Community Forums

DataDaveB · 03-29-2020, 04:13 PM

The power awning on my 2017 Phaeton (purchased in Sept 2019) will not retract. The motor is functioning (gears are engaged). Does anyone know how to manually retract a power awning? Also, any idea on what the root cause may be for this issue?

Bob_C · 03-29-2020, 05:49 PM

What brand of awning?......Google it.....With my Dometic, have a manual crank in the outside stairwell......more than likely, the piece that the motor drives that turns the roller has rounded out to the motor shaft....

DataDaveB · 03-29-2020, 07:59 PM

It is a Carefree of Colorado. I was not able to find anything about manual retraction. I did see something about pushing on the covers, but the gas springs are difficult to overcome. I will try to see if Tiffin can help me out.
Thanks

**NLOVNIT** · 03-29-2020, 09:31 PM

Be prepared to leave a v-mail as several things have shut down in Red Bay & what is open has limited staff.

Lori-

**Lt Dan** · 03-30-2020, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DataDaveB

The power awning on my 2017 Phaeton (purchased in Sept 2019) will not retract. The motor is functioning (gears are engaged). Does anyone know how to manually retract a power awning? Also, any idea on what the root cause may be for this issue?

There is a plastic plug in the awning housing on the right (front) end. Remove the plug and use a square 3/8" hex key or ratchet to manually retract the awning. It will not work to extend the awning, only retract. Here is the owner's manual which may help.

DataDaveB · 03-30-2020, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

There is a plastic plug in the awning housing on the right (front) end. Remove the plug and use a square 3/8" hex key or ratchet to manually retract the awning. It will not work to extend the awning, only retract. Here is the owner's manual which may help.

Thanks, but I just noticed that I have dyslectic fingers, my Phaeton is a 2007, not 2017 - Sorry. It does not have a plug. Again thanks for the assistance.

lllkrob · 03-30-2020, 01:21 PM

Check the motor end cap for two silver "rivet" looking contacts in the end cap. You can apply 12v directly to the motor using these contacts bypassing all switches and controllers. If the awning does not respond then the motor is more than likely the problem.

If the motor is bad then get some helpers and manually roll the awning up and use plastic wire ties to secure the arms in the closed position until the motor can be replaced.

FlatsixV2 · 03-30-2020, 02:19 PM

Just a thought...

Mine would not work last fall. I decided to leave it till our winter trip down south and then work on it when it's warm and I need things to keep busy with.
So...I am cleaning out one of my storage bays and I noticed a black control box in the bay I was cleaning. It has designations of in and out of the switch. Upon further inspection, I noticed a switch on the side of the box labeled on / off. I flipped the switch to on and flipped the other switch to out and 'Viola'...I was in tall cotton!

DataDaveB · 03-30-2020, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllkrob

Check the motor end cap for two silver "rivet" looking contacts in the end cap. You can apply 12v directly to the motor using these contacts bypassing all switches and controllers. If the awning does not respond then the motor is more than likely the problem.

If the motor is bad then get some helpers and manually roll the awning up and use plastic wire ties to secure the arms in the closed position until the motor can be replaced.

I will try that if I can get a 14 ft ladder (have 1 but will need 2). The motor is driving the gears as they do engage when power is put to it, but there is no movement for rolling the awning. Looks like I may have to call the local RV repair shop to see if the do house calls. Thanks.

garykk · 03-31-2020, 09:12 AM

What model of awning is it? Carefree makes several. With the correct model, you can go to the Carefree of Colorado site and search the parts and diagrams to help you. It could be as simple as a sheared pin. Also download the operating manual, it should explain the proper method of rewinding your canopy.

DataDaveB · 04-01-2020, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DataDaveB

I will try that if I can get a 14 ft ladder (have 1 but will need 2). The motor is driving the gears as they do engage when power is put to it, but there is no movement for rolling the awning. Looks like I may have to call the local RV repair shop to see if the do house calls. Thanks.

I did get it manually retracted (rolled up). With a helper, we pushed on the lower section of the arms located at the body side;zip tide it in 3 locations, then I checked the roller section which now was rolling in a free state (when retracted it would not roll). Got the canopy rolled up and under the metal roller cover. Tomorrow will see if it will extract, if it does, I will not fully extract it, and then see if I can retract it. Thanks for the idea to get it closed.