Awning will not come out to play

[work2play]

We have an A&E one step power awning w/o wind sensor and it will not come out. I have tried from both the switch near the door and from the control panel in the storage compartment. When pushing on either buttons to extend or retract I can hear relays clicking in the control module. I have checked both the 10 amp fuse in the control module and the fuse for the awning in the bathroom and both were OK. I have also pulled the cover off the motor and tested to see if there was any power going to the motor and there was not. So this seems to be more of a power issue then a motor problem.

Does anyone have a wire schematic for these awnings?

I know there is some sort of lockout relay so the awning cannot be opened when the key is on, I suspect this may be the problem but I have no idea where it is or if it simply built into the control module.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Work2play
2003 34 FDDS

[wa8yxm]

There are several issues here. And I'll try to cover a few of them

First: If the wind sensor is the "Lighthouse" type (It is a small thing that sticks up from the roof) they are a known issue.. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS YOUR PROBLEM (I will say way) but if you have that type, Or even if you don't, on the left (As you face it) side of the control box inside the coach should be a toggle switch, TURN IT OFF,

Now: Since you hear relays or more likely the brake release clicking

My guess is the motor is burned out. I'd recommend calling a service tech, one hour to replace.. you might have them check the controller as well.. Reason and logic.

A couple years ago there was a high wind advisory where I was parked, I hit the switch and rolled mine in.. 2 sites over he hit his switch.. NOTHING.

So I went over, had to bring my owner's manual bag cause guess what they forgot (The override cable) and we tried everything.. Like you we could hear the brake release but no joy moving it.. Came to the conclusion above and did the "last ditch" manual roll up procedure (Which by the way does cause damage,, Just so you know) Put in a call to Rachal Nordstrum (Nordstrum's mobile RV service) who came out the next day and did everythind I'd done With the same results (After un-doing the damage the manual roll up did) What can I say about Rachel, She knows her stuff and thinks like I do .

Then she went to remove the motor, I told her I wanted to watch as I'd never seen it done.. She replied "Me neither" then "But how hard can it be, It's Mechanical" (Like I said we think alike)

She confirmed it was toast, and replaced it under warranty.. Then had to replace that one as well since the problem was the controller.

THERE ARE NO LIMIT SWITCHES on anything A&E, Dometic, power Gear or Kwikee makes, I see folks yammering about lmiit switches from time to time but they do not use them.

What they use is a current sensor in the control, when it senses the increase in current that goes with the motor stalling, it shuts off.. or at least it's supposed to.

His ... Did not.

So have them check the controller when they check the motor.

[work2play]

Thanks for the reply, but I don't think it is the motor because as I mentioned before I pulled the cover to the motor, removed the connections to the motor and check with a Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) and had 0 volts when pressing either switch either way.

I could be mistaken on the model name, but I will verify the exact model name this weekend when I pull it out of storage. I also know for a fact that we do not have a wind sensor so that cannot be the problem.

[DrDaveCA]

If you do not have a wind sensor attached check to be sure the controller has not inadvertently been placed in sensor mode. There is a toggle switch on the side of the controller to enable or disable the the sensor. If that is in the disable mode replace the controller.

[work2play]

Problem solved.

I opened the awning by directly connecting the awning motor to a 9.6V makita battery.

After the awning was open I found that the wire going to the motor was pinched severely in the articulating arms.

I repaired the wire and all is good.

thx,
Work2play