Low Air Light and Brake Lockup on 2005 Winnebago Journey 36G

[mwilson9]

I have a 2005 Winnebago Journey 36G with a 300 Cummings. We were about to leave for a camping trip and the "Low Air" light came on. We stopped and set the air brakes. After that, the brakes were locked due to the pressure dropping below 70 lbs. I'm not sure what caused it. The brakes stayed locked up the rest of the day despite me trying to run it down. The next morning i cranked it and the air pumped up fine to 120lbs, but i did hear what appeared to be a relay clicking. I looked under the hood and before i could locate it the clicking stopped. It appeared to be coming from an enclosed box with a clear front, located on the passenger side down low looking from the hood area. Has anyone had any similar issues?

 

[Morich]

No real help on the main question but my eye flew straight to something that "looks odd" from here! Something to look closer if it is a problem with this board? My eyes may lie but I might want to look at this one specific wire as it "looks" like it has a problem!
Is that actually corrosion and indicates a break in the wire or rubbing of some sort?

Not to panic but my eyes tell me that black plastic should not have that funny looking spot??
Otherwise, if you can get it to come back and stay long enough to look/listen, you may want to feel of those four small relays at the top to feel if they are what is clicking. Maybe not much help on locating the real cause but I do like to know if I am hearing and feeling the right spot!
But if that wire is breaking down to short out in some way, maybe getting a bit of tape on it "might" help?
Sometimes that wishful thinking does work!
Best of luck to you! Gremlins are hard to catch!

 

[Journey39n]

Your low air warning has to do with the Air system at the engine. I had a similar issue with my 2003 Horizon.

There is a compressor on the engine, an air governor that controls the flow, and an air dryer that dries the air for the brakes and airbag system. You might want to get them checked out.

 

[RayIN]

If the air dryer/filter has not been replaced in the last 3 years, that is likely the cause of low/erratic air pressure.
This might be helpful: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/carrier-s...orcoach-brake-systems-and-safety-technologies

 

[6148bill]

I have a 2005 Winnebago Journey 36G with a 300 Cummings. We were about to leave for a camping trip and the "Low Air" light came on. We stopped and set the air brakes. After that, the brakes were locked due to the pressure dropping below 70 lbs. I'm not sure what caused it. The brakes stayed locked up the rest of the day despite me trying to run it down. The next morning i cranked it and the air pumped up fine to 120lbs, but i did hear what appeared to be a relay clicking. I looked under the hood and before i could locate it the clicking stopped. It appeared to be coming from an enclosed box with a clear front, located on the passenger side down low looking from the hood area. Has anyone had any similar issues?

View attachment 2438839

That box is the control for your HWH levelers

 

[6148bill]

That box is the control for your HWH levelers

It may also control the dump valves for your air bag suspension as the switch for that is on the HWH panel

 

[HiBanky]

There is a possibility the HWH control box you picture is the problem since it controls the suspension dump valve. You may find the troubleshooting procedure in the attached document helpful. Check out page 16 part 4, or page 17 part 4, depending on whether or not you are equipped with pilot air. If you have a Freightliner chasses you will likely have pilot air.

 

[mwilson9]

Your low air warning has to do with the Air system at the engine. I had a similar issue with my 2003 Horizon.

There is a compressor on the engine, an air governor that controls the flow, and an air dryer that dries the air for the brakes and airbag system. You might want to get them checked out.

Your low air warning has to do with the Air system at the engine. I had a similar issue with my 2003 Horizon.

There is a compressor on the engine, an air governor that controls the flow, and an air dryer that dries the air for the brakes and airbag system. You might want to get them checked out.

Your low air warning has to do with the Air system at the engine. I had a similar issue with my 2003 Horizon.

There is a compressor on the engine, an air governor that controls the flow, and an air dryer that dries the air for the brakes and airbag system. You might want to get them checked out.

Your low air warning has to do with the Air system at the engine. I had a similar issue with my 2003 Horizon.

There is a compressor on the engine, an air governor that controls the flow, and an air dryer that dries the air for the brakes and airbag system. You might want to get them checked out.

I don't know if this is associated with my issue but, listen to the attached video of a noise that was in my engine area when i cranked it a week earlier.

 

[RayIN]

That noise might be the compressor trying to compensate for an air dryer in bad need of repair or replacement.
What have you accomplished so far it checking/repairing the things already suggested or recommended?
IMO, first is the air dryer assembly, if you don't know how it's done there are several videos to consult. If the air dryer hasn't been serviced for many years, it might be cheaper to buy a new one instead of buying parts, disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, then rebuilding yours.

 

[mwilson9]

That noise might be the compressor trying to compensate for an air dryer in bad need of repair or replacement.
What have you accomplished so far it checking/repairing the things already suggested or recommended?
IMO, first is the air dryer assembly, if you don't know how it's done there are several videos to consult. If the air dryer hasn't been serviced for many years, it might be cheaper to buy a new one instead of buying parts, disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, then rebuilding yours.

I'm 77 and my days of getting up in a tight place are limited. I've called the Freightliner shop and he said i could bring it in but if i can't replicate the issue, he would just be swapping out parts and charging me money. I mentioned the things each of you on my thread said that were possible culprits and they said they really need it to go out and do the same lock up for them to be able to find the real problem. I have checked for leaks on the system and right now there aren't any showing. The coach, while being 21 years old, only has 15,000 miles on it. The coach was under a shed for most of its life according the original owner and it was under a metal shed when i purchased it. I can see some weather related cracks in rubber boots and air bags, but the compressor should be ok. Now the air dryer may still be an issue just due to the sitting up for so long. Its hard to fix it "if it ain't broke" theory. I've cranked it multiple days since my issue resolved itself and it is maintaining air with no noticeable leak down. Thank you for your advice.

 

[RayIN]

If the air dryer has not been serviced in the past 3-4 years, there is no diagnosis; it's time_. The dryer filter/desiccant filter slowly becomes clogged with impurities like compressor oil and dirt from the air, plus it eventually wears out from filtering out moisture from compressed air.
BTW, when was the last time you performed an air brake check?

 

[mwilson9]

If the air dryer has not been serviced in the past 3-4 years, there is no diagnosis; it's time_. The dryer filter/desiccant filter slowly becomes clogged with impurities like compressor oil and dirt from the air, plus it eventually wears out from filtering out moisture from compressed air.
BTW, when was the last time you performed an air brake check?

I did a brake check today and it passed. I have ordered the Air Dryer assembly due to it being a 2005 but only 13000 miles, it just seemed to be the first thing to get done. $600 for the Dryer assembly and because i just want to make sure it was done by a certified mechanic, i'm having it installed within the week hopefully. It is in a friendly location to swap it out. Thanks