Sure would like to get the door claw to work before we leave West Yellowstone...

[Sebulba]

Hello all,

Well, I took out the door cylinder when we were in Santa Fe and on departure discovered that I had disabled the claw as well.  We used a ratchet strap to pull the door tight on the 900 mile trip to west Yellowstone about 4 and a half months ago.  A little hoky, bu you do what you gotta do.  Now we will be pulling outa here in about 3 weeks and I would like to get this to be a little less hillbilly and a little more goin' to town, if you no what I mean...

So, been thinkin' on it and since I start her up about once a month I have been trying to work through it.  I got the switch that the air cylinder triggered when closed figured out, but the only way I can get the claw to engage is if I use the air dump below the right side of the dash.  If I dump air and close the switch the claw engages.  I sure would like to NOT be dumping air to have the claw work. 

I'm thinking there must be some kind of air triggered electrical switch that makes this happen.  I have laid in the spare tire compartment and tried tracing air lines to no avail.  I'm thinking I would just want to bypass that valve if possible.

Any ideas.

Thanks

Seb

[buswarrior]

The microswitch that was engaged by the door closing mechanism activates a pneumatic solenoid that charges the 2 claws, top and side.

The microswitch alone should make the claws move, with the air left turned on via the red knob under the dash.

Did you remove the pieces that touched the microswitch? Wiring to the solenoid been disconnected or otherwise disturbed?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[jozef]

On our 102D3 we left the door cylinder in place. Sealed the two air lines and connected the hydraulic lines together. Then connected the two sides of the air portion of the cylinder together to prevent entry of dirt. Then drained the hydraulic portion of the door cylinder and connected the two sides of the hydraulic portion of the cylinder together to prevent dirt entry. 

The electric switch on the cylinder was left in place and still activated the claw. When camping we use the bypass lever to release air which opens the claw. When leaving, we close the door and pull the bypass lever to activate the claw.

We wanted the cylinder in place to act as a stop when the door is fully open. Also the cylinder provides some drag and holds the door in any intermediate position.

[Sebulba]

The microswitch that was engaged by the door closing mechanism activates a pneumatic solenoid that charges the 2 claws, top and side.

The microswitch alone should make the claws move, with the air left turned on via the red knob under the dash.

Did you remove the pieces that touched the microswitch? Wiring to the solenoid been disconnected or otherwise disturbed?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Hi Buswarrior,

Glad you chimed in. 

When I removed the door cylinder, I used an not coupler to connect the 2 air lines together and the 2 coolant lines together to prevent leaks. Then just took the cylinder out. The electric pushbutton switch, I just too off, by left all wires in place.

Yes, what you are describing is just what I thought would happen and that I could just replace that button switch with a toggle, and be able to operate the claw.  When I tried it it didn't work, so I the process of trying to trouble shoot I moved that dump valve and the claws engaged.

Frustrating, huh?

Could the fact that those air lines and coolant lines are connected be an issue.  Maybe I should cap then instead?

Thanks a million

Seb

[Sebulba]

On our 102D3 we left the door cylinder in place. Sealed the two air lines and connected the hydraulic lines together. Then connected the two sides of the air portion of the cylinder together to prevent entry of dirt. Then drained the hydraulic portion of the door cylinder and connected the two sides of the hydraulic portion of the cylinder together to prevent dirt entry. 

The electric switch on the cylinder was left in place and still activated the claw. When camping we use the bypass lever to release air which opens the claw. When leaving, we close the door and pull the bypass lever to activate the claw.

We wanted the cylinder in place to act as a stop when the door is fully open. Also the cylinder provides some drag and holds the door in any intermediate position.

So it sounds like you capped off the air and coolant lines.  I joined them with annpt coupler, allowing flow.  Maybe that's where I went wrong?

Thanks for the input.

Seb

[Sebulba]

Hello all,

I seem to have the issue solved.  Instead of connecting those lines together in a loop, capped them.  Now the claw works and I'm not dumping air.  Apparently the air was going through the loop and dumping. 

Thanks for the clues and help.

Seb