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Old 02-09-2018, 09:18 PM   #1
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Rear Engine Hatch

Went for a drive today to exercise everything, and, for the most part, all went better than expected: starting the coach, generator, heat pumps and AH all vey positive, and the coach drove great - especially considering a 14 MPH crosswind.

Pulled into a rest area to do a walk around - tires looked fine, held my breath and looked under the rear, and zero signs of leaks.

Tried to raise the rear hatch, and whoops, the driver's side was stuck closed. I pushed and pulled, hit "open" and "close" a number of times, but only the passenger side moved - the driver's side wouldn't budge.

I called Entegra, but they were closed 'till Monday, due to a snowstorm.

I tried a search, but couldn't find if anyone else has run into this issue? Thanks,

BG
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Old 02-09-2018, 10:37 PM   #2
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One of your actuators has failed. Entegra can send you replacements for you to swap out or your dealer can swap for you. I replaced mine in my ‘17 about a week ago. They are experiencing a high failure rate on those so they switched to a different actuator.
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Old 02-09-2018, 10:40 PM   #3
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Here is another thread on topic:
How to open a dead motorized engine cover
http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364745
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Old 02-10-2018, 06:17 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobG88 View Post
Went for a drive today to exercise everything, and, for the most part, all went better than expected: starting the coach, generator, heat pumps and AH all vey positive, and the coach drove great - especially considering a 14 MPH crosswind.



Pulled into a rest area to do a walk around - tires looked fine, held my breath and looked under the rear, and zero signs of leaks.



Tried to raise the rear hatch, and whoops, the driver's side was stuck closed. I pushed and pulled, hit "open" and "close" a number of times, but only the passenger side moved - the driver's side wouldn't budge.



I called Entegra, but they were closed 'till Monday, due to a snowstorm.



I tried a search, but couldn't find if anyone else has run into this issue? Thanks,



BG


Yes this just happened to me. One of the motors failed throwing the entire system out of sync. Happened to us in Phoenix on the way to Nashville. Fortunately one of the first things I did when we took delivery is remove the bolts and add quick disconnect pins to the actuator/control arms. This allowed me to move the hatch with just one motor. I zip tied the failed side down for travel and we pressed on.

What I would like to do is find a motor that actually works and has some reliability to move this hatch. I would like to make it to where only one motor is used instead of two. Either that or make the whole thing manual which is what I would have preferred in the first place. LOL. I mean it looks cool when you are standing there in the sales lot, but when you have to fall down on your face before the great hatch Gods and say a prayer before pushing the button? Uuuhhhh..... No thanks.

When we get to a stopping point in our travels for awhile this will be addressed
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Old 02-10-2018, 07:50 AM   #5
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I wonder what was wrong with the manual system used up until 2016?

Mine has never failed to open.

Sometimes I think Pat Carroll and his design group installs things because they appear really cool when they do not enhance the overall RV and would be better utilized buying higher reliability parts.
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Old 02-10-2018, 07:51 AM   #6
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Thanks for the info. One of the techs at Elite Service (where we store), said he imagined it was likely an actuator.

Every time I read of a potential problem on this forum, I bookmark with a description in the title. I had a different link stored ("Engine Access Door"), so RanNan, I appreciate the link - I've already saved it.

Glad this forum doesn't shut down for snow days! Thanks,

BG
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Old 02-10-2018, 08:42 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hogdriver View Post
I wonder what was wrong with the manual system used up until 2016?

Mine has never failed to open.

Sometimes I think Pat Carroll and his design group installs things because they appear really cool when they do not enhance the overall RV and would be better utilized buying higher reliability parts.
Dave I have thought he same thing every time I read about the motorized engine doors. The manual is so much faster and trouble free, just a spray of silicone once a year to keep it smooth and that's it. I have had the same engine cover since 2002 with perfect working order every time.
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Old 02-10-2018, 08:52 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hogdriver View Post
I wonder what was wrong with the manual system used up until 2016?

Mine has never failed to open.

Sometimes I think Pat Carroll and his design group installs things because they appear really cool
when they do not enhance the overall RV and would be better utilized buying higher reliability parts.
Here’s my theory on features like this, and I’m pretty well convinced it is more than just a theory.

