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Lazy Levelling Jack

Yahoo Message Number: 30155
During the last several months on intermittent occasions, the left rear levelling jack does not retract to the fully closed position, but stops approx 2-3" shy of closed position. On automatic retraction the left hand warning light keeps flashing and manual control does not overide the automatic program to close the jack either.
This semi-open position does not affect engine starting and running, but am concerned that some day it will not retract far enough Frustrating thing is that it will sometimes close immediately, sometimes not. Have tried repeated cycling lowering and raising with intermittent results.

Makes no difference if engine is running or not, still intermittent On two/three occasions the jack retracted after running several miles.
Fluid level in master cylinder is full already and cannot be topped up. Does not appear to be losing fluids.
Have tried lubricating the shaft, but not seen any improvements.
Any ideas please?

Tony & P D

06 Inspire Sienna 360 51554
06 Cherokee Overland

Re: Lazy Levelling Jack

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 30170

Nobody else has offered an opinion so here goes. This assumes you have the same Power Gear leveling system we do in our '05 Inspire. We had some trouble with our jacks where the power solenoid stuck (screams like a banshee until you smack it with something). It has never done that again but in trying to shut the darn thing off before it burned something up I had moved a connector on the upper portion of the fluid reservoir. This is the sensor that tells the system that the jacks are retracted and it does this by sensing when the fluid reaches the top of the reservoir - tells the system the reservoir is now full so shut off. I had accidently moved ours so that it was saying the jacks were not retracted causing the panel lights to flash and beepers to go non-stop. Sounds like you might have the opposite problem.
There is a label near this sensor which is a two wire connector (I believe ours are red wires) going into the side of the reservoir near the top. Ours is just below the fill plug. Make sure it is in the proper position as shown on the label or it could be giving an incorrect signal about being full (all pistons/jacks retracted). You could also check the fuild level after it shuts off; while not likely unless you added some fluid, there might be too much in the system which might cause the same problem.

Good luck.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL

Re: Lazy Levelling Jack

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 30186
Hi Bob,

Thanks for the feedback. Never heard any noise from the solenoid.
Have not touched the sensor wires either. Same wiring hookups as from new.

I did check the oil reservoir level immediately this problem started some 12 months after purchasing the coach. Oil level was up to the base of the filler hole (last thread) and could not add anymore oil as filler is on a 30degr angle. So impossible to "top- off.

Will check again this week to see if any oil lost. Not seen any leaks around master cylinder or Lazy Jack, was ok last weekend. Also will check sensor connection wires to see if disturbed or loose.
Power supply - I did read somewhere that jacks may not retract correcly if 12 volt power supply (batteries) are low. But coach is always hooked up to house power, batteries are good. I also run the engine to warm up while retracting the jacks after camping. I tried revving engine a little to boost power output while retracking jacks, but retraction still intermittent. Sometimes retracts immediately to closed position as the other three. Sometimes stops 2- 3" from closd position. Dash warning light keeps flashing as open, but allows engine to start and run coach.
Coming up to 10K service and end of warantee, so will have it checked out. Meanwhile will keep checking.
Thanks for suggestions,
Tony & P D

06 Inspire Sienna 360 51554
06 Cherokee Overland.

Quote from: Robert Handren\[br\
] >

Nobody else has offered an opinion so here goes. This assumes you
have the same Power Gear leveling system we do in our '05 Inspire.
We had some trouble with our jacks where the power solenoid stuck (screams like a banshee until you smack it with something). It has never done that again but in trying to shut the darn thing off before it burned something up I had moved a connector on the upper portion of the fluid reservoir. This is the sensor that tells the system that the jacks are retracted and it does this by sensing when the fluid reaches the top of the reservoir - tells the system the reservoir is now full so shut off. I had accidently moved ours so that it was saying the jacks were not retracted causing the panel lights to flash and beepers to go non-stop. Sounds like you might have the opposite problem.

Quote
>

There is a label near this sensor which is a two wire connector (I
believe ours are red wires) going into the side of the reservoir near the top. Ours is just below the fill plug. Make sure it is in the proper position as shown on the label or it could be giving an incorrect signal about being full (all pistons/jacks retracted). You could also check the fuild level after it shuts off; while not likely unless you added some fluid, there might be too much in the system which might cause the same problem.

Quote
Good luck.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL
 

Re: Lazy Levelling Jack - Update

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 30360
Hi Bob,

Finally had time to check levelling jack master cylinder following your input below and found the Float Switch was not vertical in 12 oclock-6oclock position as shown on label diagram, but approx. 8 degrees off to the right. Repositioned switch adjustment block to vertical 12-6 position, fluid level is still ok. also re-sprayed silicon lube on jack shafts and recycled leveling system 4 times and all jacks retracted 100%.

No idea how Float switch was out of position, as adjustment block is tight (had to turn with small 1/4" wrench)and coach has only 9,000 miles as new condition and well serviced. Will keep check on switch position and fluid level.
Thanks again for your feedback.
Happy Trails,
Tony & PD

06 Inspire Siena 360 61445
06 Cherokee Overland

Quote from: Robert Handren\[br\
] >

Nobody else has offered an opinion so here goes. This assumes you
have the same Power Gear leveling system we do in our '05 Inspire.
We had some trouble with our jacks where the power solenoid stuck (screams like a banshee until you smack it with something). It has never done that again but in trying to shut the darn thing off before it burned something up I had moved a connector on the upper portion of the fluid reservoir. This is the sensor that tells the system that the jacks are retracted and it does this by sensing when the fluid reaches the top of the reservoir - tells the system the reservoir is now full so shut off. I had accidently moved ours so that it was saying the jacks were not retracted causing the panel lights to flash and beepers to go non-stop. Sounds like you might have the opposite problem.

Quote
>

There is a label near this sensor which is a two wire connector (I
believe ours are red wires) going into the side of the reservoir near the top. Ours is just below the fill plug. Make sure it is in the proper position as shown on the label or it could be giving an incorrect signal about being full (all pistons/jacks retracted). You could also check the fuild level after it shuts off; while not likely unless you added some fluid, there might be too much in the system which might cause the same problem.

Quote
Good luck.

Bob Handren

'05 Country Coach Inspire 51178
'00 JGCL