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CASERTA's avatar
CASERTA
Explorer
May 10, 2014

Problem with Electric Sofa Bed

My electronic sofa bed is not functioning. All other electronic functions appear to be working fine. I notice the fuze associated with the bed is a bit different than the others. It is a bigger solid black 20 amp fuze that indicates that it is "auto reset". Does anyone know what this means and how do you determine it is actually "blown" if you cannot see inside the solid black casing ? Also, can anyone advise as to any other reason for the "dead" sofa. This is definitely a problem with the motor not getting power. The vehicle is a 2012 Sprinter (ERA). Thanks! Paul
Class B
  • YC_1's avatar
    YC_1
    Nomad
    May 10, 2014
    Grab a 12 volt test light and drag your shoreline cord inside. Use the shoreline cord ground lug for the alligator clip on tester. Put the light probe on each side of the breaker you describe. It should shine bright on both sides if it is working. IF, there is an actual short it may be warm or click once in awhile. You can buy a thermal breaker at any automotive store. They usually are silver with a couple of mounting tabs and have two studs to connect your wires to. Less than $10
  • CASERTA's avatar
    CASERTA
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    Thanks YC 1. I have tested the fuze and it appears to be alright. Guess I am back to square 1 . Is there anything else that I should be checking? Hoping that the motor is not burned out. Have had no indication prior that this was a possibility. Thanks again.
  • CASERTA's avatar
    CASERTA
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    Arizona Kid, thank you very much for that great bit of information and enlightenment. Sometimes I get con fuzed!
  • YC_1's avatar
    YC_1
    Nomad
    May 10, 2014
    While using the test light have someone try to operate the switch. If the light stays on bright on both sides of the breaker the voltage is holding up. If the light goes dim then you have a weak connection. If it does stay bright then go to the motor positive wire and do the same test. If no joy then check the negative wire of the motor.
  • CASERTA's avatar
    CASERTA
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    Thanks again YC 1. After spending some time to understand my digital Multimeter. I found out my problem. It was a loose connector on the wire directly connecting on to the sofa bed motor. Perhaps anybody researching this problem in the future may want to check this connection in the early stages of their diagnostic process. Perhaps I will be a bit more careful in jamming things under the sofa. Now, on to the B rally in Indiana!
  • Karsty's avatar
    Karsty
    Explorer
    May 11, 2014
    Hey Paul ...

    Glad you were able to find the problem. That is something that I will have to be careful of ... I tend to jam too much stuff under the sofa.

    Enjoy the B-11 Rally. I had to cancel this year for personal reasons. You'll meet a great bunch of folks.
  • Fastpaddler's avatar
    Fastpaddler
    Explorer
    May 16, 2014
    CASERTA wrote:
    Thanks again YC 1. After spending some time to understand my digital Multimeter. I found out my problem. It was a loose connector on the wire directly connecting on to the sofa bed motor. Perhaps anybody researching this problem in the future may want to check this connection in the early stages of their diagnostic process. Perhaps I will be a bit more careful in jamming things under the sofa. Now, on to the B rally in Indiana!


    I was about to suggest that the connection to the motor from the harness might be loose or disconnected. Glad it is ok.
    Hope you survived Ottawa winter, OK and are ready to head out camping. Vancouver Island was mild with almost no snow but rest of Canada got hammered.

    We are off up Island shortly.
    Warm Regards.

    AL

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