Let’s start with the realization that more than a few RV’s are purchased on impulse and emotion. People go to a show or visit a big dealership with lots of inventory (think Lazydays, Motorhome Specialist RV…). Maybe not even intending to buy anything; just want to look around and see what’s new.

Then something about a particular unit catches their eye. Could be anything – a televator TV, soft-closing kitchen drawers, a big shower with fancy tile, a spacious walk-in closet, electronic control panels (VegaTouch and the like), you name it. Now they’re intrigued. From there, every bell & whistle that has a “wow factor” associated with it helps the sales person seal the deal.

“You folks think that walk-in closet is great? Let me show you this cool televator TV! And look at the size of this shower! Now let’s go outside. Check this out – you don’t even have to open your own basement storage slide trays – just push this button! And come back here to the engine hatch – no more struggling with a heavy door – just push this button and it opens right up!!”

All of those “wow factors” help sell RV’s. Whether they’re worth anything once you actually own the RV may be a different story. Our previous motorhomes had manual basement storage slide trays. Dead simple, quick & easy to use. Our Cornerstone has electric basement storage slide trays. Kinda cool I suppose, but I hate how long it takes for them to extend and retract. If there was a simple way to convert them to manual operation, I’d do it without hesitation. I feel the same way about an electric engine compartment hatch.

I could go on but I'm sure the point is obvious enough.
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Old 02-10-2018, 08:58 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hogdriver View Post
I wonder what was wrong with the manual system used up until 2016?

Mine has never failed to open.

Sometimes I think Pat Carroll and his design group installs things because they appear really cool when they do not enhance the overall RV and would be better utilized buying higher reliability parts.
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Old 02-10-2018, 09:02 AM   #10
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My manual shade haven't given me any problems at all either. The 4 electric shades on the windshield have all been replaced.
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Old 02-10-2018, 10:01 AM   #11
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For an old man with a bad back, I REALLY appreciate the power slideout trays and the power rear hatch, not to forget the air assist on the generator slide. JMHO
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Old 02-10-2018, 10:26 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by BobG88 View Post
Thanks for the info. One of the techs at Elite Service (where we store), said he imagined it was likely an actuator.

Every time I read of a potential problem on this forum, I bookmark with a description in the title. I had a different link stored ("Engine Access Door"), so RanNan, I appreciate the link - I've already saved it.

Glad this forum doesn't shut down for snow days! Thanks,

BG
Bob, there was a recall on the actuator motor connectors. The problem was male pin to male pin connection. How they missed that I don't know, but Entegra sent out a short pig tail with the correct male to female contacts. When you get the hatch open unplug the motor connector and if you see male pins on both ends that's your problem.
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Old 02-10-2018, 11:04 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by BobG88 View Post
Went for a drive today to exercise everything, and, for the most part, all went better than expected: starting the coach, generator, heat pumps and AH all vey positive, and the coach drove great - especially considering a 14 MPH crosswind.

Pulled into a rest area to do a walk around - tires looked fine, held my breath and looked under the rear, and zero signs of leaks.

Tried to raise the rear hatch, and whoops, the driver's side was stuck closed. I pushed and pulled, hit "open" and "close" a number of times, but only the passenger side moved - the driver's side wouldn't budge.

I called Entegra, but they were closed 'till Monday, due to a snowstorm.

I tried a search, but couldn't find if anyone else has run into this issue? Thanks,

BG
Best advice anyone could give you is to call Entegra CS and have them send you a complete setup. Ask for both actuators. But before you do that verify that you don’t have any bent arms. You may have bent one arm trying to open up the door with just one actuator. If bent makes sure you get another.

I went through two sets of actuators prior to the manufacturer adding seals to prevent water from getting in. Both motors had rusty water dripping out when I replaced them. The third set had seals, for the motors and arms, as well as pins for easy removal. Plus, they are wired correctly so that you don’t need those stupid pigtails. Don’t settle for only one. I didn’t when I was told of the changes and CS sent out a complete set.
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Old 02-10-2018, 11:27 AM   #14
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J.H.& Paul, thanks for the advice. [Hopefully, I didn't bend anything, as I didn't open the passenger side more than a few inches - at least it was easy to quickly tell something was wrong...] Thanks,

BG
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