[Archived]

When you send a command from the dash switch the solenoid valves open as required to shift the 3 and 5 port Norgren valves, which in turn do the function you are seeking, such as energizing the 3rd solenoid valve down to shift the five port Norgrens so the ride height valves are functioning. When you switch to another command or turn off the key those solenoid valves close. When they close the air used to shift the Norgren 3 or 5 port valves is exhausted and that is the puff of air you notice.

If you merely closed the valves without releasing that puff of air which allows the Norgren 3 or 5 port valves to shift to their normal position the last command would still be in effect and the valves would not return to their normal position. Think of the puff of air escaping as a cancellation of the previous suspension command.

[Dale]

I guess title = question and answer. Much like a vent on a single action cylinder. Who knows the reason someone removed them?? or maybe they muffle the sound of air discharge. Bob

[Archived]

Norgren solenoid Valves: The right rear was giving me trouble after being parked it would not join the rest of the valves by coming up to the travel setting position. I worked the right rear high / low switch with the travel swith in the center position several times finally coaxing it to finally come up to the travel position. I disasembled the guilty solenoid and cleaned and re-assembled it and so far so good. I’m thinking after 12 years use it’s time to order a new set of Norgren solenoid valves and all other Norgren valves to have on hand. I’m still on original air bags and knock on wood no problems with them. Any suggestions on these items would be apreciated.

[Archived]

There are two schools of thought on the suspensions and their parts.

I fall into the first which is to decide when they have outlived their usefullness and just replace them. I picked 10 years as the age I will replace or rebuild the Norgren valves and replace the air bags. I end up throwing away a lot of perfectly good parts but I rarely have to deal with the leans or problems associated with an aging suspension.

The second option is to leave well enough alone and just replace things when needed. There is certainly some wisdom in that approach because sometimes replacing parts which work properly leads to chasing leaks which did not exist before. I doubt if a motorhome conversion owner can make a choice as to which approach is better because we don’t have fleet statistics available to us to use so we can base a choice on data like a seated coach operator might have. Adding to the difficulty is we often cannot determine if our limited use of our coaches contributes to the longevity of the parts or is adversely affecting them. I suspect inactivity is not good for Norgren valves, but have no data to prove that

So the bottom line is we each have to decide how we are going to deal with our suspensions and their parts. Do we accept the fact air bags are age limited and replace them, or are we comfortable waiting until we get the leans or worse, have an air bag fail. One thing is for sure. At some point our air bags will leak or burst. We just don’t know when.

[Georges]

Harry,

I did my air bags over the winter and that was an ideal time for me to change out the norgrens and shocks since I had all the tires off. My bags were original and although they were cracked on the outside, inside they still looked new. I cut one open just to see if the cracking of the rubber went all the way through. Even though the bags and norgrens were still doing the job, I just have piece of mind knowing I have all new parts. The shocks were completely gone and had no rebound at all.

So I guess it all boils down to personal choices…

[Archived]

I also have some red caps missing and would like to replace them, does anyone have a part number ? Are the caps available or do you have to purchase the whole valve ? And also the part number for the coils, need a couple of spares. Are the valves all the same or are the later model coaches using a different Norgren valve ?

[Paul]

I’m not aware of caps being available. The solenoid valves are a Prevost or Norgren replacement part and are all alike. The solenoid coils are typically all 24 volts, but some converters changed them to 12 volts so before you order, pop them off and verify the voltage from the label. If one is 12 volts or 24 volts do not assume all the rest are. Check the voltages on all coils.

[Rick & Denise]

Don’t try to mix them, using valves that were for 12v and a 24v coil or vice versa. Also, when replacing, be sure to replace as a pair, valve & coil, Norgren told me best to always use a matched set. Don’t know why, but that’s what they said.

You Classic Liberty guys will find all your coil/valves changed to 12v and you can’t get those from Prevost. Not sure if the Elegant Lady is 12 or 24, so be sure to check.

[Robert]

Good info Tom. Just learned something about matching coils and valves.