressure, drops about an inch right away, and the controller system really doesn't like that!
I drove about an hour just silencing the alarm.
So, now, am I stuck? Lippert says it's dangerous to drive the rig, but it there some way to disable the system or tie up the jack?
They sent me some tests I can do, but I don't see this as a repair I can do while on the road by myself...

Any thoughts. It's Friday, now way I'm getting in for service and plan to roll again Sunday to a place with more service options.

2017 Thor Hurricane 34J

The alarm is for an unsafe condition, alerting you you have lost all the return (jack's up) pressure and ALL jacks can vibrate down at any time. The repair instructions and trouble shooting is online at Lippert Components Inc.


https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...0001573-08.pdf

[CRPerle]

All jacks? That's the first I've heard that. Thanks. The Lippert tech did not suggest that. Hmmm....

[MJC62]

Take a look at the hose connections on the offending jack and at the pump. We had a jack that was drifting down. The fitting at the jack had a slight visible leak that a 1/4 on the nut resolved.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by MJC62

Take a look at the hose connections on the offending jack and at the pump. We had a jack that was drifting down. The fitting at the jack had a slight visible leak that a 1/4 on the nut resolved.

That's what I was hoping for but no such luck!

[pneumatics]

Did you see any leaks of the ATF (Red)? Did you check the fluid level in the tank? It should be near the top when the jacks are UP. When the Jacks are down fluid should be 2/3 to 1/2 of the tank depending on amount of jack extension. If the fluid is too low when the valve reverses to pump fluid back to the retract side of the cylinder you can get air in the hydraulic lines this can cause a lack of pressure on the pressure switch that indicates if sufficient pressure exists to hold the jack pistons retracted. While the alarm is indicating jacks down it could just be not quite enough pressure to flip the switch. The fix is to get the tank back to proper fluid level and then cycle the jacks extend, retract, extend, retract until the jacks down light does not light this will move the air bubble out of the hydraulic circuit.
I have heard of people using cords and rope to tie up jack pads going down the road.
Good luck.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

Hello again:
Thanks for all the help this Spring. BIM still working and I added a shunt. Now, after 4 months and 6000 miles, the LCI leveling system is acting up.
Seems the right rear loses pressure, drops about an inch right away, and the controller system really doesn't like that!
I drove about an hour just silencing the alarm.
So, now, am I stuck? Lippert says it's dangerous to drive the rig, but it there some way to disable the system or tie up the jack?
They sent me some tests I can do, but I don't see this as a repair I can do while on the road by myself...

Any thoughts. It's Friday, now way I'm getting in for service and plan to roll again Sunday to a place with more service options.

2017 Thor Hurricane 34J

How long does it take to activate the alarm once you have retracted all the jacks?

It is just a pressure alarm and it senses the static pressure on the "bottom" of all jack cylinders. The one jack drifting town in just an indication that that jack MAY be the culprit; especially if it is a leak past the piston seals, and you don't have any visible leaks.

But when the alarm goes off the system should go into emergency retract mode if traveling and retract all jacks again.

[Chateau_Nomad]

LCI may be different, but a few months after getting our Big Foot hydraulic levelers installed, one foot would drift down ever so slightly, but just enough to set off the jacks down alarm.

I was instructed by Big Foot to COMPLETELY extend all four jacks (which lifted the motorhome wheels off the ground) then wait at least an hour. Then retract and resume normal use. This bled any extranious air from the system.

No problems in over two years now.

[CRPerle]

Thanks.
When we started in June, there was not enough fluid. Everything still worked okay, then one jack would lose a little height overnight. So I called Lippert and ended up adding not quite a quart. Topped it off a bit more after this recent episode. Yesterday I exercised it plenty. No leaks. I checked all 4 jacks multiple times.
Will do again today. Sunday I'll strap it up and we'll head to an Air BnB, we have an appointment for service on Tuesday.
Manual also advises to disconnect the pump.
So one answer is that yes, you can drive with it.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

LCI may be different, but a few months after getting our Big Foot hydraulic levelers installed, one foot would drift down ever so slightly, but just enough to set off the jacks down alarm.

I was instructed by Big Foot to COMPLETELY extend all four jacks (which lifted the motorhome wheels off the ground) then wait at least an hour. Then retract and resume normal use. This bled any extranious air from the system.

No problems in over two years now.

Very interesting!

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

Thanks.
When we started in June, there was not enough fluid. Everything still worked okay, then one jack would lose a little height overnight. So I called Lippert and ended up adding not quite a quart. Topped it off a bit more after this recent episode. Yesterday I exercised it plenty. No leaks. I checked all 4 jacks multiple times.
Will do again today. Sunday I'll strap it up and we'll head to an Air BnB, we have an appointment for service on Tuesday.
Manual also advises to disconnect the pump.
So one answer is that yes, you can drive with it.

