Accu Slide Cable slide out motor problem

[parkersk54]

Our 2017 3731FL has a BAL Accu slide cable slide out in bedroom. The slide operates intermittently when moving into the out position. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Never has a problem when moving into the in position. We have changed out the motor thinking the motor was bad, but are still having the same problem. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jsb5717]

Sounds like it could be a loose wire or faulty switch. I'd check all of the connections.

 

[R time soon]

The cables of an accu slide mechanism can get bound up behind the pulleys and fray the cables. Movement in one direction might become very difficult. Need to remove the covers on the sides and look at pulleys and cables closely for their routing.

 

[ChuckS]

Link to Norco Bal Accuslides - Manuals, troubleshooting videos, etc... great source for those with the older Bal Accu Slides or the newest Exact Fit G5.5 slides

https://balrvproducts.com/downloads/

 

[parkersk54]

Thanks everyone for your replies. We have ruled out wiring issues and cable issues. Inspected all those things and don’t see anything that raises concerns. We changed out the motor yesterday but not the gearbox. We have a gearbox ordered and will try that next. Fingers crossed!

 

[DutchmenSport]

On one of my slides the gear box broke, but it took me a little time to figure out if it was really the gear box or not. I went out on a limb and was able to get another one. Replaced it, and it's been working fine ever since. In my case, the slide came in and then wouldn't go out at all. I was glad the thing died in the "in" position. However, we were getting ready to travel the day it happened. So, we spent several days on the road with a slide we could not open. Once we get settled in the park we were staying, it was just a fluke, but I ran into a mobile tech. He was nice enough to look at my slide (no charge) and confirmed it was the gear box.

I picked up a new gear box and actually had him come out and fix it for me. He was great and didn't charge much. He had it swapped out in about 15 minutes. I would have fiddled with it for an entire day, had I done it myself.

All worked out well. Finding the gear box was the challenge, because shipping over the internet would require we stay put longer, which we were running out of time, so internet purchase was OUT! Finding a dealership that had the same one was the challenge. My wife and I ended up driving about a hundred miles one way to a dealership that had one (that wasn't committed for someone else), and we made the trip. I thought it was rather costly, but I was over-the-barrel and needed it, so paid the price.

Fortunate, the mobile tech was gracious. He did not make any money on that deal. But I sure appreciated his expertise!

 

[madeforeachother]

We have the same model but a 2016 FL and have replaced the motor and gearboxes on all three cable Bal systems and both cables on the front of the wardrobe slide. Had the same problem with occasionally slide stop and go. Got in touch with Norco and they sent me three new motor/gearbox units. The new gearboxes had a grease zirk fitting installed on them. I have done all the repairs myself and have ordered and stored in the trailer a spare motor/gearbox, two spare cables, and the crimping tool needed to replace cables. It would be wise for you to do the same as they always break when you’re in a bad spot. Amazon has the parts.

 

[parkersk54]

Thanks again for all the replies. We replaced the gearbox and slide seems to be working now, although there still seems to be some hesitation to get the out cycle started (intermittently). Good suggestion on carrying spare parts. We definitely will do that. Hopefully we won’t have to go through this type of maintenance again anytime soon.

 

[3791RD]

Replaced all 3 of mine numerous times, actually carry a spare motor & gearbox assembly with me all the time. The gears in the gearbox are plastic, which is usually the problem. Saw someone offered metal replacement gears but could never find online.

 

[Fox Farm]

We have a 2015 3440RL. We have had a problem with our bedroom slide out too. Our cables were adjusted too tight and it pulled the motor right off the wall. We had a steel plate put in and hooked up the motor again. The cables that ran the gear box were tightened way to tight. Bob is an old farmer and he told the people that did the check up on the camper that they were too tight but said they were fine. Well they weren't. The cables have now been adjusted to what they should be.

 

[Mikelff]

I have BAL slides on my 2018 High Country. Other than having to replace a few cables I haven’t had any issues with the motors or gear boxes, knock on wood. I learned that the cables need to be straight with no bends or kinks when extending or retracting. I had to re-position a couple brackets because one was too low, the other too high. Was actually an easy fix. This is the most common reason for fraying cables. You do need to check cable tension periodically, especially new cables as they do stretch over time. BAL told me there should be a very small amount of slack on the cables when fully extended or retracted. Not more than 1/2 inch.

 

[jsb5717]

...BAL told me there should be a very small amount of slack on the cables when fully extended or retracted. Not more than 1/2 inch.

^^^ This. There is a small window of "just right" between too loose and too tight. This does require keeping an eye on it and working to keep the tensions in the sweet spot.

We had a gear box fail early on because, IMO, the cables were just too tight.

With proper alignment and proper tension these systems can function pretty well for a long time. Just gotta stay on it. Definitely not my favorite slide system, but it's what I've got.

 

[twindman]

I have heard enough nightmares about these slides. Makes me thankful that I have good old hydraulic slides!

 

[RMcNeal]

I wish all mine were hydraulic. I have 2 hydraulic and 3 Schwintek.