Hydraulic ramp not working - any ideas? (renault dodge horsebox)

SpottyTB

SpottyTB

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Hi there,

Just wandering if anyone can help me.. went to practice loading my youngster today in the lorry and couldn't get the ramp down. The ramp hasn't been down in over 4 months (could be as long as a year - because the mechanic may not have put it down when he said he did - mechanic had it for 6 months.)
I started the lorry up, flicked the ramp switch to off then on (as someone had left it on the ON side) and no light. The interior lights aren't working either. Thought it may just be the bulb in the switch so went and tried the ramp - nothing, not even trying.

Now is this the leisure battery gone flat/died? Or is it wiring? Can anyone give me any ideas? driving me mad, having just spent 2k on it!!
Not entirely sure if the leisure battery controls the ramp ...

any ideas welcome! Also, i am considering having the ramp changed to a sprung, does anyone know how much this would cost me? Not had problems with the ramp before but just prefer a sprung one!

Cheers :)
 
As someone who spent most of yesterday dismantling my chain saw to do an overhaul on the carburetor only to discover it had in fact run out of petrol, I am probably not the best person to advise!:eek:

However (deep breath), the hydraulic system on your ramp works by a pump pushing hydraulic fluid into a piston which pushed the ramp up (and possibly down). So the pump needs to be running which I assume takes power off the engine? (You might need to check that). To get hydraulic fluid into that piston, a small valve has to be activated which is done by electricity when you flick the switch.

So it sounds to me as if you should first suspect a flat battery and not (as I did!) immediately assume it is something complicated. If it was OK a few months ago, the only things that could have gone wrong with the wiring are (a) mice eating it or (b) rapid corrosion which is unlikely or (c) corroded contacts in a switch or relay. BTW, if you leave a battery in the discharged condition for some time, it will ruin the battery so you may need a new one, but try re-charging it first. If it is dud, it will either take a charge which won't last long or not charge at all.

But I think I'd check the battery before removing the engine....:D Then try the ramp with the engine running.
 
Thank you both of you for your helpful replies!! The main battery is fine because the lorry starts first time and runs like a dream... So i'm guessing the leisure battery is flat - but would that be enough to stop the ramp working?
Leisure and main battery are linked together..
 
I think it depends how batteries are linked. Some are done so that the power only goes one way, so that you dont drain starting battery So yes flat/duff battery would be enough. Like trying to use your phone when battery died :)
 
Just bought a new battery so will pop it on later!

Just had a text from my mil who said FIL tried to get the leisure battery out at some point. He found it had leaked and also had a crack in it.. Sounds suspect, so hoping its just that!
 
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