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Topic: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck  (Read 927 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #1 –
i think we have an issue where maybe the air pump is not inflating the bladder.  When i went to open the living room slide it was out of wack. 

i see an air pump in the passenger side utility compartment and it will work but there is a connection on the bottom where the air leaks out (see pic).  is there a hose that this should connect to?  is this even the correct pump people refer to?

here's my number 9723107954.  we are presently in New Braunfels at an RV park hoping for the best

jim and kelly

given we just got to our destination and may be stuck if a good soul is willing to walk a newbie though troubleshooting this my family and i would grateful and send you a 12 pack of your favorite beer. 
Jim Choate

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #2 –
here's a better pick that shows where we're getting air loss
Jim Choate

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #3 –
Jim, the fitting that you are referring to is an unloader valve and it is supposed to open and release air when the compressor cycle ends.  It's a normally open valve and when the pressure switch turns on the air compressor, that valve is energized and closes to allow the compressor to build air pressure.  There is no pressure gauge from the factory to confirm that you have pressure in your auxilliary air pressure tank (aka HWH/slide seal tank).  Many have added a gauge for that purpose.  You need to confirm that you have air pressure in your auxilliary tank and that your slide bladders have deflated.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Geodmann –
Jim, the fitting that you are referring to is an unloader valve and it is supposed to open and release air when the compressor cycle ends.  It's a normally open valve and when the pressure switch turns on the air compressor, that valve is energized and closes to allow the compressor to build air pressure. 

George is spot-on. 

If air is leaking out the bottom of that fitting while the aux compressor is running, you won't build pressure.

It could be a bad solenoid/valve seat or it could be a damaged bowl itself. Over time, the thermal cycling when the valve opens to expel condensate causes cracking of the bowl around the fittings that the solenoid valve screws into.
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: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #5 –
I'm going to take a look this am now that rain is slowing. down.  here's a few questions i have

1.  the slide is not lining up.  Should i start the bus, make sure it's on a more  level surface, re level with the HWH and try again?

2. how does the bladder system work.  Is it supposed to deflate for owrafion or inflate?  some general overview would help

3. The in-line fuse to the compressor in the pic had blown.  Any ideas as to what might cause this?  i'll look at the wires too

My main goal is to get the slide to close correctly
Yesterday when we attempted to extend it tilted downward and gave me a good scare.  Right now it's pulled in but still with a 2 inch gap at the top sticking out.

Jim Choate

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #6 –
also, that is not a continuous duty pump - if it runs for a long time it will eventually fail - there are rebuild kits available and the pump is also available on line, or at various places in Nacogdoches.

There is an external on/off switch on mine at the pressure switch, not sure about yours,.  A simple spade male/female connector in the 12V hot or ground on the device will serve the same purpose.

slide bladder will not deflate or inflate all the way with a big leak in the system.  Running the engine and large compressor will ket my bladder in and out on mine eventually, but the 12V  pump is the correct way to get the bladder deflated and inflated

Running the slide in and out with a partially inflated bladder can lead to an expensive bladder replacement
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #7 –
Your coach has a unique slide system only on the 2002. Sounds like you have had a failure of the train system because of it being tipped out. Being that it is tipped out your system will not be meeting necessary limit switch actuation. Sound odd but did it ever go out before being retracted? Is something stuck under the slide between carpet lifting/tipping it out during retraction? Or did this happen apon extension? Wish I had more knowledge to help
Scott

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dsd –
Your coach has a unique slide system only on the 2002. Sounds like you have had a failure of the train system because of it being tipped out. Being that it is tipped out your system will not be meeting necessary limit switch actuation.

If this is a 2002 and thus has the train system, Brad Slaughter's posts and responses on the subject are very informative''

Problems In Nacogdoches?

2002 Train Slide Issue

Large slide moves in.

2002 Slide locking pins problem (Train system)

The aux compressor needs to be running for the slide bladder to inflate and deflate.  You should NOT attempt to move the slide without the bladder fully deflated unless you want to risk tearing the slide bladder.

The aux compressor's fuse likely blew due to the compressor running continuously as a result of a leak.  You've mentioned the condensate bowl unloader/blow off valve area having a leak - that could be the cause or you could have a slide bladder leak as well. 

You might consider reaching out to Brad via the forum PM system to see if he can advise what repair details he got from HWH on the train system. 

