Slide stuck out

[Bill M]

Hello:

Well I'm in the driveway of my home in NJ, getting ready to take the rig down to the dealer for some warranty work and one of my slides refuses to go in. The lovely lady speaks and I can hear a motor turn. But no movement of slide.

It's the passenger rear bedroom side slide. So I called the dealer and they're an hour and half away so they won't drop over. Dealer suggests I call Newmar, so I do. Spoke to Brian, Mark and finally Jeff.

Tried swapping the wires on the controllers, but that didn't work. Jeff asked me to look under slide at a rod that should move but doesn't. Jeff says because the rod is not turning we should be able to push the slide in with 4 or 5 large guys. At least one inside to help it up the ramp and the rest outside.

I should add that I have a bad back, just was at the chiropractor yesterday.

Does any of this make sense so far? I can try to round up some muscle, but I thought I would put this out here first. Any comments from you all?

Thanks, Bill

[GaryKD]

Hi Bill,
Try the following suggestions:
1. Tap the automatic slide locks with a broom handle or equivalent. Actually, give them a good whack.

2. If you have an emergency starting battery, connect the battery directly to the slide motor. You'll know immediately you connect it the wrong way. Just reverse the leads and the slide will go in. You can then have the dealer make the correct fix.

If after the computer lady speaks, the wall light blinks, chances of the problem being the auto locks is very high.

[Bill M]

GaryKD:

Thanks for the reply, will certainly try that approach tomorow. Long time believer in turning stuff off and on and giving it a wack.

Here's some observations on the LEDs on the controller board. On the controller for a "good slide", I notice of the three LEDs, the center one lights when the lady speaks, then goes out and the top and bottom LEDs light up while the slide moves.

On the slide that's stuck, the center LED stays dark and the top and bottom LED lights illuminate when the lady speaks (as soon as the button is pressed). I'm not sure what that means. Any guesses?

["007"]

You may have this controller or this one, make sure all plugs are seated and locked and at fuse locations, 12v fuse panel, wires are tight under screw. May pull fuse and reseat in slots in case of dirt or oxidation.

Have added slide controllers in Quick Tips.

[Bill M]

GaryKD and 007:

Thanks for the replys. I have the Combination Slide Out Controler w/voice.

I gave the lock arms a few good wacks, both when pushing the button and not pushing the button. Nothing.

Now when the button is pushed, I hear a motor sound, just no movement. Should I still try to put 12v directly to the motor anyway? I was told to take off the panel covering the motor, which on my rig is over the drive wheels. Very tight and awkward to get to. When I get it exposed, do I use jumper cables or what?

Also I hear conversation about the proximity switches. Where are they located? Should I give them a look? Or a wack!

Thanks again for the responses so far.

["007"]

With

With someone operating the switch you go outside and find motor and look for gear wheels and shaft that the motor turns, If no turning of shaft you may have a shear pin broken or a locking screw in shaft slot not engaged.
Your shaft and gears will run inside all compartments under your slide length.
If you can hear the motor everything in control curcuits must be working
How big is this slide not a full wall slide is it?

[Bill M]

007:

Yup, that's what the shaft looks like. The slide is the door side bedroom slide. Not full wall and just has the TV and drawers, etc. in it.

I'm going to try to remove the motor gear cover and verify the motor runs but gears and such are not moving.

Thanks, Bill

[GaryKD]

Hi Bill M,
007 is accurate. If the motor is turning but the shaft is not, there maybe a key that has been broken. Really look closely at the motor and shaft.
1. First determine if the motor is running. If yes, then:
2. The shafts coming out of the motor, right at the motor, do they turn?
if yes,
3. Look down the shaft. There should be a large "clutch/collet" on the shaft. Are the shafts on both sides of the clutch/collet turning. This is a mechanism to prevent breaking something if there is a bind in the slide. The clutch/collet will slip.

The proximity switches are in the auto locks,,,,sometimes. Sometimes they are under the slide.

Is there a light on the wall above the button you push to activate the slide? If so, does this light stay on or does it blink?

If the motor is not turning, check to see if there is voltage to the motor. If there is no voltage, then you can use an emergency starting battery to move the slide in. Depending on the wire connections, you may need to cut the motor wires (leaving plenty of wire on each side of the cut). Strip the insulation off the motor side wires. Connect the emergency starting battery's alligator clips to each motor wire. You will know immediately if you have connected them backwards (the slide will try to extend further). Just revere the wires. The slide will close. I've done this many times.
Please let us know what you find.

[Bill M]

<P>Shaft under slide.pdf</P>

GaryKD:

Above is a view of the shaft.
The collar on the left of the photo moves and nothing else moves.

I spoke with Jeff at Newmar today and he believes I can force the slide back in with 4 or 5 guys. So with the holiday weekend comming up the steaks are on me. Come over to NJ and lend a push.

["007"]

Now thats some heavy shaft. If that collar on shaft to cog wheel doesn't have a screw pin into that shaft wonder how it grips the smaller shaft???
Only Newmar would know, wouldn't think it would be a weld.

[GaryKD]

Hi Bill M,
Thanks for the update and picture. On the right side of the collar, is there a nut that a wrench can be put on? I can not tell from the picture. Newmar changes the vendor they use for these collars more frequently than would seem necessary. Your collar is not the same as mine. If there is a nut on the side that is not moving, it, most likely, takes a 1 1/2" wrench. The only wrench I know that is heavy duty enough is a "crows foot" opened end style. Yours is the first one I have heard of that has worked loose or is broken. Most of the time I spend an afternoon trying to get the collar loose. The tapers inside the collar are designed to slip if there is a bind. This is what prevents the motor from destroying itself or other components. You can try to tighten it. A mobile service tech should be able to handle the repair.

[Bill M]

UPDATE:
Spoke with Newmar again, sent them a photo, etc. Got a conference call together with Mr. Miller in their shop and my local mechanic. Some kind of disconect between motor and shaft. Could be a pin or shaft is broken.

They still say it should be able to be pushed in. Had local mechanic try with three of his big guys. No go. Saturday, I mention this problem while setting up for a church festival. Everyone decides to help. Now we have six guys pushing, four outside and two in to help it up the ramp. No luck.

Another man shows up, now five outside and two in. And it started to move and finally went in. Hurrah!!

Now I can drive it to the dealer and get it fixed for good.

Thanks everyone for your replys and advice. Wanted you to know my happy ending.

Bill

["007"]

We'll be happy when the motor takes care of it for you. 7 guys you will need church supper every time you camp.
Give us a follow up thanks Bill, lots of people have a problem with this bedroom slide, not tracking correctly or uneven against wall when open or closed.