HWH 2000 system not working

[Jeff Watt]

I'll start by saying that I recently purchased a 2005 Patriot Thunder (Yorktown) with about 34,000 miles, from the original owner. Consequently, a lot of the systems on this unit are new to me.  Everything was working well, however, I have had a couple of fairly minor problems - all electrical - since, and although I can't prove it, they seem to have started after I had a brake controller installed.

When I brought it home, I noticed the rear passenger side to be down vs. the other side, and that the whole back end to be down a bit (granted I have had it so short a time I am not sure what normal is).  So I measured the bags and the front are at 10" and the left rear are at 10", right rear at 9". So, I thought I may need to get it/them adjusted.

I thought I would do/check a couple of things.  First to activate the air leveling as if I were parking for the night.  No response.  Next I tried the dump function - no response.  Nothing on the touch panel is active.  Called Monaco customer service, and was told to check plug-in connector on back of touch panel as they occasionally come loose - it is attached.  Next I downloaded the service/repair manual for the 2000 system from HWH. While I am NOT going to do anything too technical, I thought I'd read it. One thing was to see if the lights on the control box are lit when ignition is on - they are. Secondly it mentioned there is a light on the backside of the touch panel - if there is one present it isn't lit.

I am going to check to see if there is any power coming to the panel as I think there isn't. The problem is any fuse to replace is buried deep in the control box(es).

Any thoughts as to why this might have happened? I am hesitant about taking it back to the RV shop where I had the brake controller installed, as I have had to many coincidences of electrical problems since being there.  

Thanks.

[Jeff Watt]

Forgot to mention that the dash warning light is not on and neither is the HWH reset light in the electrical bay.

Oddly, the dash warning light does not come on when turning on the ignition. Not sure if it is supposed to as an initial system check.

[Don Hircock]

I seem to have developed a lot of the same problems.  When I pulled in to our spot to park for the next few days I hit the level button and nothing happened.  Check the dump button and the raise button and they both work.  Nothing dealing with leveling will respond.  I do have a small red light that is lit on the back of the panel, other than that my symptoms appear very similar.  I guess my best solution is to go by Moscow on Wed and let HWH deal with it since it is on my planned route.  I have sent them an email and will try calling tomorrow although they admit their response time on phone is slow.  I was just to a CAT rally in Amana, IA and they had a HWH session and that is what they said.

[Jeff Watt]

At least you have a light....

In the repair manual I downloaded, sec 2a. states if the System Active Light does not come then:

"Make sure there is power and ground to the control box in the 12 pin gray connector CN11. There is a link light on the back of the touch panel. This light should be flashing whenever the ignition is on. If the link light is not blinking, replace the control box. If the link light is blinking, replace the touch panel."

I don't feel comfortable checking for power at the control box and as I don't have a light flashing or constant I suspect it is something more. I emailed HWH on Friday afternoon so I wasn't expecting any response until this week. I am going to call in the morning and hopefully figure out what to do next. The unit is sitting down some on the back as the passenger side rear bags are at 8" and drivers side rear are at 9".

Hopefully they will suggest some easy fix, but I doubt it. If not simple, then I hope I can still drive it for repairs.

[Tom and Pam Brown]

Jefery,

If you have the second control panel in the rear of the coach you can unplug it from the control box and plug in the control panel in the coach just to be cure it is not a bad plug.  Mine acted just like yours and the plug was completely of the panel when i removed it.

Hope this helps

[Don Hircock]

There were no appointments available on Wed to fit into my drive plans but have scheduled for 12:30 on Thursday.  Can go in on Wed and plug in there in one of their spaces.  Will let you know what the problem is when I find out.  Our call from this morning wasn't returned but after we did call it was a very short time I received an email from HWH and got everything setup.   Glad I've got internet.

[Jeff Watt]

Called HWH, and they took my name and message.  I also emailed them again, and will try calling again tomorrow.  I realize they are busy, however, I'm in a bit of a predicament and here in S. Manitoba, I don't have a lot of options for repairs.  Although, and I haven't check with them yet,  I live 10 miles from the TRIPLE E headquarters and plant.  I know they install HWH in their units, as I had a 2000 with an HWH hydraulic leveler and slide system.  So, I hope, if they can install the HWH units, then they should be able to help diagnose the problem.  With things a little slow, the Triple E service department is working on other manufacturer units, as I saw an Alegro and a Monaco sitting at the service area a couple of weeks ago.

I am pretty sure there is no power at the touch panel, and there is only one touch panel in my unit.  I checked voltage, and there is maybe 0.02 on one line - that can be just poor connections or static or ?

Also, there are LEDs lit up inside the control box when ignition is on.

I guess we'll wait to see what tomorrow brings.  Fortunately, I am at home and I am not planning on going anywhere for at least a month.

