Hey guys, we have been trying to prep Newell 497 to sell and I can't seem to get the front suspension to air up normally. When the coach is started, after air pressure is built up, the front bags do not inflate. I can manually inflate them via the HWH system and it will stay aired up for days. What should I be zeroing in on here? Height control valve maybe? Also, not sure if this helps or even matters, but this coach does have the factory independent front suspension. Thanks in advance
I would look at the front height control valve and the two travel solenoids on the front six pack. If the up solenoid is not engaging, that would prevent air from going to the front air bags in travel mode while allowing air to flow to the bags in level mode. If the adjustment on the height control valve has slipped, the front would not level properly in travel mode or if the front height control valve is malfunctioning it could be exhausting air from the from air bags all the time. I had a split in the case of my height control valve that was massive resulting in replacing all my height control valves.
If the HWH system is "off" I would think that the up-solenoid in the front six pack may be stuck. I have never replaced one but that could cause the front not to raise.
If you manually air up coach, then with key on and engine off (AND HWH OFF) do you hear air being released? That would point to HCV. If no air, does the coach stay in the travel mode if you try to drive with coach aired up?
CAUTION: if you are thinking about getting under coach to look...please be sure to crib the suspension first.
I agree with previous diagnosis, HCV or Six pack solenoids stuck.
Try this, use the leveling mode to air it up as far as possible, you should see several inches above the tires at the fender well. What happens when you put it back in travel mode? Does it settle down, or remain high. If it settles you may have a HCV issue. It it stays high, then the travel solenoids are not opening, they could be stuck, or they may not be getting voltage.
Second trick anytime you are diagnosing six pack valves, if the solenoid is getting voltage, a steel washer will stick to the solenoid cause it is magnetized.
I hesitate to bring it up, cause I thought it was only my coach, 512. The way the front HCV is currently configured, if the coach is TOO low, it takes the HCV out of it's useable range and it will not air up. I have to raise the coach a few inches and then the HCV will work again. Yeah, yeah, I know. It's on the someday list of things to fix.