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Topic: Slide out bladder will not inflate (Read 851 times) previous topic - next topic

Slide out bladder will not inflate

2000 U320 with one slide out.  The bladder will pull a vacuum as indicated by the amber light, but when either extended or pulled in the bladder won't inflate and I can see daylight around the slide out.

I believe the small compressor midway down on the drivers side is responsible for filling the bladder, although I could be wrong!!. 

Any ideas on how to test the compressor?  It has voltage. but doesn't come on.  A sensor maybe?  Haven't found much help on the coach prints.

Re: Slide out bladder will not inflate

Reply #1
Put a gauge before the manifold to see what the pressure is going to it.. does the compressor run? if it runs does it shut off?

Single slide or dbl slide?

Re: Slide out bladder will not inflate

Reply #2
Single slide.  I'll have to get a gauge and try that.

Re: Slide out bladder will not inflate

Reply #3
you should have a shut off at the manifold... make sure its open

Re: Slide out bladder will not inflate

Reply #4
you should have a shut off at the manifold... make sure its open
Yup. I inadvertently bumped the shut off on ours... felt kinda stewpud when I found it..
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: Slide out bladder will not inflate

Reply #5
If she can pull a vacuum, I'd think the valve would be open. Have you checked the circuit breaker for the pump? Oops, that doesn't make sense either as the pump needs to run to pull the vacuum!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Slide out bladder will not inflate

Reply #6
2000 U320 with one slide out.  The bladder will pull a vacuum as indicated by the amber light,

I had thought all the coaches with slides were set up with vacuum sensors tied to the amber light.  Someone corrected me that prior to 2003 or maybe even 2002 it was strictly timer-based, so the bladder might not even be pulling vacuum.

The compressor not only inflates the bladder but also creates the vacuum (using venturi) to deflate the bladder.  If it's not running at all (check the inline fuse and breaker as well), that could be the problem.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Slide out bladder will not inflate

Reply #7
Check to see if compressor is running.  If not, check the breaker.
Steve DeLange
2005 U320T 40'
Pearland, Texas

Re: Slide out bladder will not inflate

Reply #8
Prior to 2002 the yellow light comes on after about 40 seconds, it is on a timer.  So the yellow light will come on even if the bladder is not deflated.  Look at the front and rear edges to verify that you can see light before extending or retracting.  You should not hear any squealing which is the bladder dragging on the slide.  Not good!

You need compressed air from the little compressor to deflate the bladder and to reinflate the bladder.  Did you compressor come on while deflating?  Sometimes there is enough air to get the bladder to deflate if the compressor is not running but not enough to then reinflate it.

If the little compressor comes on and there is little or no air in the aux tank then it needs to run for a few minutes before deflating or inflating the bladder.

On my 2001 the pressure switch relay (under the gray cover) sometimes sticks.  Take the gray cover off and poke at the relay contacts to open them.  Sometimes it will start up.  I cleaned all of the contacts with an electrical contact cleaner.  Seems to have helped but I need to find a spare.

If all else fails the air line to the bladder is the one one the bladder manifold (towards the back of the bay under the slide on the inside of the beam under the slide opening) coming out towards the from of the coach.  Loosen the nut and carefully pull the air line out.  It is a compression fitting so a bit of wiggling and tugging may be needed.  Once it comes out you can just blow in the line and reinflate it.  It takes a bit if air and some lung but it works.  And then put the line back in the manifold and tighten it up. It works,  If you suck on the air line the bladder will deflate.  I have done it both ways.


Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN