Power awning dead, brand new - Ideas?

therink · 04-21-2013, 02:09 PM

The power awning on my brand new Keystone fiver is dead. It worked fine during the several times I extended and retracted it during the PDI which was 3 weeks ago. I went to extend it today while washing the rig and nothing. No motor noise, nothing. I pulled the switch out and checked the voltage. There is power to the switch and power past the switch when the switch is activated. This likely means that power is getting to the motor. I will take to dealer is necessary but want to make sure I'm not missing something obvious. Any ideas?
Thanks, Steve

SlowPoke · 04-21-2013, 03:16 PM

If you power going OUT to the motor, and motor is making no noise; sounds as if the motor has gone kaput for one reason or another.
I would also check the plug connection at the motor where it joins the awning. There should be a "quick connector" there. It may have gotten separated or have a bad connection.

I would have the dealer take a gander at, it if that is the case.
Not much more I can think of to check...if power is making it's way TO the motor as you've said.

therink · 04-21-2013, 03:46 PM

I have an appointment with the dealer on Tuesday for another issue so I plan on having them look at it. I have had bad experiences with this dealer service department in the past. I find it easier to diagnose my own problems (when I can) to avoid diagnosing and "warranty approval" delays.
I would like to check the wiring connection at the motor but the awning is retracted and the wiring is concealed behind the awning arm. Any suggestions?
Steve

SlowPoke · 04-21-2013, 03:58 PM

Someone else will beat me to the punch, but I'll go out and grab my manual to see if there is a manual way to expand the awning. On some I know there is a screw near the motor, that when removed will allow the awning to be manually expanded and retracted.
Will let you know if I find anything in my manual...

therink · 04-21-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPoke

Someone else will beat me to the punch, but I'll go out and grab my manual to see if there is a manual way to expand the awning. On some I know there is a screw near the motor, that when removed will allow the awning to be manually expanded and retracted.
Will let you know if I find anything in my manual...

Thanks. I should check my manual as well.

SlowPoke · 04-21-2013, 04:20 PM

Ok, yes, if yours (and I think it is) Dometic, there are two screws on the tube near the motor. Those must be removed, and you can use the strap that came with your awning to manually retract and expand it...here's the clip from my manual...

therink · 04-21-2013, 04:32 PM

Great. I will give that a try tomorrow. Thanks so much for looking it up.

SlowPoke · 04-21-2013, 04:42 PM

No problem, hope it helps!

Remember that when you pull that awning down, the tube is spring loaded!!! Don't just let go of that sucker... If you pull it all the way down to leave it open, you'll have to have someone hold it down while you reinsert the screws and tighten them down , otherwise it will not stay down on it's own. You should be able to pull it back just far enough to reach back and grab the connector behind the arm and check it out. Maybe you can stick something between the roller and sidewall to wedge it open temporarily .

therink · 04-21-2013, 04:48 PM

Great advice. Thanks.

yeabuddy · 04-21-2013, 05:12 PM

Saw this on another forum.

"Just received this notice from Dometic today at my dealership.
The recall is for the electric motor used on OEM awnings installed from the factory.

If your coach was produced between February 13, 2013, serial #305xxxxxx through April 9, 2013, serial #314xxxxxx and has a Dometic power awning, you may want to check with Dometic.
The issue is that the awning could deploy either standing still or while driving.

This recall may also apply if you had your awning motor replaced around the same time."

The part about deploying doesn't fit your description but thought I'd pass it along any way. Please keep us posted on your situation.

B&T · 04-21-2013, 05:23 PM

Oh joy! I just realized I have no manual and no strap for mine. Just emailed the dealer to see about getting that strap.

Thanks for the heads up guys

Next Morning Update:

Dealer called, sending me a strap in the mail. Painless

therink · 04-21-2013, 05:46 PM

I think mine was manu last year. My fiver rolled off the assembly line 10/12. I should be OK with recall
Thanks

SteveC7010 · 04-21-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B&T

Oh joy! I just realized I have no manual and no strap for mine. Just emailed the dealer to see about getting that strap.

Thanks for the heads up guys

Go to: http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas...ducts/awnings/ and select the model of your awning. You will find the operating instructions can be downloaded from that page.

therink · 04-21-2013, 06:18 PM

Minr came with a strap.I was wondering what it was for.

therink · 04-22-2013, 02:13 PM

I have diagnosed that power is getting past the rocker switch, but then goes to this black "awning controller" solid state switch inside the wall. Power does not go past it out to the awning motor. Does anyone know what this does and how it can go bad?

therink · 04-22-2013, 02:15 PM

By the way, I was able to remove the two allen screws on the roller end and pull the awning out enough to check the motor wiring. Fairly easy to do.

therink · 04-22-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B&T

Oh joy! I just realized I have no manual and no strap for mine. Just emailed the dealer to see about getting that strap.

Thanks for the heads up guys

Next Morning Update:

Dealer called, sending me a strap in the mail. Painless

I realized today that the strap does no good to manually open the awning if it wasn't put in the slot the last time it was open. Where it helps is when the awningis stuck open and you have to manually close it.
Btw it is fairly easy to remove the 2 Allen screws to manually operate it manually but the roller end has to be held in place by hand as it is being rolled up or unrolled. If not held in place the roller end will fall off and the spring will unwind.

Jay Pat · 04-22-2013, 03:32 PM

If it is a Dometic, you should be able to inspect plug at motor buy using a ladder and looking down in there.
If it is unplugged, probably, hard to reach in there......
Pat

therink · 04-22-2013, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Pat

If it is a Dometic, you should be able to inspect plug at motor buy using a ladder and looking down in there.
If it is unplugged, probably, hard to reach in there......
Pat

I got to the wiring by manually opening the awning. No power to the awning. Found a bad relay in the wall behind awning rocker switch behind main control panel.
Steve

SlowPoke · 04-22-2013, 05:03 PM

Good to hear ya got this far....

I looked at the part you pic'd.... It's where it switches polarity for the motor to tell the motor to go up and down by discerning either 12+ or 12-...How it works, I've never opened it to check, but if it;s a simple relay (doesn't look like any relay I've ever seen) but if it is, try giving it a good tap. Sometimes relays stick and a quick tap can unstick it. Otherwise it's just bad, and of course, the dealer will have to help you out by replacing it. Maybe just ask if they can order you one, and you replace it yourself, like my dealer is allowing me to do with some of my warranty stuff... like you, I don't have confidence in other's work as much as I have in my own....warranted or not

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