Slide outs not retracting

[Dave Parks]

Front 2 slide outs would not retract.  After several hours of waiting for mobile mechanic, tried to retract and both did retract.  Seems strange that both would not retract, and then both would retract.  I would have thought that both would work independently of each other? No problem in extending.  Both 2 front slide outs are hydraulic. Any suggestions?

2006 Beaver Monterey

Dave

[Jerry Emert]

Every time that has happened to me, I scratch my head for awhile and discover that I forgot to turn the ignition off after bringing it up to travel height.  I do that at least once a month or so.  I guess I'm a slow learner.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Dave,
The pump is common to both slides as is the 12V feeding both switches and the pump ground.
Steve

[Gerald Farris]

Dave,
Jerry is correct in his response in that in 95% of the circumstances that you described, the ignition switch was left on. However, if both front slides are hydraulic, there are a few components that they will both have in common. If the pump solenoid, the pump motor, or numerous connections have an intermittent issue, it will effect both front slides equally. To properly diagnose the issue, you will need to duplicate the problem and trace the circuit when the slides are inoperative. If you are certain that the switch was off and you want to try a correction without duplicating the problem, the only thing that is economically reasonable to do is replace the pump solenoid and/or clean and tighten the solenoid and pump motor connections. 

Gerald

[Dave Parks]

Been caught before with the ignition switch - I'm sure it was off.  On the retract, it pulled in about 2 inches and quit.  Pump vibration noise was very slow and stopped.  After several hours tried retract and did work.  Is there a manual crank for retract or a work around?

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Dave,
There should be a manual retract procedure documented in your coach owners manual. If you don't have one let me know and I'll get you the one out of my 07 manual.
Steve

[Bruce Sieloff]

We had a similar situation with balky slides that turned out to be the connections to the pump solenoid frayed out and barely connecting. The solenoid on our coach is located on top of the pump in our coach. Trying to remove the old lug from the terminal resulted in a broken terminal because the terminal had a jam nut (double nuts) that I could not feel during removal. The solenoid is a common electrical part that does NOT require a special order from BCS and costs about $35 at your RV electrical supply house. I suggest a mirror to assess the situation before cranking on the nuts.

[Dave Parks]

Problem was a bad relay.

[Jerry Emert]

Problem was a bad relay.

Thanks for follow up.  What relay was it and where was it located.  Just in case my intermittent problems are related to the same issue.
Thanks