awning not retracting or extending

Blondewolf · 05-01-2021, 12:10 PM

new poster here. new 321 rsts 5th wheel. first camp with new rig. Having trouble with main power awning stuck in partially open position. Was working fine in the beginning then used app to close it and it didnt close all the way. Now it will not open or close. Other smaller awning works just fine. So Im thinking not the fuse. Any suggestions Thanks !

Marko · 05-01-2021, 03:44 PM

Did you try the awning switch on the main panel? Also try deleting the app and then re uploaded it again or check for app updates.

Good luck.

Marko

16WhiteColly · 05-01-2021, 05:01 PM

It should have a manual override to retract it. It will be on top of the plastic end cover. You will see a small rubber plug. Inside there should be a drive nut that takes a 7/16” socket, to crank it back in. Just use that to get you home, you should be in warranty, let the dealer deal with it.

Blondewolf · 05-02-2021, 11:54 AM

Thanks Marko, Tried awning control on main panel. Deleted App on phone and reinstalled. Have done an update on bmpro. Awning 1 has not responded . awning 2 still working just fine.

Blondewolf · 05-02-2021, 11:59 AM

Thanks 16WhiteColly, I have visually located the rubber plug you described. Looks like all other attempts to get awning to retract have not worked up to this point. I will see if I can borrow a ladder from someone at the rv park and crank it in manual. We will let the dealer fix it in 2 days when it goes in for some other problems to be fixed.

Rock · 05-04-2021, 02:12 PM

What kind of awning do u have, have not seen one u can crank closed. If mine fails there is no way to retract it. Mine is carefree.
You should have a fuse for each awning. Behind my basement wall is another fuse box and had awning and slide fuses on it. If u have a meter unplug the awning wiring at motor and check for power with button pushed.

16WhiteColly · 05-04-2021, 02:43 PM

If you want to check the wire connections before taking it in and possibly tying it up for months in service, you can pull the plastic finish wire trim loose inside the awning arm that runs up the exterior wall. That will reveal the wiring harness that runs to the motor. The wire connector may have came loose.

Blondewolf · 05-06-2021, 11:21 AM

I was thinking about chasing down the wire in the awning arm to see if it got pinched or unplugged. I have received a lot of good advice and things I will try when my 5th wheel gets back from the dealer. It went it with a laundry list of things to repair. They said they will not fix any cosmetic items at this time and those will have to be done during off season. Fair enough however they consider awning a cosmetic item and not something that needs repair in order to camp. They will have their hands full with other items that will need to be fixed. I'm thinking when it gets back I can probably get it working with the advice I have received. Thanks ! It is a Solera by Lippert and it does have a rubber plug at the top once removed a 7/16 deep well socket fits the nut that turns to retract or extend like you had said. A socket attached to a drill makes short order of things otherwise be there for days. When it get backs I will extended the awning manually and try the suggestions that I have received. I have noticed so far that the customer service at Lippert is very friendly and they try hard to accommodate.

RAurand · 05-06-2021, 12:22 PM

When my awning quit working, I found the 2 prong plug in the awning arm under the plastic protector to have disconnected. Reconnected. Problem solved!

Rock · 05-06-2021, 01:13 PM

Wish my two had a way to crank them. Stupid design on mine to save a buck

16WhiteColly · 05-06-2021, 04:24 PM

I believe all awnings have a manual override for that reason. Slides do too.

Rock · 05-06-2021, 04:51 PM

No they do not. My old TT u could pull a strap and wind it in only. This stupid lattitude carefree u cannot do anything with it. Jayco used it for one or two years and it was just for Jayco. It is either a lattitude or longitude and carefree made that model just for Jayco. The arms are like paper plate thin junk.

16WhiteColly · 05-06-2021, 05:02 PM

I am talking about all electric awnings.

Rock · 05-06-2021, 07:19 PM

My awning is electric, there is no way to open or close a carefree longitude awning when the motor fails. 2016 model look it up there is no manual override on this model.

**norty1** · 05-06-2021, 07:27 PM

I did look it up in the owners manual: I have the same thing on my 2011 and it works as advertised.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
EMERGENCY OPERATION
If power to the vehicle is not available, the awning can be safely retracted by jumping
the motor using a 10V-14V power source such as a cordless drill battery or car battery.
NOTICE Do not use a 110V power source for the emergency override
procedure! Doing so will permanently damage the awning! Do not use the
emergency override without following the directions below.
1. Remove the front cover. To remove, press on both sides of the rear cover until the
front cover releases then lift the front cover off.
2. Detach the RED and BLACK wires
from the cable to the motor.
3. Attach jumper wires to the motor
wires.
4. Connect the other ends of the
jumper leads to a 10-14V source. If
the awning moves in the wrong
direction, reverse the leads.
Maintain contact throughout the
retraction process.
5. When the awning is closed,
remove the jumper wires and
attach the cable and motor wires. Be sure to match the wire colors.
6. Snap the front cover onto the rear cover. Hang the cover on the top and
swing down until it clicks.

Attach Jumpers to
Wires from Motor
Front
Cover
LG010

Rock · 05-06-2021, 07:37 PM

Norty1
Exactly using a drill battery or other power source if u have an electrical failure. There is no way to close or open it if the motor fails. There is no plug to remove and install a socket to manually open or close if motor fails. This is a poor design. Even my old TT Dometic awning had a way to release the spring which would roll it closed.

**norty1** · 05-10-2021, 04:36 PM

Well you are correct about that. I personally have never heard of a motor failing but it surely could happen. Usually they don't last long because many think they should be like the old manual ones and can be tied down and staked out all season.
They are fragile but work as advertised. Mine has never given a miniutes trouble but I did get a set of jumpers with it and have tried the procedure and it works.

Rock · 05-10-2021, 05:42 PM

Norty1,
Got to laugh at what u said about not lasting long. I would never leave this flimsy awning out if gone from FW. I do have poles I made with a curved block attached at top. Up at camp I do leave the awning out all the time I am there. Being supported by the poles and tied down it is going no where. The weak link now is the cheap awning material that Jayco specified for the longitude awning. It was already replaced under the two year warranty for stitching coming out. Carefree told me (looking up part number) it was there bottom line material.
My awning is very long and have noticed the tube now has a sag in the center. Carefree said they should of factory installed a center closed support bracket. Bouncing down our smooth highways can cause that. I just added the support bracket to prevent more sag. Should of did that years ago. The slight sag makes the support arms wobble when closing and I have to push on the forward arm slightly so it fully closes.

Rock · 05-10-2021, 05:48 PM

Pole pics.

Dannie0429 · 05-12-2021, 01:00 PM

I have the 330RSTS. My 2nd awning quit working but tge main worked. I 1st checked to see if 12 volts was at the rocker switch, (no 12 v). Then traced wire to a hidden fuse panel in pantry. Removed panel and found bad fuse. I suggest you try and trace wire and see if there is a hidden fuse/switch panel.

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