Stairs, Leveling Jacks, and Electric Hose Reel Won't Retract

[435-fht]

14 hours from home and am having problems with my 2025 Seneca XT 35L. This morning started when one leveling jacks wouldn't retract. It went downhill from there.

I tried cycling the jacks up/down, but a second jack is stuck in the down position. The fuse for the hydraulic motor blew. When I was changing the fuse, I noticed that the connection to the hydraulic pump motor looked corroded, probably from spilled DEF.

Trying to clean the motor wiring connections, my wrench shorted the + and - terminals at the motor. Now I have no power to the leveling system, retractable steps, and the electric cable hose reel.

I've figured out how to disconnect the step linkage to get home, but any idea where the fuses are for the steps, leveling system and hose reel? I've looked in the battery bay, and other basement bays, but nothing obvious. The fuse panels under the bed don't have any tripped or blown circuits.

 

[435-fht]

I got the leveling jacks up by loosening the hydraulic hoses, and pushing the cylinder piston up with a bottle jack. First I had to dig a hole under the leveling jack feet. Let me assure you today was less than fun.

 

[435-fht]

Back up camera is not working either. It seems most of my 12 VDC systems are out.

 

[BIGPAPA1970]

There should be a reset breaker that controls these items. I believe there is a wood panel in the bay behind the batteries that is hiding the breaker. Do a search on the forum Rusty I believe had a write up

 

[Rustynuts]

In one of the compartment there should be a black plywood box with a removable cover. I am not sure where this is on the newer XT models, just start looking. Remove the cover and you will see assorted breakers, fuses, BIM and battery disconnect relay. Check for a tripped breaker, on the black square ones, a colored lever will be sticking out the bottom if it is tripped, just press the lever back up into the body and it will lock in.

 

[SanTanSeneca]

I have a 2018 37 HJ and experienced the same issue about 4 years ago. I discovered a circuit breaker located on top of the battery had tripped and it looked unlike any circuit breaker that I had seen before. To reset it you had to push a little lever back in. Once I discovered that, my steps, power cord reel and jacks worked again. What I also discovered was that all these items worked when plugged into shore power, but didn't when unplugged.

Good luck
Mark

 

[Rustynuts]

For people responding, this is on a Seneca XT on the Ford chassis so much different than a Freightliner chassis.

Also check these 2 fuses on the positive battery post on the batteries under the hood

 

[435-fht]

UPDATE: With remote help from my dealer and a call to Jayco customer service, they confirmed all my failed systems are on the same breaker. The breaker is behind a hidden panel inside the second storage compartment back on the driver's side (first compartment after DEF fill).

Unfortunately, none of the breakers were tripped. I was totally dejected. The leveling system and retractable step systems failing was the last straw. I decided to drive the 14 hours straight home.

During the drive, I also discovered the rearview camera must be on the same circuit, because it wasn't working either.

Another problem reared its head. Around 1500 miles, I started getting a warning light about low DEF levels. The DEF tank was supposed to be filled when I took delivery with 800 miles. I tried to add some DEF with a 2.5 gallon jug. After pouring about a gallon of the fluid, half was on the ground and the filler neck would not take any more. I mentioned this the Jayco customer service, and mentioned my DEF filler neck looks just like the one on TSB 23-096 DEF Hose and Vent Hose, but was assured, that wasn't the issue.

I spent most of today recovering from yesterday's drive. Tomorrow, I'm dropping my RV at the dealer with a 2 page list of warranty issues.

I'm definitely having buyers remorse with this purchase.

 

[JFlightRisk]

Getting any new RV is a learning curve. You've experienced some issues that no dealer I know covers how to deal with them. Once fixed, ask the tech exactly what he found was wrong, and what he did where to fix it. Then if it ever happens years down the road, you'll know where to look.

 

[JCGibson]

I have a 2022 Accolade and although a different chassis I would imagine Jayco wires them in a similar fashion. I had the same exact problems and I discovered that all the positive wires from the steps, power cord real, leveling jacks, etc were connected to a single Insulated Battery Power Junction Post Block that connects to the chassis batteries. It was located under the cab area attached to a frame rail. The nut holding them on the post was loose and once I tightened it all worked and have so ever since.

 

[WillU]

Just an FYI for anyone dealing with an issue that might be related to the Ford chassis, including Ford installed wiring. There is a number to contact Ford for motorhome chassis assistance and, in my experience, they are very helpful. That number is 800-444-3311 and is operational from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm eastern time Monday through Friday.

 

[435-fht]

Just an FYI for anyone dealing with an issue that might be related to the Ford chassis, including Ford installed wiring. There is a number to contact Ford for motorhome chassis assistance and, in my experience, they are very helpful. That number is 800-444-3311 and is operational from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm eastern time Monday through Friday.

Thanks for the information. I will say, when we bought our Greyhawk, there was a card with numbers to call. I don't recall this with the Seneca.

My RV has been dropped off at my dealer last week with an understanding that I need it repaired by late April.

When I mentioned to Jayco customer service that the TSB issued to resolve problems with the DEF vent hose routing in 2023 has returned. That got their attention. They contacted my dealers service department to offer assistance.