It happened. The front slide would not retract. TT Barry B. and then Mark at FOT and he walked me through the retract process. Now the slide is in but will not extend. Rear slide operates so it's not the hydraulic motor. The air bladder fills and empties as required. Figure the problem is either the sensors or the solenoids.
We will not be back in Texas until Sept 22nd so can't get to Nac. until after then. I would like to do some trouble shooting but can not find the 6 solenoid unit drawing and specifications anywhere. One set of solenoids is for the Front Slide, one set for the Rear and one set is for the locking pins. I have seen the 4 set diagram and also an 8 set diagram but am looking for a 6 solenoid manifold drawing. I am also looking for troubleshooting info. Have been all over the HWH web site but can't locate the info for my HWH® SpaceMaker®
Dual-Cylinder X-Slide Hydraulic Room Extension
(with HWH® Synchronizing Cylinder)
ML29639
If anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.
It is a good day.
Thanks for your assistance.
Scott, your coach is the nit before ours. We are 5955. We recently had issues with our slide as well. Give me some symptoms. When you turn the key, do you get any lights on the pad? Does the pump run at all? (Red light). I assume FOT had you check hydraulic fluid levels. No leaks?
Also call HWH. You can always stop in Moscow Iowa and they will take care of you. We had to replace all of our boards for the front room.
Tom
Hi Tom,
We should compare notes about our slides and coaches. My build number is 5957.
Jim
2002 42'
308-440-5154
Scott,
Try this link, room info is near the bottom:
HWH Service Manuals (http://www.hwhcorp.com/service34.html)
I found this trouble shooting guide, there are others, hope it helps.
http://www.hwhcorp.com/ml11570.pdf (http://www.hwhcorp.com/ml11570.pdf)
Keith
Jim, I'm all ears. My build # is 5951. Had new white hard plastic spacers replaced in the living room slide-out. One had split and I found the piece just "hanging on" after moving slide room out and looking under the inside edge with flashlight! I thought I heard a soft grinding noise. MOT did the repair- checked all air lines, seals and everything asso. with both slides. The big slide room was pushed into the coach after removing the entire inside fascia to gain access.
Ed,
You are lucky, mine had to be removed in order to gain access for the bladder.
Our room was pushed in when we had FOT replace the bladder. All of us 02s should chat! I believe we have the same slides. 03 is when FOT went to the nonlocking pin slides.
I know the slide room on mine comes OUT when you replace the bladder, needs fork lift, big P I T A.....
Oh well, I still like it....
Yep, Yep, Yep...
Thanks Keith - That's what I was looking for.
TT Mark at FOT.
Fluid levels are good.
Front Slide -
Symptoms: Turn key on - Bladder deflates Yellow/Amber light blinks for about 22 cycles the stops. Press Retract button and nothing happens. Can hear the Hyd. Pump working.
Rear slide works.
We have a 6 solenoid manifold as stated above. I think I have attached a cad drawing. (Not to scale - only for a reference.)
Procedure for retracting slide - If hydraulic pump works (rear slide works fine).
1. Turn key to "ON" for slide on the instrument console and wait for bladder to deflate. If it doesn't deflate - Stop and go to Barry's site for procedure to pinch air line.
2. Turn 1/4" nut on the end of the solenoid # 1 and 4 for 4 revolutions counter-clockwise - loosen. You should hear some sounds as Hyd. fluid moves?
3. Push Retract button on instrument console. Slide should come in. If not it will have to be manually pushed in by some strong guys/gals.
4. Turn key "OFF" bladder should inflate.
Have been playing phone tag with HWH and will continue to try.
There are also some authorized service centers in the areal and will make some calls tomorrow to check availability.
May swing past Iowa if need be but just a little out of our way.
Would like to know how to check solenoid function. I presume with a meter but how? Checking on the web but our connection is so slow, slow, slow.
Another '02 here...#5981. Here's my latest:
I drove to RnR in Spokane in June and got "some" of my previous slide issues dealt with, where I hadn't put it out for a few years out of fear it wouldn't come back in.
Right after that, I drove to Sturgis and confidently put the slide out. The next day, I deflated the bladder and pressed the slide-in button. Zip, Nada. Nothing. Broke into a cold sweat, realizing how far I was from any help. Then I re-inflated the bladder, re-deflated it, and hit the button which now did work. The slide came in on that second try.
My remaining issue is that the rear portion of the slideout creeps in over just a few hours. The front stays pretty much where it belongs, but if left alone, over 24 hours or so, the rear will creep in to leave a gap of around 1"-1-1/2" at the back of the slide. This makes me think that the $$$ bladder is being stressed. So I deflate the bladder and, as I do, the front usually creeps in about 1/2"-3/4". Once the light has cycled to solid, I press the Extend button and the slide moves back out to fully extended. The slide is behaving consistently now, after RnR worked on the issues of coming out erratically (tipping, etc). I ALWAYS re-extend the slide to make sure it is fully extended before bringing it in. Other than the one issue in Sturgis, it has always now retracted evenly and properly.
It would sure seem to me that the system SHOULD have some holding mechanism to secure it in place while out, just as it is secured when in. If anyone has an idea as to why the rear creeps in, maybe you can save me an eventual trip to Moscow.
Brad, it must be hydraulic related. That is the only thing that moves the slides in and out. I would still call HWH. Randy in tech support is great. They are busy but he will call you back and spend however long it takes to trouble shoot. I spent many a day on the phone with him while I climbed in and out if the bay checking lights and such. At he ènd if the day, all new boards were installed and all is good.
