"Carefree" awning - Click, but no retract

[Machine99]

We have a motorized "Carefree" door awning that will not retract. I can hear a click, which sounds like it maybe a relay energizing, but the motor does not move at all.

This issue happened before about a month ago. Same clicking sound, but no movement. After a couple hours of pushing the retract button periodically, I cranked up the engine and it all of a sudden started working fine...

I think I can manually retract by taking the right side end cap off and use a 3/8" socket, but would like to repair if possible. Almost acts like its not getting the 12V.

Any guidance on troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated. Can I test voltage behind an end cap, or do I need to remove the awning from the side of the RV? Can I access anything from behind (removing back panel of a cabinet)?

I'll also check for fuses/breakers in the morning. Last time this happened I checked them and found nothing blown/tripped.

Many thanks!

[Machine99]

Cannot find any tripped breakers/blown fuses.

Is the relay inside of the awning? Can I get to any of the wiring by taking off the end caps?

Anything else I should look at or try before manually retracting?

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by Machine99

We have a motorized "Carefree" door awning that will not retract. I can hear a click, which sounds like it maybe a relay energizing, but the motor does not move at all.

This issue happened before about a month ago. Same clicking sound, but no movement. After a couple hours of pushing the retract button periodically, I cranked up the engine and it all of a sudden started working fine...

I think I can manually retract by taking the right side end cap off and use a 3/8" socket, but would like to repair if possible. Almost acts like its not getting the 12V.

Any guidance on troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated. Can I test voltage behind an end cap, or do I need to remove the awning from the side of the RV? Can I access anything from behind (removing back panel of a cabinet)?

I'll also check for fuses/breakers in the morning. Last time this happened I checked them and found nothing blown/tripped.

Many thanks!

Is it possible someone opened to far and it wound back up the wrong way? What happens when you hit extend?

[Machine99]

I wound up using the manual override (removing plug and cranking it in with a 3/8” ratchet after spending an hour and thirty minutes on hold then getting transferred to someone’s voicemail…. I left a message, but no one returned my call.

Still just clicks when trying to extend or retract.

Still looking for some troubleshooting tips. Sounds like a relay clicking, but zero movement. Not sure if the relay is located inside the awning or behind a cabinet.

[Derekb]

I think on mine there is a connector. In an "emergency" you can disconnect this connector and apply 12 volts. One way will extend, one way will retract.
You need to have the correct connector and a 12V source.
I suppose if that does nothing the motor is fried.
I believe the connector is inside the plastic "clamshell" cover on the RH side where the motor is.
Good luck keep us posted.

[CosmikDebris]

My awning, and then main slide, both started doing this and it turned out to just be two cheap rocker switches. Since our RV has a remote, it worked until I replaced the switches.

[Ldubs]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Is it possible someone opened to far and it wound back up the wrong way? What happens when you hit extend?

That is exactly what I did on the trip before last. Wasn't paying attention when I store the awning. Next trip it tried to extend when I pushed "retract" but I had to help it along a little. Another lesson learned.

[FatChance]

Check what the voltage is at the awning motor with a multimeter.

[Machine99]

Update Fixed

In case anyone stumbles across this thread with the same issue. Motor was bad. Ordered a replacement off Amazon for $100: Link

Took about an hour or so to replace. Service manual and instructions were on the Carefree Website.