Ghost in the bedroom ( slide coming out on its own )

[Paul Bedoe]

I am just back from a long trip on my new to me Patriot Thunder 2005 while on the trip while driving I noticed the bedroom slide drivers side was out about 6 inches.  I pulled over brought it in and considered it case closed.  I decided to wash it this morning and wanted the slides in.  So I started it put it in travel mode shut it off and brought in all the slides  I finished washing the passenger side and walk around and the bedroom slide was fully out.  Anyone experience this ?

[Paul Bedoe]

  Correction the  slide was 1/2 way out not fully out.  I just brought it in and it slowly creeps out 6 to 12 inches

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Paul,
I'm fairly confident your bedroom slides are electric. If so I'd suspect a faulty motor brake. It is located on the end of the motor and is there to prevent the slide from moving when the motor is not energized.  It is supposed to "release" when 12v+ is applied to it and brake the motor when no voltage is present.
Steve

[Fred Brooks]

    Paul,
On the HWH hydraulic pump housing are the solenoids that are activated for moving the slide-out rooms. The solenoid that activates to "close the bedroom slide" is leaking internally. This allows the pressure to bleed off that keeps it closed. To locate the correct solenoid (if you are so inclined) Extend the bed slide and then unplug the connector to each solenoid until you find the one that won't allow you to retract the room. Replace that solenoid and follow the instructions in our section called "coach assist". Hope this helps, Fred Brooks

[Paul Bedoe]

Bingo that’s what I was hoping to learn !  100 to 1 that’s it and it’s leaking a little more now.  Are the solenoids readily available or can I change the seal?  I just spent a few days changing all the rear shocks and two air bags.  Could you point me in the direction of the solenoids I am a bit sore and moving slowly today. Thanks again !

[Fred Brooks]

   Paul,  Where is the leak located? Fred

[Paul Bedoe]

I don’t recall seeing where the hydraulic pump and solenoids are located on my coach ....

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Paul, Fred,
Are you sure the bedroom slides are hydraulic? My reason for asking is that one of your circuit breakers is for the bedroom slides.
Steve

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Check page 211 of your Owner's Manual. First sentence states that bedroom slides are electric.
Steve

[Paul Bedoe]

I have a single hydraulic ram on the slide

[Paul Bedoe]

I found the pump and solenoids under the front step. After the grandkids soccer game I will go to my second home under the coach and isolate the solenoid.  Just read all retracting solenoids have a black and white wire so cut the diagnosis in half.

[Fred Brooks]

    Paul, Steve may be right. Lift the platform above the pedistal and see if you have a 12volt electric motor engaging a rack that moves the platform. Fred

[Joel Ashley]

With much respect to Fred, I have to support Steve’s analysis here.  The slide the bed is on in most of our three or four slideout rigs of the era is electric.  The hydraulic solenoids in the manifold pac are for the other slides.  #1 solenoid is streetside front, #2 is any other bedroom slide (commonly a small scissors mechanism), and solenoid #3 is curbside front;  i.e. in order counterclockwise around the coach. 

But your issue is likely the electric motor brake under the head of the bed, not any solenoid leakage.

Joel

[Fred Cook]

After the slide has retracted (electric slide) you should hear an audible click letting you know the 12 volt current has stopped and brake is applied.

[Scott Shearer]

Our owner’s manual also states that the bedroom slides are electric, but they are actually hydraulic. Some PTs of this era the bedroom slides are electric, some are hydraulic.

Paul has noted that his slide has a single a single hydraulic ram which seems to indicate that it is hydraulic.

The slide works, so a quick and easy way to determine the type is to have one person operate the slide and have another listen for the hydraulic pump. If the pump runs it hydraulic, if not it’s electric.

Paul, if you are going under the coach be very careful, the coach is suspended by the air springs and a sudden loss of air can be disastrous. Also, if you determine that the bed slide is hydraulic, carefully read the HWH instructions. Before removing the solenoid values, you need to release the pressure from both the extend and retract valves, this can allow the slide to move on its own. Be extra careful if you have the generator slide open to gain access to the pump/manifold, if you accidently release the valves for the generator slide it can retract and could crush you.