Community Forums

ColoradoBnd · 06-25-2020, 12:48 PM

On my drivers side bedroom slide I have had some issues for some time. I replaced all the slide lock sensors. What a pain. But I have intermittently had the slide locks lock when the slide was in the extended position. When I went to retract, they closed and the slide slid. Today they retracted and the slide will not engage. I am getting a noise from one of the back locks so the first thing I am going to do is inspect the proximity switches. I do have a spare controller if needed. Any other ideas? I've always been puzzled by the lock extension when open, but Newmar didn't help much. I'm hoping someone else has solved the problem.

"007" · 06-25-2020, 06:02 PM

With your slides extended when open and lock lever operated while outside the Actuators can be rained on and the moisture will cause rust on the contacts of the Actuator. The seal will also be open allowing more water in than when the lock arm is folded down as it should have been.
You said I believe you may have worked on the Actuators replaced or cleaned.
Tapping the box or the area around the lock gently will release rust so slide may come in. This thread explains the Actuator by a member who had problems with his kitchen slide. Some people have cleaned the Actuator but most replaced them.
Newmar upgrade the rubber seals some years back for the water problem.

ColoradoBnd · 06-26-2020, 07:04 AM

Thanks 007. My actuator is really clean. No rust anywhere I can see except one pivot arm. In this case even though the slide locks were extended in the out position, the actuators did work and close. These are all original proximity sensors, so I am going to just change them and eliminate that as a cause, although I didn't see issues when is took cover plates off and inspected the internals.

The problem I had was that the slide did not move inward. If the proximity sensors doesn't fix the problem then I will move on to change the controller. I was looking to see if anyone had seen the failure mode of the locks extending when the slide was out. That is strange.

ColoradoBnd · 06-26-2020, 08:10 AM

007 - do you have a link to your thread on how to adjust proximity switch screws? I cannot find it anywhere.

"007" · 06-27-2020, 04:41 PM

The sensors are a question in my mind do you have a picture of where they are?
If the Actuators have a problem the slides will not move, if you looked at this link of Charlies may have some answers for you only proximity switch I am aware of was on a kitchen slide not on the other slides.

ColoradoBnd · 06-28-2020, 07:26 AM

Thanks. I was able to change both proximity sensors yesterday on the slide. It's not a simple task (small area, big hands) with the screw position and having to bend the screws to make contact. The brass screws most always break and you have to drill them out. I now have stainless steel cap screws. You would think that there is a better design for sure. The only tip I would give to others doing this is to use the mounting clay to get an impression of the position of the screw and then go inside the coach and check for continuity. If there is continuity, the proximity sensor is made up correctly. So far on my coach, this has been the ONLY thing preventing the slides from moving on the coach. I have also seen lock arms bind before in my projects. Lubrication seems to resolve this issue. I wonder if there is a way to put a little more pressure on them at the controller? I will look into this today.