How Do I Troubleshoot a Durasol Awning Motor?

Confirm power is reaching the motor switch. Remove the awning switch cover, located at the wall adjacent to the awning, with a screwdriver. Set a multimeter to the 120-volt AC setting. Touch one of the meter’s probes to either one of the wires connected to the side of the switch. Place the meter’s other probe against the wire connected to the opposite side of the switch. The meter should produce a reading of 120 volts; if the meter does not show a reading, check the breaker at the service panel.

Verify power is reaching the motor. Remove the awning roller assembly cover with a screwdriver. Turn on the motor switch. Locate the motor’s power connection terminals at the base of the motor. Touch one of the meter’s probes to the wire connected to either of the motor’s power terminals. Touch the meter’s other probe to the wire connected to the motor’s other power terminal. A 120-volt reading indicates the switch is working and that power is reaching the motor. No reading indicates the switch is faulty and must be replaced.

Perform a resistance test on the motor. Turn off the motor switch. Remove the wires from the motor’s power terminals with a wrench. Set the multimeter to the “ohm” or “1X” setting. Touch one of the meter’s probes to either one of the motor’s power terminals and the meter’s other probe to the motor’s other terminal. No meter reading indicates there is a short in the motor’s internal wiring; any reading on the meter indicates the internal wiring is intact and the problem is with the motor’s brushes, commutator or armature. In either case, the motor requires disassembly and repair or replacement.