HWH 325 Jacks Stuck in Travel Mode on 2005 Journey 36G

[HiBanky]

I have an HWH 325 Series with a problem. It started with the left rear jack not extending. After some AI advice, I swapped some connectors on the solenoids and got it to extend and retract. In the process of trying to reconnect, I may have mixed them up but did eventually get them all connected correctly. Now none of the Jacks will extend, and the left rear will not retract or extend. None of the LEDs indicate and blown fuse, but there is no 12v at any of the solenoid connectors. It seems to be stuck in "Travel Mode." I tried to reset the system according to some instruction I found on the internet but with no success. As a last resort, I tried turning the T handle and even opening the port on top of the manifold. Still nothing moves.

Are there any experts out there that can offer some advise?

 

[creativepart]

What did HWH say when you called them for tech support?

You have called them haven’t you? That should probably be your first resort.

 

[HiBanky]

I just did. They are calling me back tomorrow.

 

[HiBanky]

I just did. They are calling me back tomorrow.

I got a call this morning and the tech ,Frank. He guided me through some more troubleshooting points. The most likely cause for no motion is blown fuses in the control box which were indicated by unlit LEDs. I will remove the cover and the test fuses today. The likely reason for blowing fuses is a bad "valve/solenoid" ( all in one) and by swapping wires I blew more fuses. More testing will likely confirm all this.

As for the for the right rear jack not retracking when turning the T handle, I just didn't turn it far enough. The manual warned against turning it more than 4 1/2 turns. This is not true. It took 5 1/5 turns to get the jack to retrack. When it is turned far enough you can hear and feel the fluid moving though the manifold.

I will post the final results in the days to come.

 

[Winn2021]

my experience was: 1 bad jack. and 4 blown solenoids.... 1 jack and springs plus a 4 solenoids. Lessons learned: monitor all the jacks with every up and down plus don't run the motor on the hydraulics for too long... She is a tempestuous mistress.....

 

[HiBanky]

A quick update on the stuck jack situation. I replaced the four fuses that protect the four solenoids and got all 4 jacks working. However, after a few cycles the left rear jack blew the fuse again. I removed the solenoid and did a partial disassembly. By moving the needle back and forth I was able to free it up. Then I reassembled the solenoid, screwed it back into manifold and tested the system again. So far everything is working fine but I really don't trust that it won't blow the fuse again. I'll be talking with HWH again on Monday to discuss rebuilding the solenoid or replacing it.

 

[Winn2021]

Review the HWH service bulletin: ML44725/MI95.30. They sent me this when I installed the my new Jack. Would have been nice to know this before I blew out every blessed solenoid. Note page 2 for retraction times. The fuse may be plowing to protect the solenoid due to a bad jack. Let's see what the pros say.

 

[RayIN]

A quick update on the stuck jack situation. I replaced the four fuses that protect the four solenoids and got all 4 jacks working. However, after a few cycles the left rear jack blew the fuse again. I removed the solenoid and did a partial disassembly. By moving the needle back and forth I was able to free it up. Then I reassembled the solenoid, screwed it back into manifold and tested the system again. So far everything is working fine but I really don't trust that it won't blow the fuse again. I'll be talking with HWH again on Monday to discuss rebuilding the solenoid or replacing it.

FWIW, new solenoids are $500 ea. now. Having a solenoid rebuilt (or DIY)should be much less money. HWH uses only 2 different solenoids, a small dia. and a large 2" dia. Both function the same way but are not interchangeable.
If it helps, here is the complete HWH library.

 

[Winn2021]

5 years ago I paid 250$ each for 4 (ouch). The HWH info is extensive and difficult to navigate. Good Luck!

 

[HiBanky]

After my last conversation with Frank at HWH, I am convinced the solenoid has a short. It is now in the mail back to HWW to be rebuilt if they can. I have been searching for a used one from salvage yards but with limited success. Can anyone direct me to a yard that can correctly identify and sell one of these parts?

 

[Winn2021]

I've seen them on ebay from time to time, but age and suspect functionality are risks. Some times it's best to bite the bullet on the new one.

 

[Morich]

I have a place in mind and they used to really be good. Not used them in years but maybe give it a try?
But one of the main hangups in getting used items for jacks is knowing what you have to match the part correctly.
Brand? Likely HWH but then we have to know the correct series for them to be able to find they have the correct item to salvage from?

Colaw RV | Used RV Parts & RV Salvage | North America's

Colaw RV Parts specializes in New And Used RV Parts & Accessories. Operating The Largest RV Salvage In The

colawrvsalvage.com

See post 8 above for info on sorting out what you have! It may be as simple as matching what your control head looks like to the pictures given in the HWH link???

 

[HiBanky]

This will be my final entry on this subject. HWH successfully repaired the solenoid, but it wasn't what any of us thought. In the end all it needed was new O rings and an assessment to position of the control valve. The O rings were damaged and the jam nut on the valve had come loose. Had I not been convinced the solenoid had a short, I could have fixed this for a couple of bucks. Live and learn. In the end it cost less the $100 and most of that was shipping. Jacks are now operating as they should.

 

[Winn2021]

O rings and age. The demise of all hydraulics. Excellent story!