Pressing the button on a leveling system is something all RV owners sweat over. If the leveling system for your RV is malfunctioning it can cause a lot of problems.
That’s why it is essential to always keep the leveling system in check and if malfunctions occur fix them or get them replaced immediately.
This article will identify some of these Lippert 6-point leveling system problems and offer solutions, so you don’t have to worry about the safety of you or your RV.
Symptoms of the Problems:
- Hitch Height Not Working
- One of the Jacks Doesn’t Extend
- Creaking Noise from the Jacks
- Stressed Hydraulic Motor
- Auto Level Timeout
Possible Reasons and Fixes for Lippert 6-Point Leveling System Problems
Lippert 6-point leveling system problems may occur for several reasons, such as hitch height not working, creaking noise from the jacks, etc.
To know more about the sources of problems and solutions to the issues, follow the instruction given below:
1. Hitch Height Not Working
The hitch height or coupling height setting doesn’t work when there is a tower attached that is moderately heavy. This problem arises after removing the battery during the winter.
A red blinking light appears on the outside control unit. The main digital panel shows a “Vehicle in Motion, features disabled. Press OK to Continue” sign, and even after retracting it ends up in a loop.
Fix
The hitch height feature never works properly. The best decision would be to ignore it altogether. There is no need to raise the rear before raising the front.
If using the hitch height is important, record the height of the nose.
After the height of the nose is recorded, manually adjusting it will make the height lost and it will need to be recorded again after auto level for it to work.
2. One of the Jacks Doesn’t Extend
This problem usually occurs on the left middle jack and it gets stuck up. What happens is the jack gets retracted and doesn’t come down. The control pad shows an “LM Jack error” for the one that doesn’t extend.
When one of the jacks doesn’t extend, the whole system becomes unstable and it is very dangerous to work maintenance or use the RV. A lot of accidents occur when jacks get jammed inside and don’t extend.
Fix
Check the manual for a fitting on top of the jack to manually adjust it. There should be an option to do an override and force the jack to retract or extend. You can also try unplugging all of the fuses in the brain box and plugging them.
If the whole system is in error mode, extend all the jacks at least 6 inches and then retract them to fix the error popup.
3. Creaking Noise from the Jacks
If the hydraulic fluids in the jacks dry out, they can make a creaking or popping noise when retracting or extending. It can also cause the trailer to not stay level for any time.
Only the sound is not that threatening but it can cause problems for people camping out. It gets more serious when a group is out camping and one of their trailers starts to make noise out of nowhere.
Furthermore, it can cause the trailer to lose some stability and stiffness.
Fix
The easiest solution is to use an approved Lipper Fork Oil even if the jacks don’t make any noise. Try the auto-level setting and see if that fixes the issue.
Make sure the rams are clean and the hydraulic reservoir is full by checking with all slides closed before retracting. Don’t over-extend the rams by placing wood or leveling pads under the ram pads.
4. Stressed Hydraulic Motor
If the trailer’s leveling system has not been used for a long time, it can build up moisture in the hydraulic system that causes corrosion blocks in various parts of the metal preventing fluid flow.
When that happens, the hydraulic motor has to overwork and gets stressed. The source of the problem is most likely the hydraulic valve body.
Fix
Check the electromagnetic coil for poor electrical connection or broken wire. Remove the coils one at a time and make sure the mounts haven’t corroded.
Tap the valve body lightly and it should free up a stuck valve. If that doesn’t help, spray the passages with parts cleaner from an aerosol can and it will dislodge any debris that may have been stuck.
5. Auto Level Timeout
While trying to use the auto-level feature, the system tries to run but shuts off with a timeout error message. If it goes into extending or retracting, it just stops and the jacks get stuck.
It may happen that when you go into manual mode to retract or extend the legs but Auto Level doesn’t work. This happens mostly on battery but also sometimes when plugged in.
Fix
If it’s not hooked up, then attach it to the truck. Then use the auto retract option which will raise all 6 legs. Then turn off the Level-up power.
Use the front switch to raise the front to truck height. Go back and try the auto level button again and that should fix the problem. Also, check the connectors to make sure they are not loose.
Software Issue: Another Source of Lippert 6-Point Leveling System Problems?
This is an important part that should be fixed. A lot of the time the software is the culprit for the malfunction. The system sometimes starts beeping and only displays dark boxes.
This indicates a power issue and the system needs to be reset or recalibrated. The beeping sound is the signal for this. To reset the system, follow these instructions:
- Turn off the system.
- Push the “Front” button five times.
- Push the “Rear” button five times.
- The Control will flash and beep and the LCD will say “Zero Point Calibration”.
- Manually operate the jacks to a unit level.
- Record this level by pressing “Enter”.
Sometimes the EPROM with the software gets corrupted and the system goes wild. This can cause users to face all of the problems mentioned in this article. So, getting it fixed is very important.
The first place to look at is the control problem. Make sure, there is no connector problem. The brain is located somewhere near the pump. Check the battery connection and grounds.
Disconnect the 12v battery to the system and pull the fuse and replace it. If that doesn’t fix the problem, it’s most likely a voltage issue and the system will show a “Low Voltage” error.
Follow the instructions over here to get it fixed and you should be ready to be on the road for your camping trip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the Lippert leveling system have a fuse?
Yes, it does. The fuse is located in the center which powers the controller and the touchpad.
Why is my Lippert leveling system blinking red?
A blinking red light on the touchpad indicates a system error. To determine which error code the system is registering, consult the One Control Touch Panel Screen or the Leveling app.
How long does Lippert’s warranty last?
The following is the warranty period: All products have a one-year limited warranty on grease and oil seals. Spring axles and suspension systems have a 6-year limited warranty. Torsion axles have a limited 11-year warranty.
How do you get rid of stroke errors?
You can fix the error by extending all of the system’s jacks by at least 6 inches. For the jacks to retract, press and hold the retract button. The error must be fixed, and all of the jacks must fully retract.
Conclusion
That was everything you needed to know about the Lippert 6-point leveling system problems. If you face any of the problems discussed, I hope this article will be of help in solving them.
The last thing to note is that, if you are not that tech-savvy it is best to have a professional mechanic look at it rather than trying to fix it yourself and breaking it even further.