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06-06-2017, 02:56 PM
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#1
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New Member
2015 Interstate Grand Tour
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 3
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Malfunctioning black tank valve
This is my first post on this forum - though I have been reading it for 3 years.. I went to empty my waste tanks starting with the black tank. When finished, the valve would not close and the switch indicator was on. I tried flushing the black in case something was blocking the valve from closing, to no avail. I pulled fuse #7 and replaced it without effect. When I press the black valve switch, there is no sound. I am ~1500 miles from home and no where near an airstream dealer. Does anyone have suggestions? (Where is Protagonist?)
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06-06-2017, 03:06 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,077
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Hmm....someone may be able to troubleshoot this for you, but I would also look for RV repair near you.
You've looked at your owners manual for tips?
Good luck.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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06-06-2017, 03:15 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
League City
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,139
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Where is Protagonist... a question many have asked... the answer is not here, but some of us strive to fill his very large shoes at least occasionally.
The issue rings a faint bell with me but we have an older Interstate so we don't have that valve. I'm sure one of the NCV3 owners will chime in quickly.
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06-06-2017, 03:55 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2009 22' Interstate
St. Paul
, Minnesota
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 166
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertCat
This is my first post on this forum - though I have been reading it for 3 years.. I went to empty my waste tanks starting with the black tank. When finished, the valve would not close and the switch indicator was on. I tried flushing the black in case something was blocking the valve from closing, to no avail. I pulled fuse #7 and replaced it without effect. When I press the black valve switch, there is no sound. I am ~1500 miles from home and no where near an airstream dealer. Does anyone have suggestions? (Where is Protagonist?)
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Which year and model rv do you have?
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06-06-2017, 03:59 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2024 Interstate 19
Fulton
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,879
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertCat
This is my first post on this forum - though I have been reading it for 3 years.. I went to empty my waste tanks starting with the black tank. When finished, the valve would not close and the switch indicator was on. I tried flushing the black in case something was blocking the valve from closing, to no avail. I pulled fuse #7 and replaced it without effect. When I press the black valve switch, there is no sound. I am ~1500 miles from home and no where near an airstream dealer. Does anyone have suggestions? (Where is Protagonist?)
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Does the Macerator pump run? ... or is it just a problem with the dump valve. The valve can be closed manually but you will have to get under the van to do it. I'm attaching a page from owner's manual on how to free up the Macerator pump and the details on the dump valves. I assume Airstream is still using the Auto-Drain valves.
Good Luck,
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
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06-06-2017, 05:06 PM
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#6
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New Member
2015 Interstate Grand Tour
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 3
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I have a 2015 Grand Tour. The problem seems to be limited to the black tank valve - the macerator works. Thanks everyone for help.
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06-06-2017, 07:30 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
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If you decide to go the manual route, might check the wiring while you are under there. I know Protag said he could only open one valve at a time but I could open both at the same time on mine. Not there was a need to do so. Not sure how AS interlocked them but you might try the gray valve just to see.
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
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06-06-2017, 08:29 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Sedona
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,084
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On mine only one valve can be open at any one time.
Just a thought, but I wonder if the wires on the switches (behind the switch panel) can be swapped; perhaps that will permit the grey valve to be opened.
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06-07-2017, 06:49 AM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Camas
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 288
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Don't know if this helps: On my 2014.5, my gray valve reopened just a bit after closing and the red indicator light turned on, like something squishy was stuck at the valve body, and a very small leak dripping at the macerator body. To force close it, I kept pressing on its close switch while opening the black valve, then quickly close the black valve, this step seemed to hold the gray valve shut and stopped the leak completely, there is an interplay between the two valves which stops one from moving while the other is in action. I would experiment with both valves alternately to see if there's a sticking sensor keeping your red valve from closing. I'll think of what next to assist you hang in there!
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06-07-2017, 08:06 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Camas
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 288
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If yours are like mine, the stuck open black valve will prevent you from dumping your full gray tank and service is nowhere near, I would look for a cement sidewalk that I could drive on and put the left side of the rig up to gain access to the under belly and manually open the gray dump valve so you can dump for the remainder of your trip or next service. This makes a common tank so you need to close all the sink and bathroom drains tight after each use to prevent odor in your coach. This worries me every time I used the system, slick when it works but sucks when it fails due to complexity.
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06-07-2017, 10:23 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2013 Interstate Coach
Waterloo
, Iowa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,598
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I have a 2013 Lounge EXT. My valves only open one at a time. Perhaps the problem is with the relay. On mine the relays are under the road-side seat, against the van wall and sitting on top of the rear wheel well. Perhaps try swapping relays (mine are identical) and see if the problem moves to the other valve.
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06-07-2017, 08:10 PM
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#12
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1 Rivet Member
2009 22' Interstate
Ft Wright
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 6
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the issue I had was the valve was turned so the wiring was too close to the exhaust and the valve stopped working when the wires melted and shorted out. To troubleshoot, I swapped the wiring harness at the switches. when the black valve didn't work with good wiring at the switch, I crawled under and found melted wires.
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06-07-2017, 09:34 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2012 Interstate Coach
Westerville
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 51
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Had the same issue a couple of times. First time I crawled under the van and disconnected the black tank valve rod from the motor and worked the valve open and closed several times until I felt it break through what I assumed was toilet paper stuck in the path of the valve. Hooked it back up and it worked fine. The second time it happened, I added a lot of water from the toilet to the tank, then opened the valve with the switch and turned on the macerator and it flushed the toilet paper from the valve and it closed as it should after that. The key I think is to make sure there is plenty of liquid in the black tank before dumping. I remember reading something somewhere about different brands of toilet paper and how well they dissolved, and the winner was not an RV specific paper, but a common brand, but I don't remember which one.
__________________
Bob
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06-11-2017, 07:07 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Skydeck 390 SD
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 568
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I use angel soft which seams to work fine.
I try to any dump of the tanks are full and if I store for longer time I keep water in the black and gray tank do nothing can dry out and harden.
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10-15-2017, 08:54 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Las vegas
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 60
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I don’t know if OP solved their problem but I’m having this same issue. Grey opens and closes fine. Black opens but doesn’t close. This leads me to blv it’s not a wiring issue. As a temp solution if you reach under the van where the toilet is, you will see this stem sticking out (photo attached is upside down). If you push very hard on it, you can close it manually. This at least allows you to empty out grey, and more importantly it keeps anything stuck in black valve from drying and solidifying. I am still searching for the cause in my case. There was no TP in our tank and the fact that it manually closes suggests to me the issue isn’t an obstruction. My guess is it’s not wiring as that would affect both opening AND closing Ideas and theories welcomed !
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10-15-2017, 10:24 AM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Camas
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elgo
I don’t know if OP solved their problem but I’m having this same issue. Grey opens and closes fine. Black opens but doesn’t close. This leads me to blv it’s not a wiring issue. As a temp solution if you reach under the van where the toilet is, you will see this stem sticking out (photo attached is upside down). If you push very hard on it, you can close it manually. This at least allows you to empty out grey, and more importantly it keeps anything stuck in black valve from drying and solidifying. I am still searching for the cause in my case. There was no TP in our tank and the fact that it manually closes suggests to me the issue isn’t an obstruction. My guess is it’s not wiring as that would affect both opening AND closing Ideas and theories welcomed !
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Maybe the black tank switch 3-way close position is bad and not making contact?
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