[Mike.Way]

I had a similar problem on my 98 Marquis.  Leveling switches were not active except sporadically.  Most obvious symptom was no lights and no response from the control panel.  Finally kicked in on a badly sloped campsite and cracked the windshield.

Did the usual checks and was sure of power of power in.  Checked also using the rear control box, no joy there either.  After calling the HWH help desk, I unscrewed the box cover and disconnected the board that combined inputs from front and rear panels; trying first the front, then the rear.  No joy.  Called back and after some additional conversation I ordered a new control panel.  Installed it without connection to the rear panel.  Finally JOY, I can level the coach again.

The rear panel is a Beaver add-on.  It was exposed to the engine bay and covered in dirt and soot; read useless.  The jumper board was a hack to allow both panel to control the system.  They said it was subject to early failure.  The true culprit? vibration and age.  The panel was an easy swap and access to the control box was almost painless.

Mike Way
'98 Marquis

[Don Hircock]

My leveling is fixed.  Had an appointment for Thursday and was planning on spending the night today.  Pulled in about 12:30 and was told to pull it into Bay 4 and they would check it out.  The technician immediately started checking it out.  It was found in a short time that the control panel was bad, the button you push to level had given up the ghost.  I also had the problem that the right front would dump air at different times and then half an hour later the pump (after sitting a few days) would start up to level again.  This would happen a number of times in a 24 hour period.  This has been going on for at least a year.  They pulled out the control in the electrical bay.  There were a couple of springs they replaced with ones that are 3 times stronger, replaced a couple of cards and upgraded the program in it.  It seems to be repaired as it has not done that since we arrived.  The cost for parts and programming was 0.  I was charged two hours of labor at $85 per hour and was on the road again to our destination a hour away at 3:45.  I consider myself very lucky that I was near Moscow, IA when this problem developed.  HWH strives to make a person very happy.  Under promise and over deliver.  I wish there were more companies that did that.

[Joel Ashley]

There are a few, Don.  Like Fantastic Vent, who notified me today they are supplying me at no cost with all the instructions, parts, and material needed to repair a stripped lift mechanism on one of my 5 year old fans, plus the instructions to prevent it from happening again, or to my other unit.  If  I'd been at a Rally, they'd have done all the work for free too, as they have for others over the years.

-Joel

[Ken Buck]

I like to hear about good service. Thanks for the follow up. Just one question though, is HWH in Moscow Iowa or Moscow Idaho? I'm not so good on the abbreviations for states and thought I had heard earlier that it was Idaho.

Ken

[Jeff Watt]

I haven't progressed anywhere yet with my problem.  

I have called HWH twice and emailed 3 times but no response as of yet. I do have an appointment at Triple E on Monday so hopefully they can help diagnose and/or repair the problem.

I am going to call HWH again this afternoon and hope they offer some help. One problem is the system won't lift (put air into bags) when starting the unit and over time it has been settling at the rear especially the passenger side.

So best hope is it is a fuse or something simple like that which can be repaired quickly. If I need a new touch panel or control box then likely I am looking at a week for delivery (even with courier) and then who knows for the install. As I said, fortunately I am at home so not needing the unit, but it is troubling if it happened on the road and no response from HWH.

Monaco Tech Support, while cooperative, couldn't/wouldn't give me any answers.

[Don Hircock]

Jeffrey,

Maybe if you called and asked for Fred Gunder.  He is the gentleman that put on the HWH seminar at the CAT rally in Amana a week ago.  He had mentioned that the return call was slow.  That is the only fault I could possible find with their service.

Joel,

You're right about Fantastic Vent.  Back 6+ years ago when I owned a fifth wheel I had a fan go out.  Was at a rally and they couldn't get it fixed but put me in a fan and then sent me one in the mail that was the same as I had with all the automatic stuff.  They are good too.

[Jeff Watt]

Thanks guys. I emailed Beaver Coach Sales and they said to check a couple of fuses in the control box with the caveat to be very careful. So I think I will leave it for a tech.

I had thought about disconnecting all batteries and letting the system discharge for 10-15 minutes but with the solar panel running, I would either have to disconnect its fuse or cover the panel - neither I really wanted to do since I am not sure that disconnecting anything will cure the problem, especially after the advice from BCS.

Will muddle along and I was away all day so I didn't get to call HWH - another weekend is upon us. Hope everyone else has fun.

Jeff

[Jeff Watt]

Any thoughts regarding moving the unit about 10 miles over pretty smooth roads with minimal turns. The bags are all unveven and the system isn't working to pump them up.

For reference:

the front left 11" probably because the rest are down.
Front right 9.5"
Left rear main 9.5"
left tag 9.5"
Right rear main 8"
Right tag 7.5-8"

Thanks,

Jeff