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perenner · 05-25-2023, 05:10 AM

The night shade on my 2014 Tiffin Phaeton is giving me troubles. I have a duel shade, solar (opaque black) and night (white vinyl fabric), that cover the windshield in my coach. They have separate rollers and up/down buttons but it is one unit. The solar shade works fine but the night shade has been stopping intermittently in both the up and down directions. This requires multiple attempts at depressing the toggle switch to get it into position. On my last trip it got so bad I was afraid to put it down not knowing if it would go back up in the morning. It got to the point that it would only move about a quarter of an inch with each press of the button in either the up or down direction. I left it nearly up all the way until I got home to trouble shoot. Does anyone have a manufacturer name or model number for this. A manual would be helpful. My first check was to swap the wiring between the solar and night switch. That ruled out the switch being the problem because the night shade switch controlled the solar shade just fine and the solar switch made no difference in the movement of the night shade. So I thought I would just take the shade off to inspect the wiring and motor. I loosed the screws holding it to the ceiling but there is little clearance on each side to get it out. Do you have to take the edge trim pieces off around the windshield to get it out? After jiggling it around I just left it loose till I could get an answer. I thought I would try it again just to see if maybe I jarred a loose wire but the night shade did the same thing and would only move a fraction. So, I thought if I could get it to roll all the way up (it was about 6 inches from top) it might give me more clearance. After many toggles of the switch it got to the top limit and would go no farther. Don't know why but I pressed the down toggle and it worked great! In both directions! Could it have been a stuck upper limit? Anyone had this issue? My guess is that it will come back.....

edgewant · 05-25-2023, 06:06 AM

I don’t have a Tiffin but have a similar shade setup. The mfg of the shades on my coach is United Shade. If you Google United Shade you will find links to their manual on how to program the shades. On my shades there are two very small buttons located near the right end of the shade. Those are used in combination with the toggle switches to set limits for key on and key off.

Wish you luck in getting the right info for your shades.

RVStitchy · 05-25-2023, 06:31 AM

We have MCD shades on our Coach. I have had to reprogram the upper and lower limits in the past. You can get the manual from MCD website if that is what you have. One of the steps in the procedure for reprogramming the limits calls for holding the rocker switch down until you get close to the desired lower position then hit the rocker multiple times and it will come down about a 1/4" at a time. Once you are at the lower position you hit up on the rocker switch to lock in the location.

You symptoms sounds like it might have lost the programming.

Domo · 05-25-2023, 06:44 AM

As RVstitchy says; you'll need to reprogram your MCD shade and all will be well once again.

Follow the programming instruction TO THE LETTER!

DRM901 · 05-25-2023, 08:07 AM

You have AutoMotion Shades (AMS). (We do as well on our 2014 Allegro Bus.)

Your motor is going. I have one next to the driver that is doing it as well, but it still works. So I bought the motor and will replace it when it gets more suspect.

I think the only place in the US to buy the motor is Bradd & Hall. (https://www.braddandhall.com/productcart/pc/home.asp)

Unplug it or cut the wires (depends on if it has ever been replaced. Then take out the very small screws that hold the motor to the bracket. Then turn the shade so it slides out of the slot on the bracket. I think it takes me about 15 minutes to do one now. First one took at least an hour until I realized how easy it should be.

perenner · 05-26-2023, 06:57 PM

Thanks (DRM901). I suspected that my shade was AutoMotion because all the other (manual) shades in the coach are from that manufacturer as well. However, they all say that on the shade but I haven't been able to find any manufacturer marking on the powered windshield shade. Regardless, your description for remove leads me to believe that I don't have to remove the entire unit but that the shade roll comes out separate. Is this correct? If not, I am still trying to figure out which trim piece to remove, drive side or passenger side to provide enough clearance to get the entire unit out I have attached pictures or each. Any additional feedback would be appreciated. Drivers side should be the picture on the left.

DRM901 · 05-26-2023, 09:29 PM

As far as which side, look for the wires. That is the motor that has screws in it. You just take that shade out of the bracket. However looking at your pics I'm not sure you can get to the screws that hold the motor in the bracket. You have to get to the outside of the bracket that has the leads. (Look at another shade and you will see quite small screws that go thru the bracket, into the motor. )

The new motor will have a small plug, but odds are you just have 2 small wires. I just cut the old wires and did the heat shrink connectors. They can tuck up in the upper cabinet. Use the new plug so you won't need to cut them next time.

I'll post a pic tomorrow of one shade I replaced the motor on.

PanJH · 05-27-2023, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Domo

As RVstitchy says; you'll need to reprogram your MCD shade and all will be well once again.

Follow the programming instruction TO THE LETTER!

If the shades are MCD, here's an abbreviated instruction sheet for programming.

perenner · 05-27-2023, 09:34 AM

Thanks DRM901. Looks like my wires are on the drivers side (no plug). I cannot get to the end of the bracket without removing the entire assembly. I assume I'm going to have to remove the drivers side trim to get clearance. On my Phaeton this is the only "powered" shade that I have. No others to compare. Can't wait to upgrade to a Bus!! Still would like to see your motor picture if you can post.

DRM901 · 05-27-2023, 12:08 PM

I made a mistake. Just take that little spring clip off. It is on the inside - between the bracket & the up/down adjustments on the motor in the last pic. Here are some pics.

PM me if you have questions.

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TPDufrene · 05-31-2023, 06:11 AM

DRM901 I have a 2015 tiffin phaeton by any chance you have a part number. I went to the online tiffin store but there are multiple motors.

DRM901 · 05-31-2023, 09:16 AM

Do you have an AMS shade or MCD?

I only see 1 AMS motor - 5031344. The others were for MCD shades.

If MCD or if you aren't sure, then I would call Tiffin parts. Those motors are expensive, so you don't want to get the wrong one.

TPDufrene · 06-01-2023, 05:38 AM

I do have an auto motion shade on my 2015 phaeton. Part # is 5031344. Thanks, will try to perform change out myself.

DRM901 · 06-01-2023, 07:53 AM

It is really easy. The C shaped clip (between the motor & the bracket) comes off with light pull. I used a small screwdriver and put it in the little bump out on the clip. Then there is a small plastic hinged piece that keeps the end of the motor in place. Lift it up and lift the motor out of the slot.

I would cut your wires first off you don't have a plug. (Original motor was installed without the plug. )