Girard Awning Motor

[Jerry Pattison]

I have another problem with my 98 Marquis!  I have a Girard awning that seems to forget when it is out and when it is seated.  I can adjust it properly, then the next time I operate it, it forgets where it should stop, both going out and coming in.  I lived in Texas until last May, and when I got the coach out of storage, I had to knock off mud-daubing bee homes off the entrance to the manual adjustment of the awning.  I think my problem may be that the bees got into the area of the motor and limit switches, and that is what is affecting the operation.  How do I get to the motor to either remove it for cleaning or clean it in place?  Is removing the end cap enough?

[Larry Fritz]

Jerry: Girard is located in San Clemente, CA. Many years ago I had them replace the awning fabric at the factory on my 98 Patriot. In the process, they discovered that my coach did not have the replacement upgrade motor installed. At that time, they installed a new motor during this work.  It is not easy to get to the motor. I suggest you call them and hopefully they can give you or send you detailed instructions on how to replace a motor. You may not need a motor but the process of getting to the switches is similar as I recall.

Larry Fritz

[Jerry Pattison]

Thanks, Larry.  I do have the replacement motor already, that work has been done.  I appreciate your response!

[Adam Hicklin]

Jerry, the awning is recessed into the side of the coach about 2 inches.  The motor can't removed without first pulling the motor end out of the recess.  It's a big undertaking.  I had my motor replaced at Girard a year ago.  In talking to the tech, he said he can swap out a motor in any flush mounted awning in about 20 minutes.  In a beaver it's a 2-3 hour ordeal.  If you want to take it on yourself, I would call Girard and talk to Andre.  Or better yet, if you're in the SoCal area take it to them and let them deal with it.  Andre might also have some advice on fixing the problem without removing the motor. 

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Jerry, the way Andre' explained it to me was the cover streatches over time and should be replaced about every ten years.  The motor uses the tension on the cover to retract the awning and hold it in place.  Too much slack and it can indeed unroll itself.  There are threads on this forum talking about that.

[Fred Brooks]

           Hi Jerry,
      When you make the adjustments are you waiting for the awning motor to respond? Example would be as follows: Lets say the awning is 3" away from closing all the way. After it stops moving, turn the allen screw slowly until the awning moves in then stops. Make the same adjustment again and again until the awning is almost closed all the way. Extend the awning just enough to make one final 1/4 turn. Retract the awning to make sure the Leading edge is tight. Word of caution: With the awning fully closed make sure the motor is NOT running. If it is, you have gone too far and will burn up the motor. Same thing applies when adjusting it to the fully extend position. Arms should just touch the knuckle at the center hinge, fabric still tight then shut off.
   Hope this helps, Fred