You will still need to address the condensate bowl leak.  See here Leaking solenoid valve
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: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #9 –
Michelle alerted me to your post.  If you still need more explanation/help, maybe guidance, please let me know and I will try to help.  I've forgotten more than I knew, but still have my 2002 U270 with train system.  I think Michelle gave you the links for when Scott and I dealt with the issues.  Additionally, ONCE in the 15 years I have owned mine, the air exhaust valve wasn't holding.  Putting my finger on the exhaust actually let it build pressure enough to tell the pump to turn off.  Never happened again after that.

PM  me if you need more.  I've always got time for a Foretraveller stuck.  Hopefully, you have pulled the fuse to get the compressor to stop, by the way.  Many of us over the years have added a switch at the compressor to shut it off when it decides to be cranky.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #10 –
Update. 

I put in a 5 amp fuse related to the auxiliary compressor and solenoid in without it blowing. 

i still have air coming out of the bottom of the water separator but can plug it for now to build pressure. 

The air tank behind the generator has a pin sized hole and leaking air when the compressor is on 

For now i have run a screw up inside the hole with some RTV sealant.   

I plan to run the bus and the compressor at the same time and fully extend the slide.  Thought being that it will self adjust the track.

In talking with some folks it appears that i can reset the HWH system to over ride the error that would prohibit me from moving the coach

my plan is if it doesn't self adjust when i retract it, should still be able to drive back home.  it doesn't fully close at present and sticks out at the top about 2 inches. 

Any concerns regarding traveling this way let me know please.  thanks for helping us, i'm amazed how great this community is
Jim Choate

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #11 –
Relative newbie, but we have the same "train" slide in our 2002 34" 270.

On thing I have learned is its critical that once you push the button to bring the slide in or out, don't let your finger off it until the red light goes off.  This way, the slide has time to fully align and, when bringing it in, engages the locking pins.  Letting you finger off midway or until the full cycle of aligning/locking completes, puts you at risk of a misalignment as you describe.  I keep holding it an count to three after the red light goes out.

You might try extending it again, holding the button until the light goes out, then bringing it in doing the same and leaving you finger on the button a couple seconds after it goes out.  Listen for the locking pins engaging.  If you look at the top of the slide, you can see them dropped into the holes if they engage correctly.  Unless they are engaged, you won't be able to get into travel mode without overriding the system on the control box in the bay. 

We had an issue with the slide when we first bought the coach in February.  Had it at MOT and they diagnosed it as the "slide sync cylinder, which is what ensures the for side come in evenly at the end of the travel cycle (the red light going out process above).  Ordered the part.  Was supposed to take 4 to 6 weeks but at week 12 we said the heck with it and booked an appointment at HWH, the manufacturer, in Moscow IA last month.    If you can get there, I highly recommend it.  They checked out whole system, leveling, suspension and slide.  They were able rebuild the slide sync cylinder and the bill was under $400 including labor.  (The new part we ordered was over $1000).  The HWH system is the most intimidating to me as a newbie, and they were great in explaining everything and now have the peace of mind knowing everything is in order from when they worked on it.  Haven't had a single issue with the train slide since.

I learned after we bought the coach that the train slide is unique to 2002 and prone to a "slide creep" issue (which HWH can test for).  At first that was concerning, but I'm not as concerned after learning and reading about it on the Forum and know we have the folks here at a HWH to help. 

It's been a big learning curve going from a Class C to the Foretravel (someone here said like drinking from  fire-hose) but 6 months in I have a lot more knowledge and confidence.  People here are great and I wouldn't change a thing.
Joe Phebus and Jaime Trujillo
2002 U270 3410  Build: 5953 Motorcader # 18595
2100 W Solar, 600 AH Battleborn Batteries,  Victron Multi-Plus II 3000 Inverter, Cerbo GX, & MPPT Chargers
1992 Geo Tracker

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #12 –
One thing I've learned is to never move the slide until you can visually see that the slide seal has retracted. I can see light thru the opening of the seal from inside the coach.


Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Please Help. Slide issue and stuck

Reply #13 –
Yes, I've posted before that on our year coach, the indicator light for "deflated seal" is on a timer, not a pressure sensor.  I have to wait an extra 10 seconds for mine to fully deflate after the light comes on.  When ever possible, I eyeball it for proper deflation.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15