Don't be afraid to use the slides. You can always get them in. Even if you have to wire a jumper spot do it! Been there, done that!
It appears that FOT changed the design for good reason(s).
Interesting change. Prevost slides had locking pins up until about 2008. I'm not a fan of the pins locking into the top of the slide as that can cause water issues. Prevost locks from the sides top and bottom.
Michelle and Steve can comment on the locking or how a slide is held in or out on a2003 coach.
I think ours is called the "Train" system...used for the one year (2002) only. We're special that way. Free endcap cracks, too! LOL
If you have a line leaking the slide may creep in or out, but is probably a bad hydraulic solenoid valve. I am not sure if it would be the extend or the retract solenoid valve. It would be best to talk to Randy at HWH as he can give you information as to which one to change.
I have yet to call HWH, but going there was on my list of to-dos. This last journey to RnR helped a lot, but during that servicing, they called Foretravel for assistance and got VERY different directions. Luckily, the first direction did not seem right to Luke. The FT tech told him to order some unit that would cost about $1,000 and take 3 weeks to get there (throw money at it). I told him I didn't have that kind of time and, while working on another coach and, I guess, pondering about mine, he called FT back the next day to get more advice. This time, he got a different Tech at FT who told him that what he needed to do was about a two-hour reset/recycling of the system...no $1000 part. It solved the issue of getting it to come out and retract smoothly. Luke said it was "way out of synch."
I have been hesitant to try to call HWH, as I imagine time is money to them. But if I can get this resolved from here instead of traveling to Iowa, I would be thrilled. The fact that it now behaves consistently makes me a lot more comfortable in using it. I love the coach with the slide in...and love it a lot more when I can open it up!
And Red Tractor, they did replace one $200+ valve. Perhaps another needs replacement??? I will call when I can. Do you happen to have their number handy?
HWH. 800-321-3494
I would always start with a call to HWH. FOT and even MOT end up pointing just replacing parts until it is fixed. hWH doesn't charge for tech support and they can walk you through how to check for things. They are great.
HWH phone # 800-321-3494 or 563-724-3396 or fax 563-724-3408
We have spent about $3,800 (best I remember) on our slides at FOT. They work about half the time. Love the coach. Wish the slides worked. I guess 02 wasn't the best year.
Our issue seems to be the pump starting when it should to suction the bladders. I can turn on the air tank switch and sometimes get them to work after the pump runs a while.
Thanks for the number and the encouragement! Maybe I'll try to write up the issue and fx it to them, asking for a call at their convenience. Seems others have similar experience. HWH seems to be a lot better choice than elsewhere, sorry to say.
Finally got through to Randy @ HWH after playing phone tag. This guy knows his stuff.
Brad make the call....... :) It could take a week or two for them to return the call. They are very busy. Once you get a reference # I believe it gets some sort of call back priority.
Long story short...He directed me to a control board and found a 2 amp fuse that had blown. Replaced it....'course I didn't have one so I got some from NAPA, installed the new one and the system worked....slide extended. Red light on the inside control panel still didn't go out but will report semi-success to Randy on Tuesday IF we can connect and try to take the next step.
Ok why it blew is the question. Mine was from a bad pin or a control board being loose.
Not sure if it's the same for '02, but on an '03 system, the red light not going out could be either room sensors (room in/room out) not lined up properly (an issue we had in the past) or related to the 3000 psi switch (bad switch, not enough hydraulic pressure)
2003 U320 - Bedroom slide red light does not go out on room extend (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=18548.0)
I guess it would be best if the fuse blew because it was old. Probably not....so we will take the next step. Feel better talking to HWH than anyone else at this point. I'm sure I'll have to pull the "header" on the slide off. Wonder if my zip tie leak issue is tied to this failure??? Hmmmmm. At least at this point the slide is extended and have some confidence that I can get it closed again.
TT Randy @ HWH - good guy and knows his stuff. Fuse blew due to pinched/severed wires on the micro switch for the slide. As some of you know in another thread I had some slide leaks that were caused by some broken zip ties. I did replace some zip ties but not knowing how the slide worked I placed them in areas that allowed some hydraulic and electric lines to get pinched - not good. Have ordered a new micro switch PN RAP90693 and will have it delivered to Texas as we are leaving Gig Harbor this Sunday. While removing the interior header and legs that cover the slide mechanism I broke of one of the legs and had to redesign how the 3 pieces were attached together so now each leg is independent of the top horizontal cover. Can supply details of this modification to any one interested. In my opinion the design was poor but it did work well for many years. Anyway, when and If I have to get into the hydraulics and stuff for the slide I can just take off the Header independent of the legs.
Sooooooooo. The slide is working, I will replace the micro switch in Texas and we shall see what occurs next for me to worry about and work on.
As you undoubtedly know, this minor/major repair would have cost Hundreds of $$$ to fix if I had gone to an RV repair facility and my confidence level as to the honesty and quality of the service is questionable. When we bring our coaches to some one to diagnose and work on it is almost like writing them a blank check - ARGHHHHH.
Thanks again to all of you that continue to assist Carol and I in our adventure. ;D
Glad to hear slide is working! Safe travels and we look forward to seeing you and Carol at Rayford Crossing.
We should arrive on Sept. 26th for a week - then back on Oct 18th for a week - then to Destin, Fl. for Nov maybe Dec? Then back at Rayford on Jan 15th thru April 1. Time does fly when you are having fun. Looking forward to seeing you too.