Troubleshooting A Slide Out System That's Not Retracting Properly

Published 11/15/2024

Question:

How do you determine if the control module is not working properly. My situation is that the bedroom slide works fine when extending, but intermittently when retracting? Motor checks out fine with power directly to the red and black leads on 12volts, so it appears to be either the control module or a bad wire between it and the motor?

asked by: Edward C

Expert Reply:

Hey Edward,

In order to determine what troubleshooting steps you'll need to take I'll need to know exactly which system you have. Can you take a picture of the control module and send it to me? Do you have an in-wall slide out or through-frame to where you can see the motor, arms, and gear pack from below the slide out? If so now would be a good time to check the teeth on the arms and gear pack to see if they could be worn and skipping instead of catching and pulling the slide back in.

You could also check the wiring from the switch with a multimeter to see if the retract side of the switch has worn contacts causing the issue. If you get full 12v power coming from the switch to the control module the entire time you're holding retract then we know the switch is fine.

Let me know what system you have an I can get a bit more specific with the troubleshooting steps.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Edward C.

11/15/2024

Kevin, I have the exact control module that you have listed here. LC27WJ. My bedroom slide is installed under the bed frame and not easily accessible but I have been able to disconnect the motor and determine that the motor will work in both directions by connecting 12volts directly to the wires on the motor. The problem is intermittent as it will extend but it occasionally does not retract. The motorhome is a 2023 Holiday Rambler Vacationer that has only been used a handful of times so wear and tear should not be an issue. Thanks, Ed

Kevin C.

11/15/2024

@EdwardC You've confirmed that the motor is fine but the switch contacts could still be an issue so I would test the voltage while retracting and also make sure that the wiring for the switch is making full contact with the terminals on the back of the switch. A lot of the time the wire gets caught on something and comes loose from the terminal while the installer is mounting the switch to the wall. To test the controller you'll want to complete the following steps: 1. Physically unplug shore power. 2. Remove solar cable/fuse from house battery. 3. Turn off generator. 4. Have engine OFF, key in the ON position if necessary for operation. 5. We need the coach operating on battery power only. No outside charging sources, they will throw off every reading taken. 6. Go to slide controller, probing power/ground pins on the controller. Have someone operate the switch. Record voltages here. 7. Staying grounded on incoming ground to the controller, probe the positive lead to the Switch IN & Switch OUT pins on the controller. Operate the switch in the respective direction. Record both voltages here. If you're getting power in and out the controller isn't the issue and we'll need to keep searching for the cause.