Forum Discussion

Jim's avatar
Jim
Explorer
Mar 05, 2018

Slide self retracting....

I've seen this happen previously with my slides but it's rare...my bedroom slide, the slide on the drivers side that carries the closet, will occasionally retract itself. The LR slide will also do that but it's even rarer. I've discovered it after it has retracting 1/2" to up to 5". It always goes right back out where it belongs when I press the extend switch.

Today, I found it had retracted about 4". Nothing weird going on, no strange noises from the slide or system, the jacks didn't move so the RV is still level, the LR slide didn't retract any. Moderate type winds coming 90 degree angle from the slide but I've not known wind to do that before that I recall.

It's a HWH hydraulic system that also operates the jacks. No leaks that I can detect. Details of the RV in signature.

Any ideas?
Class A
  • MountainAir05's avatar
    MountainAir05
    Explorer II
    Mar 05, 2018
    if you control valve solenoids is leaking I can see it doing that. This is why I say that. My slide HWH system was stuck one time and I was having a hard time to get to the bolt to unlock from shaft. Someone show me how to release the pressure on the system and we just push it in.
  • smlranger's avatar
    smlranger
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2018
    Suspect leaking retract solenoid. HWH sells rebuilt solenoids and R&R on your coach is pretty easy.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Mar 05, 2018
    With no external leaks, one of the 2 slide solenoids is leaking internally. Under warranty, HWH replaces both the Extend and Retract. You can also manually open both solenoids and run the pump for about 15 to 20 seconds. Sometimes debris gets stuck in the needle valve and doing this flushes it out. Doug

    PS, NOTHING external can move a HWH slide when it is extended or retracted.
  • GHOST1750's avatar
    GHOST1750
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2018
    Did you ever suspect your motor home may be haunted ? Sorry, couldn't resist.
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2018
    Ghosts?? Why yes, I have thought that. Not very long, mind you, but I thought of it.

    OK, so everyone thinks it's a leaky valve, or at least a valve with debris in it. Perhaps debris would explain it's intermittent retraction qualities better than assuming an actual failure of a component.

    Now I'd like to ask for some advice. Anyone have a link to a description of how you remove these parts?

    Will oil spray out under pressure when I remove a valve or does that only happen when the pump motor is running? Should I drain the tank? I have a small car's oil drain pan I can put below the manifold, but is that enough? Should I get a huge pan?
  • Weldon's avatar
    Weldon
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2018
    I had a similar situation and it turned out to be a leaking hose for one slide. This was a hose from the pump to the front slide. Unfortunately was not long til I had to replace both lines going to the rear slide which was 23' in length.
    Was a expensive repair.
    Perhaps Doug's suggestions will work for you.
  • AlaskaShooter's avatar
    AlaskaShooter
    Explorer
    Mar 08, 2018
    Can the solenoids leak back into the system allowing the slide to retract and not actually be leaking outside the system?
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Mar 08, 2018
    AlaskaShooter wrote:
    Can the solenoids leak back into the system allowing the slide to retract and not actually be leaking outside the system?


    Yes, that is what I told him in my first post. Doug

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