Lippert 5th wheel hydraulic auto level
What it is
Lippert (LCI) Hydra-Electronic 5th wheel leveling is a 12V DC electric/hydraulic system. It has two front hydraulic jacks, rear hydraulic jacks and rear electric stabilizers. A touch panel runs it, with ON, AUTO, MANUAL, FRONT, REAR, LEFT, RIGHT and RETRACT buttons.
These steps come from the LCI Hydra-Electronic 5th Wheel manual, rev C (12/09/09). Newer Level Up and OneControl panels use different screens and button sequences. Confirm the panel type before you follow these steps.
Before you diagnose
Main power disconnect switch is ON.
Battery is charged. The LOW VOLTAGE light comes on at 9.5 volts.
Jacks fully retracted, then reservoir fluid within 1/4 in of the fill spout lip.
Jack landing spots are clear of debris and depressions. Use pads on soft ground.
Pump unit electrical connections are clean and free of corrosion.
Ask whether auto level already ran since main power came on. Only one auto level is allowed per main power-up.
People and pets are clear of the unit.
Panel warning lights
WAIT|Operation in process
JACKS DOWN|Leveling system is not retracted
LOW VOLTAGE|Batteries low (9.5 volts)
ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE|System not functional
EXCESS ANGLE|Angle is too steep to level
Error codes (WAIT light flashes)
The WAIT light flashes a number of times, pauses, then repeats. Count the flashes in one group. If various lights are flashing, push RETRACT to reset.
2 FLASHES|Satellite sensor problem|Inspect the satellite sensor and its harness connections. Reset with RETRACT.
3 FLASHES|Internal sensor problem|The internal sensor is in the controller. Reset with RETRACT and retest. If it repeats, suspect the controller.
4 FLASHES|Low voltage|Charge the battery and check power and ground connections at the pump.
5 FLASHES|Out of stroke|A jack ran out of travel. Move the unit to more level ground.
6 FLASHES|Panic stop|An operation was stopped. Reset with RETRACT.
7 FLASHES|Jack timeout, leveling took too long|Check fluid level, voltage and the jacks for binding.
8 FLASHES|Auto level failed|Check site slope and zero point, then retry after cycling main power.
9 FLASHES|Stabilizer timeout, stuck or hitting|Look for a rear stabilizer that is jammed or hitting something.
Zero point (level reference) setting
1. Put the unit in manual mode. 2. Level the unit with a reference level on a flat surface. 3. When level, turn the touch panel OFF. 4. Push FRONT quickly 10 times, then REAR 10 times. 5. The panel flashes all lights and beeps. 6. Push RETRACT 3 times to memorize level. 7. WAIT flashes for about 20 seconds. 8. When WAIT goes out, level is set. 9. Push ON/OFF to shut the system off.
Auto level
1. Main power ON. 2. Push ON (green light). 3. Push FRONT to extend both front jacks to 1-2 in from the ground. 4. Unhook the 5th wheel and raise the front to clear the truck. 5. Push AUTO once (lights green), then AUTO again to start. 6. The jacks level the unit, then the rear electric stabilizers go to ground and the system stops.
Manual mode
1. Main power ON, push ON, push MANUAL. 2. Hold each button for as long as you want movement. Movement stops on release. 3. REAR raises both rear jacks. FRONT extends both fronts. RIGHT moves right front and right rear. LEFT moves left front and left rear. 4. RETRACT + REAR retracts the rears. RETRACT + FRONT retracts the fronts. 5. Single front jack: RIGHT + FRONT or LEFT + FRONT.
Side-to-side movement in manual mode is limited to 3 degrees of tilt.
Rear electric stabilizers by hand: Main power ON, push ON. Hold RETRACT + MANUAL to retract. Hold RETRACT + AUTO to extend.
Hook-up and retract
1. Push ON, then FRONT to raise the front end. 2. Back the truck under. 3. Push RETRACT + FRONT to lower onto the hitch. 4. Lock the coupler. 5. Push AUTO, then RETRACT. Rear stabilizers retract first, then the hydraulic jacks. The system shuts off when all are retracted.
Normal behavior that looks like a fault
At panel power-on, the rear stabilizers and rear jacks retract for 4-10 seconds. This is normal: it lets the unit pivot on its wheels when lifting the front.
Auto level won't run a second time? Turn the main power disconnect OFF and then ON. This is a built-in safety feature.
To stop or abort any operation, push ON.
Fluid and maintenance
Fluid|ATF Dexron III or Mercon 5, or a blend of both
Fluid change|Reservoir only, every 36 months
Below 10 F the jacks may move slowly. Use a low-temperature fluid only after checking with the factory.
Fill only with the jacks fully retracted. If you fill with the jacks extended, the reservoir overflows when they retract.
Leaks may be under high pressure and can cause skin-penetrating injury. Keep hands clear.
Never lift the wheels off the ground. Never use the jacks for tire changes or work under the unit. Support both axles on jack stands before going under.
LCI MANUAL|LCI Hydra-Electronic 5th Wheel Leveling Operation and Service Manual, rev C 12/09/09 (via myrvworks.com)
Keep going on slides and leveling
Learn it
- How a slide room is built and carried
- Identify the slide system in a minute
- The in-wall controller: versions and fault codes
- Ball-screw actuator slides: clutch, stops, diagnosis
- Rack and pinion drive: electrical diagnosis
Prove it
- Slide stalls halfway out
- Slide comes in crooked
- Hydraulic slide crawls and stops
- One side of the slide won't move
- Auto-level leaves it crooked