HWH Active Air issue - left front cycling up and down while air leveled

[Neal]

All has been working great with HWH Active Air since my 2018 install. I had my FL chassis service yesterday and asked the tech to test for leaks like I ask every year to ensure the air system is tight. He found no leaks and then last night after parking post service I noticed the left front falling off from being air leveled, it would then correct itself and air up, then fall off again. I could not hear or detect any leaks. After dealing with this carnival ride and not sleeping I put the jacks down.

This morning I had the tech check again and no leaks. He told me when he pulled into the bay yesterday after turning the key off the left front dropped and then the system aired it up right away. Today seemed more stable but when I went to depart it happened again, left front dropped off and then aired up. I noticed tank 2 was cycling between 107 and 125 during the drive around every 10-15 minutes.

Any AA experts have any suggestions?

The CG I'm parked at now is too steep for AA so I'm on jacks. Probably good so I can get some sleep tonight but can't continue to test or troubleshoot. I reset the system this morning.

 

[J&JD]

I have the exact same problem but mine is the right front acting that way. And when I say exact I mean exact. I no longer use auto level when using air level. I chose manual air, dump bags and look at my level. If I can level without raising the right front (my bad side), I then air level the other three corners manually and the coach stays perfect for days. If I attempt to put air in the right front it will drop within an hour. I have had two Freightliner shops and two independent shops spend hours looking for leaks and cannot find any, many $$$ later.
Called Mitch at HWH and he thought it might be the exhaust solenoid leaking in the front AA component. Have not found anyone smart enough to tackle looking at it in Northern California. I can’t hear anything as it’s inside the front AA component I assume.

Please let me know if you figure it out as it’s been a head scratcher for me.

 

[Neal]

I emailed HWH and I got a reply that it was forwarded to Joe Portelli who is the AA support guru. I'm waiting to hear from him. This trip ends tomorrow (I hope), so I won't be able to do much other than discuss it. I had some discussion offline with @redbaron and my hunch is a bad transducer on that contraption in the front in the GEN area. As I'm heading west in the summer I may have to route through HWH. I think mine is a result of minimal use over the past year, something may be gummed up? I don't know. These things don't do well with non use.

I'll keep this thread updated on anything I learn.

 

[J&JD]

I emailed HWH and I got a reply that it was forwarded to Joe Portelli who is the AA support guru. I'm waiting to hear from him. This trip ends tomorrow (I hope), so I won't be able to do much other than discuss it. I had some discussion offline with @redbaron and my hunch is a bad transducer on that contraption in the front in the GEN area. As I'm heading west in the summer I may have to route through HWH. I think mine is a result of minimal use over the past year, something may be gummed up? I don't know. These things don't do well with non use.

I'll keep this thread updated on anything I learn.

Do you have Mitch’s #? If not, pm me. BTW, Joe is about the only one left in their support section. I think he just asks Mitch or John what might be wrong with AA and he will probably take 2 weeks to get back to you. Better to contact Mitch or John direct.

 

[redbaron]

the easiest way to determine if the transducer is the problem is to swap the transducer for the opposite side into place. If your problem moves, then you know for sure.

This takes less than a minute to do once you find it and have the right tool.

 

[Neal]

I thought I did, or I took a picture of his card. Right now I'll follow the path of their support staff and see how things turn out. He was on the email today as well.

That stuff in the gen bay and I think there is another one aft of the coach gets really dirty which concerns me.

 

[Neal]

the easiest way to determine if the transducer is the problem is to swap the transducer for the opposite side into place. If your problem moves, then you know for sure.

This takes less than a minute to do once you find it and have the right tool.

Good idea. Does it take any particular tool?

I got eyes on them today, so I know where they are.

 

[redbaron]

Good idea. Does it take any particular tool?

I got eyes on them today, so I know where they are.

Last time I did this was in 2013, but I think its just an open end box wrench.

edit: Found notes -- Yes, it just screws in and out. A crescent wrench or proper sized open end box wrench will do the job.

 

[Neal]

Last time I did this was in 2013, but I think its just an open end box wrench.

Thanks, that's what it looked like in the diagram in the manual, just wanted to check before I make something worse.

 

[Neal]

Do you have Mitch’s #? If not, pm me. BTW, Joe is about the only one left in their support section. I think he just asks Mitch or John what might be wrong with AA and he will probably take 2 weeks to get back to you. Better to contact Mitch or John direct.

Well, we'll see how it plays out, maybe I will reach out to Mitch. This is what concerns me about this system, long term support and parts. I think @redbaron has a good suggestion, maybe give it a try as well and swap your left/right transducers and see what happens.