Community Forums

JMonroe · 05-21-2022, 08:44 AM

Closing up a couple days ago, 2011 Journy 34y, and full wall slide would not retract. Powergear/Lippert. Control pad was flashind "5". Pulled out the manuals to look up fault codes and this translated to "major", "problem with connections, sensors or motor". Manual also told me how to clear the code, remove the control panel and hit the reset button. I did so and I was able to retract the slide.

I'm looking to prevent a recurance. I doubt the motor is bad as after the reset the slide came in fully and at normal speed. Someone told me the position sensor is part of the motor? I'm thinking the first place to start is checking electrical connections but I'm not sure where to look. Anyone with experience or knowledge that can give me some direction?

Bobby Dowdle · 05-21-2022, 09:02 AM

I would think a possible power issue. Those slide rooms needs to be above 13 volts to work. When you start the coach, put it in high idle and let it idle for about 30 seconds. This will allow time for the alternator to engage and charge the batteries above 13 volts. If you cleared it and it hadn’t come back, is what makes me think it’s voltage related. It could be a sensor but that would keep occurring.

onebrit · 05-22-2022, 04:40 PM

Hi
Just a thought if you reset and had no further problem, I would think connections are good. When you tried your slide again had you relevelled your coach, only I have on odd occasion had my slide judder or fail to close found that my coach wasn't quite level causing a twist in the chassis. once relevelled all worked just fine. If its's working fine now and you know that you can reset it, I wouldn't assume you have a major problem at this point. If it's a recurring problem after several tries, then obviously further investigation needs to be done.
Good Luck
Onebrit.

JMonroe · 05-22-2022, 07:11 PM

I pull the slides in with the coach still plugged into shore power, then retract jacks, then start the coach. I don't unplug until the coach is running. With only four batteries, two coach, two house, I want max power available for slide retraction and start.

Hpozzuoli · 05-22-2022, 07:19 PM

I bet the power cable that goes to your battery is loose. I had a Winnebago and every time the thing got an error the power cable loosened up.

Wild Card · 05-22-2022, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe

I pull the slides in with the coach still plugged into shore power, then retract jacks, then start the coach. I don't unplug until the coach is running. With only four batteries, two coach, two house, I want max power available for slide retraction and start.

Do your slides and jacks work off house or chassis Batts? If chassisyour not getting max power without the engine running and alternator charging the chassis batts.

onebrit · 05-23-2022, 06:14 PM

Hi again you are all right and JMonroe has obviously been operating with max power although if you still have a problem good Idea to do a voltage check just to be sure all is good. As I had mentioned it may be worth rechecking your coach for level that can screw things up more so with a large slide as it requires a lot more power when out of level.
Good luck hope you figure it out and can just focus on enjoying RVing.
Onebrit

Odie48 · 05-31-2022, 07:40 PM

I have a 2010 adventurer 35.5 ft, and I believe I had the same problem. I read the manual, pushed the reset button, checked my levels, and it worked fine. That was four years ago and I’m happy to say; no problem since. Good luck.

jerichorick · 05-31-2022, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe

Closing up a couple days ago, 2011 Journy 34y, and full wall slide would not retract. Powergear/Lippert. Control pad was flashind "5". Pulled out the manuals to look up fault codes and this translated to "major", "problem with connections, sensors or motor". Manual also told me how to clear the code, remove the control panel and hit the reset button. I did so and I was able to retract the slide.

I'm looking to prevent a recurance. I doubt the motor is bad as after the reset the slide came in fully and at normal speed. Someone told me the position sensor is part of the motor? I'm thinking the first place to start is checking electrical connections but I'm not sure where to look. Anyone with experience or knowledge that can give me some direction?

I have the same system as you and the same problem from time to time. Many of the answers above are correct. To lessen the strain on the motor open a window. It is surprising how much pressure the air compressing or expanding places on the slide as it moves.
You might check you slide locks. The contacts can become misaligned or the motor shaft follower is not working correctly. Align and lube as needed.
I spray CRC Power Lube with PTFE on the slide pinion and rack a couple time a year. This helps allot after long periods of sitting.

Skip Y · 06-03-2022, 09:10 AM

Ditto above. WBGO strongly suggests you open at least one window and run the engine while operating a large slide. It's amazing how much air is compressed while closing the slide, and running the engine helps maintain adequate voltage.

JMonroe · 06-04-2022, 05:21 PM

All responses are appreciated.

I always have one of the roof vents open plus, the slide made no "effort" to move until after I reset the control panel then it worked normally.

Where do I access the slide lock contact points mentioned?

I presume access to the motors and slide rails is from under an open slide? Is there anything I'll need to remove?

jerichorick · 06-05-2022, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe

All responses are appreciated.

I always have one of the roof vents open plus, the slide made no "effort" to move until after I reset the control panel then it worked normally.

Where do I access the slide lock contact points mentioned?

I presume access to the motors and slide rails is from under an open slide? Is there anything I'll need to remove?

My long slide has been giving me fits the past few times. I have do the very same reset you are using. My coach is a Winnebago product so what follows may not be the same in your coach.

In the cabinets over head on the slide I have a black plastic box hanging down. Remove the screws to remove the cover. Here is where the locking mechanism is mounted. The motor as a worm screw shaft and the follower drives a locking paddle from a basket mounted in the slide roof.
If you have a locking switch control you will have something like this on your slide.
Lippert, who now owns PowerGear, has a ton of documentation. The trick is to find the right document for your slide.
Good luck.

TXiceman · 06-05-2022, 08:03 AM

I believe Winnebago stopped using the Schwintec system due to too many problems, especially with the larger rooms.

An engineer decided to fix the problem and redesigned a replacement system that is much heavier duty.
Look at https://vroomslidesystems.com/

jerichorick · 06-06-2022, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

I believe Winnebago stopped using the Schwintec system due to too many problems, especially with the larger rooms.

An engineer decided to fix the problem and redesigned a replacement system that is much heavier duty.
Look at https://vroomslidesystems.com/

My PowerGear is not the same concept as the Schwintec. My racks are under the slide and I have 2 synced motors. But the controls are similar.
The Schwintec system was a real bad idea in design. The PowerGear could have a little more beef in the room mounting hardware.