If you had to top it off you have a leak. That leaks just may not be at the jack you are looking at.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

If you had to top it off you have a leak. That leaks just may not be at the jack you are looking at.

No, sorry, that was confusing. I had just left a little room when I first filled it up. So I thought maybe that would do the trick. I've checked all jacks for leaks and the pump itself. Sometimes fliud burbles out of the fill cap. Which I think is by design. Calling Lippert Monday morning about that. Trying the one hour all jacks maxed test now.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

No, sorry, that was confusing. I had just left a little room when I first filled it up. So I thought maybe that would do the trick. I've checked all jacks for leaks and the pump itself. Sometimes fliud burbles out of the fill cap. Which I think is by design. Calling Lippert Monday morning about that. Trying the one hour all jacks maxed test now.

Fluid should NEVER bubble out of the fill cap. You only check fluid level with all jacks retracted fully. Otherwise you will overfill the reservoir and it will overflow when all jacks are retracted.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Fluid should NEVER bubble out of the fill cap. You only check fluid level with all jacks retracted fully. Otherwise you will overfill the reservoir and it will overflow when all jacks are retracted.

Well, I do only fill it when the jacks are up. It says to within 1/4 " of the cap lip...I think maybe if you gonover that. The cap is designed to release it when under pressure...

Jacks stayed up after last test. Big day tomorrow.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

Very interesting!

This seems to have worked! Fingers crossed. Gonna have a shop check it over this week. Thanks!

[Kstan]

I had the same problem months ago while traveling through New Mexico on my 2018 29M Hurricane. I solved the problem temporarily by strapping the RR jack in the up position. I took it to a repair shop when I got home and they identified the right rear solenoid as being bad. Lippert does not sell just the solenoid so I had to replace the entire hydraulic manifold assembly which controls all 4 jacks. I hope this answer helps you.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by CRPerle

This seems to have worked! Fingers crossed. Gonna have a shop check it over this week. Thanks!

Great! The info posted above by pneumatics is spot on for a diagnostic plan. Get the system checked by a qualified shop, then PLEASE post your findings here, which will benefit the entire community!

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Great! The info posted above by pneumatics is spot on for a diagnostic plan. Get the system checked by a qualified shop, then PLEASE post your findings here, which will benefit the entire community!

Had a shop check everything over, no leaks, no loose wiring. System has "woken up" once since in 3 legs, about 350 miles worth, just to say jacks up. Levels fine, then left front loses a quarter inch of height the first night, which I add back. Then it's fine.
That's the current situation. Fluid level was probably too full, or I over tightened the cap when adding it. Or both. Lippert wasn't surprised. So, we're rolling on in a few days, as is.

[10scDust]

We had a similar problem a good while back. From my notes and memory:
Each jack cylinder has its own hydraulic directional valve, in the field known as a logic valve. Spare all the details on it, the spool inside the one for our particular jacking cylinder problem was sticking.
Lippert system on our 2016 Outlaw.
I replaced the valve and corrected the problem.
#DSV2-080-4C0
I bought it through an industrial supply store, such as Grainger.

Remove the plug from the solenoid on the end of the valve, with the system off.
With a deep-well socket, I think is 7/8", remove the valve, (there will be some mess, not a lot). They are about 3-4 inches long and fit within the socket, (providing the socket is hollow & not like a spark plug socket).
You can see through the ports the spool inside, which will shuttle one way or the other, it should move smooth. Shake it, use a small probe to push it, whatever. If it hesitates at all feeling like it is catching on something, even ever so slightly.
Replace with a new one. They were about $35.00 each.

edit: The number of the valve will be printed on the outside of the body.
Google search to cross reference mfr part # if need be.
A screwdriver to remove the electric connection to the solenoid.
Be aware of the small o-rings on the valve where the threaded part is. If any are damaged, leak by could be the problem there.
Clean the outside area well of any dirt or grime before beginning. Even a small amount of contamination could cause lots more headaches (hydraulic problems).

There should be no pressure present with system off and all jacks retracted. Just residual pressure from gravity on the jack's ram. Do not remove valve if RV is lifted with the system, take the weight away to control gravity.
If there is a small tank, of some sort, think in shapes of a pressure vessel similar in looks, but smaller than a propane bottle, or maybe burnz-o-matic size. This would be an accumulator storing pressure and should be relieved first. They are very obvious on the system and nearby. I have not seen one on an RV, but I am not that well versed on all the systems that could be used.

[CRPerle]

Originally Posted by Kstan

I had the same problem months ago while traveling through New Mexico on my 2018 29M Hurricane. I solved the problem temporarily by strapping the RR jack in the up position. I took it to a repair shop when I got home and they identified the right rear solenoid as being bad. Lippert does not sell just the solenoid so I had to replace the entire hydraulic manifold assembly which controls all 4 jacks. I hope this answer helps you.

did it work otherwise? would it level and stay level?