Troubleshooting Guide for Power Motion Furniture and Recliners
If
your power motion furniture or recliner is not working, there are a few
things you can check to troubleshoot the problem.
-
Check the power cord. Make
sure that the power cord is properly
and tightly plugged into an outlet and that the outlet is
switched on. If the power
cord is plugged into an extension cord, or surge suppressor, make
sure that it is functioning by testing it with a lamp or
other electrical device.
We strongly recommend the use of surge suppressors on all power
motion items because electrical
voltage surges can damage the electrical components in the
controller and are usually not covered by manufacturer’s warranties.
Try unplugging the recliner for 30 seconds which may reset
the control electronics.
-
Check for mechanical obstructions
by pulling the chair out 6’ from the wall and rolling it onto its
back to look for anything that may have gotten caught in the
mechanism. Also look for any cut or damaged electrical cables and
check that all connector plugs are pushed tightly together and
locked, if they have a locking device.
If the control wiring is damaged, it may need to be
replaced. Minor cuts to the
insulation on inner wires can often be repaired by opening up the
cable enough to separate the inner wire and then individually
wrapping them with electrical tape.
If the wire has been cut, it will have to be replaced or
spliced with electrical compression connectors.
If any wiring has been rubbing on the mechanism, be sure to
secure it safely out of the way.
Also look down both sides of the black metal mechanism to
look for breakage of connecting rivets or bolts, or signs of bending
that may resulted in excess resistance in the linkage.
If there was a mechanical obstruction such as an item caught
in the mechanism, look for an overload protection switch on the
motor which may need to be reset, or unplug the chair for a minute.
-
Check the remote control. If
you are using a wireless remote control to operate your power motion
furniture or recliner, make sure that the batteries are fresh.
Make sure that the movement of the switches feels normal and
feels and sounds the same as any other similar switches on
the controller. If the
controller is a wired hand wand or switch panel built into
the arm of the chair, inspect the cord and follow it down to the
motor controller connection to confirm there is no damage or
pinching from the mechanism.
If you have a motion furniture item with 2 or more units and
one is working properly, try reversing the controller cables to see
if the controller works properly with the other mechanism.
-
Check the transformer. Most
power motion furniture or
recliners use a transformer to convert the wall voltage to the 12V
or 24V voltage required by the motor. If the transformer is not
working, the motor will not be able to operate and no LED indicators
will be on. To check the transformer use a voltage test meter, or
unplug it from the wall outlet and then plug it back in. If you hear
a very soft clicking sound at the receptacle, the transformer is
probably working properly. If you do not hear a sparking sound, the
transformer may be defective and will need to be replaced.
-
Check the motor. The
motor is a common component to fail in power motion furniture and
recliners. To check the motor, you will need to remove the back
cover of the furniture to access the motor. Once you have access to
the motor, try to turn it and the drive shaft by hand. If the motor
turns easily, the problem is most likely not with the motor. If the
motor does not turn easily, the motor may be defective and will need
to be replaced.
-
Check the control board. The
control board is the electronic component that controls the
operation of the furniture. If the control board is not working, the
furniture will not be able to operate. To check the control board,
you will need to inspect it for any signs of damage or over-heating.
If you see any damage, the control board may need to be replaced.
If
you have checked all of the above and your power motion furniture or
recliner is still not working, you may need to contact our Service
Department.
Common Service Problems:
-
Furniture will not recline or lift.
This is the most common service problem with electrical
motion furniture and recliners. The problem can be caused by a
number of things, including a faulty power cord, power switch,
remote control, transformer, motor, wiring, or control board.
-
Furniture reclines or lifts slowly. This can be caused by a number
of things, including a low battery in the remote control, a faulty
transformer, motor, or wiring.
-
Furniture makes strange noises when reclining or lifting. This can
be caused by a number of things, including a faulty motor, wiring,
or control board.
-
Furniture stops reclining or lifting in the middle. This can be
caused by a number of things, including a faulty motor, wiring, or
control board.
-
Furniture reclines or lifts unexpectedly. This can be caused by a
faulty remote control, wiring, or control board.
Here
are some additional troubleshooting tips:
-
Try resetting the motor or controller unit. Some
power motion furniture and recliners have a reset button. To reset
the furniture, simply press and hold the reset button for a few
seconds. Some controller
box electronic problems can also be corrected by unplugging the
power cord for a minute, just a s you would with other computer
electronics.
-
Try manually reclining or lifting the mechanism
by disconnecting the motor drive shaft connecting bolt or pin.
If the furniture reclines or moves manually, the problem is
most likely with the motor or the electrical system, rather than the
metal mechanism.
Safety Tips
-
Always unplug the furniture from the wall outlet before
troubleshooting or repairing it.
-
Do not attempt to disassemble the furniture unless you are qualified
to do so.
- If you are unsure about how to troubleshoot or repair the furniture, call our service department or contact a professional furniture repair technician.