Community Forums

Cormorant · 12-17-2021, 09:39 PM

Finally gave up waiting for the parts that are on back order and picked up the coach from the Spartan servicer who was doing the chassis recalls. I took it to my storage building to get it cleaned up. When I put the problem slide out it did not stay down at first but did stay down after about 6 tries. The next day I went back to my storage building for more cleaning, the slide was still down where it belonged, when I extended the full wall slide the drivers slide went up. They say I need a new hydraulic cylinder for the drivers side, what could be wrong with the hydraulic cylinder?

Chargersrt8 · 12-18-2021, 05:29 AM

Call Napannee and see if you can stop by on your travels south to get it looked at. Just got back and they are great.

hohenwald48 · 12-21-2021, 07:14 AM

I'm headed to Nappanee in May for warranty repairs on a motorhome I purchased in August 2018. Newmar is pretty good at doing what's right with persistent problems.

Don't confuse your dealer with Newmar. They are two different companies.

UMXHAULER · 12-21-2021, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I'm sure someone has looked at this, but I found an odd sensor last month when I was installing a water softener. I was in the power cord reel bay and there was one of those black plastic covers (used for slide motors and other items) screwed to the ceiling of the bay, close to the door opening. I had to remove the cover to route some hoses. To my surprise, I found a sensor, a metal probe about the size of my finger inside that box. It was pointed upward. Unfortunately, Newmar used self tapping metal screws to screw the probe and it's bracket into WOOD! It was still in place, but about to fall out.

I did my installation and then tried to relocate this probe where I thought it started out from the factory. I later asked my local Newmar tech what the probe was for. I thought it was some type of large temp sensor by the looks of it. It wasn't, he said it's a sensor that tells the motor when to stop when the FWS is in position. Apparently, if you continue to hold down the FWS switch, it will stop the pump.

So..........I'm still not sure what all it does, but could it be sensing the position of the slide and telling it to move.

On my FWS, the pump will stop automatically when extending but does not turn off when closing unless I release the switch. I'm assuming that my "in" sensor is hanging loose somewhere. Manual says it should turn off automatically in both directions. I just release it after a few seconds and assume I'm good. Getting back to the original poster, I would try and get a hold of someone at HWH since they are the supplier of the hydraulics for that system and get their input as to the problem. Many of the parts on this system are very easy to replace and can be done by someone of average skills-no dealer required. If HWH says its a bad cylinder, then I would call Newmar customer service and have them get HWH on the line and approve a claim for a new cylinder and have them send it out to you and you swap it out. They would want you to send back the bad cylinder of course and you will have to pay for the new one until you return the old one. I would not necessarily believe one dealer's claim that there is a national back order on this item-actually ask Newmar yourself. Sometimes you get lucky from another source. I have done most of my repairs this way, and way less frustrating than dealing with dealers and a lot easier than going to the factory. On another note, someone who says they had a New Aire and then they got a Dutch Star and now has no issues, I would take that with a grain of salt. They just got lucky on their DS-I have had many issues. Almost all coaches will have issues over their life given the same equipment. You are just lucky if it does not happen to you. Finally, just remember that most people who post on this forum are the ones who are or have had issues. The people who have few or no issues don't post. Just like the DEF problems. If you read this forum, you would think that every RV owner out there will be stranded by a DEF issue but that is just not the case. Good luck and hoping for a quick resolution.

Winger2 · 12-22-2021, 05:33 AM

Sometimes the repairs can be simple. Has anyone replaced the slide switch? Its possible the switch could be the problem.
As for what you should do, go to Nappanee to get it fixed and demand more then a 3 month extended warranty

New2road · 12-22-2021, 10:37 PM

I would make sure you repair attempt saga is capture in Newmar's warranty system. You can also ask the question about extending the warrantee period for this item, many have been successful getting factory to resolve post expiration for a lingering issue.
I would also recommend giving factory a chance to resolve. When we had our Newmar we lived in service availability wasteland, and would drive 700 miles to Nappanee to get things fixed correctly.

Clemson · 12-23-2021, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanJH

Yes-- they extended my coverage by the 3 months I requested as that was the time it was in the shop during my first 1/2 year of ownership. If you want, I can send you the emails that documented the request and their response stating they would extend the warranty.

The ONLY way Newmar will cover this after the first year is DOCUMENTED history of the issue and your receipts showing it at a Newmar dealer. Your coach needs to be taken to Nappanee to be fixed!!

weird · 12-23-2021, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Call Napannee and see if you can stop by on your travels south to get it looked at. Just got back and they are great.

I've had the opposite experience with Newmar factory service (well trying to get it at least). Called in October of 2021 to have a slide looked at. As of 12/23/21 have still not got an estimate. I'm told the estimator (they only have one) is on vacation. Was also told it was likely I would not get a service appointment until October of 2022 at this point since all the summer slots are allocated.

One year to get a service appointment. Great is not the word that comes to mind.

Dav L · 12-24-2021, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I'm sure someone has looked at this, but I found an odd sensor last month when I was installing a water softener. I was in the power cord reel bay and there was one of those black plastic covers (used for slide motors and other items) screwed to the ceiling of the bay, close to the door opening. I had to remove the cover to route some hoses. To my surprise, I found a sensor, a metal probe about the size of my finger inside that box. It was pointed upward. Unfortunately, Newmar used self tapping metal screws to screw the probe and it's bracket into WOOD! It was still in place, but about to fall out.

I did my installation and then tried to relocate this probe where I thought it started out from the factory. I later asked my local Newmar tech what the probe was for. I thought it was some type of large temp sensor by the looks of it. It wasn't, he said it's a sensor that tells the motor when to stop when the FWS is in position. Apparently, if you continue to hold down the FWS switch, it will stop the pump.

So..........I'm still not sure what all it does, but could it be sensing the position of the slide and telling it to move.

Based on your description, sounds like that is a pressure sensor that will open when the slide is fully extended. The hydraulic pressure will be X when the slide is moving. When it hits it's mechanical stop, the pressure increases to Y and the switch opens. That way the hydraulics won't continue pushing even though the slide is fully open. I am guessing the switch is inline with the hydraulic pump control so the pump auto shuts off when the slide is extended for that solenoid.

In the non hydraulic slides, there is a current sensor that detects the electric motor is stalled (amps increase) that shuts the power to the motor when the slide is extended and the motor stalls. Same function as the pressure switch.

Both types of systems would also detect if you were parked too close to a tree and opened the slide against the tree. The pressure would shut off on tree contact.

I assume there is also a sensor for the retraction side of the hydraulics that will shut off if something jambs the slide from fully retracting or if it IS fully retracted and hit it's closed stop.

Dav L · 12-24-2021, 09:15 AM

If the unit was brand new, possibility of air being in the hydraulics. Air being compressible so the slide could move. Cycling the slide in / out and ensuring the hydraulic tank is topped up to full line fixes that.

If the slide continues to cause creep issues, then the hydraulic control solenoid is probably internally leaking and should be replaced. Easy job.

This assumes there is no external fluid leakage anywhere.