No Suspention Dump

Bill Pape · #1 06-01-2008

I am trying to help fellow Birder, Bob Janes with his 87 FC.

The Suspension will not dump. This 87 FC has a Dash suspension dump switch and a second remote dump switch on the outside of the Bird, located behind a locked door where the HWH leveler controls are located.
We are looking for a location of a solenoid that probably energizes the dump valves. Or a faulty fuse or relay.
Does anyone know where these items are located or does anyone have another solution.

Randy Dupree · #2 06-01-2008

wow!
his coach has an outside dump switch? and an outside leveler control?
i learned something today!
i have never heard of that before.
Randy

Old Hardware · #3 06-01-2008

Thanks Bill, you are a book of knowledge to me on the FC35 and I deeply appreciate your help. Following is a rather wordy diagnosis of the problem.

Yes Randy!, it has a plate with standard HWH controls, along with front to rear and side to side leveling bubbles. It also has a knock-out for a tag axle control, a master dump switch, a dump switch, and one of your dump control vaves for grey water. Maybe a custom for a fellow with short arms, ha-ha!

I call this a Constipated FC-35...No Susp.Dump! ha-ha!

My good friend and neighbor of 42 years came by then after sitting in the cockpit of my FC-35 told me my suspension would not dump. Having a suspension dump may be like a passionate kiss or great sex in that you really do not have an idea what they are like until you have experienced them.

I can see how I might like to have the suspension dump lowering the coach closer to the ground so the first step to and from the ground is not so huge.

On my '87 I have two dump rocker switches, one on the right upper quadrant of the dash, and one on the HWH suspension control panel just forward of the right side rear dual in a small compartment just for the purpose of leveling the coach. Neither of these switches do anything.

I have an idea that 12 Volts D.C. is available on one side of the dump rocker switch then when the switch is moved to dump 12 Volts is applied to a normally closed solenoid that both closes the supply air to the air spring, and, ports the pressurized air spring to atmosphere causing the coach to settle to its lowest position.

After looking at the air plumbing diagram I see that there are 3 such solenoids, one in the front and two in the rear. These are positioned between the height control valves and the air suspension springs. John Finn has provided a picture of this solenoid listed under "Tires, Brakes and suspension", with a brand name of "Haldex". These can either be N.O. or N.C. designated by the colors green or black.

I do not see three solenoids failing at once so I believe the problem to be electrical.

On the electrical diagram I have found that the source of voltage for the dump switches in listed in the "Lower forward control panel". I believe that this is located behind a carpeted cover about calf high on the left leg against the outside wall. I have removed this cover to see the "pink" wire that is shown on the electrical diagram for this dump suspension circuit. With both the steering wheel and driver's seat taking most of the room I don't know that I can get a voltage measurement of the pink wire unless the front seat is removed. I do see a terminal strip but from such a distance cannot ascertain the number of the wire on that terminal strip. I can see that it does connect to a thermal type circuit breaker supposedly rated at 8 Amps according to the wiring diagram but finding one of these bad is a rare occasion.

I have the notion that my problem is a loose wire either on the supply side or the ground side or these solenoids.

Has anyone had problems with their suspension dump such as I have described and can give me some direction before I remove the front seat? I have had it out before and it is a bear to move about.
Thanks,

curtsprenger · #4 06-01-2008

Contact HWH. Since there is no signature I'm not aware of your location. I stopped in at HWH in Moscow Iowa three3 years ago...learned a whole lot about the systems in a couple hours. And no charge for their knowledge and educating me. Best spent diesel fuel so far.

Randy Dupree · #5 06-02-2008

heres something for you.
my 93 will not dump the bags unless the coach is aired up.
meaning,if my coach is sitting for a little while and the coach air has leaked out,but the bags are still up,i cannot dump the bags until i air the coach up,by running the engine,then it all works as it should.
I think the solenoid has to have air on both airlines for mine to work.

if you want to start check voltage,i would start at the switch.
Randy

iamflagman · #6 06-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by curtsprenger

Contact HWH. Since there is no signature I'm not aware of your location.

Curt,

The signatures on the forums posts only show up when you are reading the forum Online, but they will not show up if you are reading the forum by email and there is no fix for this, sorry.

Bill Pape · #7 06-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

wow!
his coach has an outside dump switch? and an outside leveler control?
i learned something today!
i have never heard of that before.
Randy

Yep, Randy,
I now know of two 87 FC's with the outside levelers and dump switch. I think BB tried this on a few Birds or they were special request orders.

I think this is a great idea. For us no hook-up, boon-dockers, it would be great to put wood under the jacks and level from the outside of the coach. Many times the ground is not level or soft, or asphalt.

This is Yet, another advantage of the Economy Wanderlodge FC Model.
The Fuel miser of all motorhomes .

Old Hardware · #8 06-02-2008

Quote:

my 93 will not dump the bags unless the coach is aired up.
meaning,if my coach is sitting for a little while and the coach air has leaked out,but the bags are still up,i cannot dump the bags until i air the coach up,by running the engine,then it all works as it should.
I think the solenoid has to have air on both airlines for mine to work.

Randy,
John has posted a .pdf file under suspensions..
http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.co...1&d=1207633069

..which is called a "T H E H A L D E X T Y P E C R
C O N T R O L L E D R E S P O N S E H E I G H T
C O N T R O L VA LV E"
This valve has an optional dump valve which has no electrical connections only three piping connections. In order to dump, the air springs supply air from either a manual or solenoid valve is required to cause the spring in the dump valve to be overcome exhausting the air.

Anyway, that is my take on this diagram.

What you describe is then as normal as Apple Pie, A La Mode at that.

birds_first · #9 06-03-2008

Say Bill, How did we get shorted on this deal. I agree it would make sence for the dump & levelers to be on the outside of our birds. I sure do get tired of running in & out to level up the ole bus. Would it be possible to add an auto air leveling system to the air springs?

iamflagman · #10 06-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by birds_first

I sure do get tired of running in & out to level up the ole bus.

John,

In my case I just count that as my daily exercise quota for the day

Actually, I carry a 3 foot carpenters level and place it up on the dash, to get the side to side level set and then I take it back to the kitchen counter and check to see if that is just a little bit nose high for proper draining, as my leveling lights are inoperative. I might make one trip outside during the leveling process to place the Lexan squares under the leveler pads before droping them completely down.

I usually don't take more than about fifteen minutes to do all of this and actually most of the time I don't level the 'Bird at all, as long as the parking space is close to level to start off with and depending on how long I'm going to be there.

I have never had a problem with the newer style Norcold refrigerator cooling properly doing it this way and the dog and cat really don't care if it's level inside