How to Disable Girard GG1000 Awning Motion Sensor

The Quick Answer

For your 2025 Tiffin Wayfarer's GG1000 Girard awning, you may be able to disable the wind sensor through the control panel (consult your GG1000 manual for specific override procedures) or by temporarily disconnecting the sensor's wire harness, or by temporarily disconnecting the sensor's wire harness located near the awning motor housing. The GG1000 system is designed to allow this for exactly your situation - installing support poles and sunshades that would otherwise trigger the automatic retraction.

What's Causing This

The Girard GG1000 awning system uses a vibration-sensitive wind sensor to automatically retract the awning when it detects movement from wind or other disturbances. This safety feature prevents damage from unexpected gusts, but it becomes problematic when you're trying to install accessories like support poles or sunshades because any movement during installation triggers the sensor. **WARNING: Only disable the wind sensor in calm weather conditions. If actual wind develops while the sensor is disabled, the awning will not automatically retract and could be severely damaged.**

The sensor is typically mounted on the awning rail or motor assembly and is calibrated to detect even minor vibrations. When you're working around the awning - especially when attaching hardware or adjusting fabric - the sensor interprets this as potentially dangerous movement and initiates retraction. This is particularly frustrating with the GG1000 because it's quite sensitive compared to older manual awning systems.

Your 2025 Wayfarer should have the newer version of the GG1000 controller, which includes improved manual override options specifically designed for maintenance and accessory installation. This is a common enough need that Girard built in multiple ways to temporarily disable the motion detection.

Tools You'll Need

• No tools required for the manual override method
• Small flathead screwdriver (if accessing wire connections)
• Flashlight or headlamp for visibility
• Wire nuts or electrical tape (if temporarily disconnecting wires)
• Multimeter (optional, for testing sensor function)
• Your awning's owner manual (for specific button sequences)

Step-by-Step Fix

Method 1 - Control Panel Override (Recommended):

1. Locate the GG1000 control panel inside your Wayfarer, typically near the entry door or in the main living area
2. Extend your awning to the desired position using the normal extend button
3. Most GG1000 systems use a simple hold-button override - typically holding the extend and retract buttons simultaneously for 3-5 seconds (consult your manual for your specific model's procedure)
4. Listen for two short beeps or look for a flashing LED indicator confirming sensor deactivation
5. The display should show "SENSOR OFF" or similar indication
6. Check your manual for how long the sensor remains disabled before automatic reactivation
7. To reactivate manually, press the same button briefly, or simply wait for the timeout

Method 2 - Physical Sensor Disconnection:

1. Locate the wind sensor on your awning assembly - it's usually a small black box near the motor housing
2. Follow the wire from the sensor to find the connection point (typically a small plug connector)
3. Carefully disconnect the wire harness by pressing any release tabs and pulling apart
4. Secure the loose wires so they don't get damaged or cause shorts
5. Install your support poles and sunshade as needed
6. Reconnect the sensor wiring when finished
7. Test the sensor function by creating air movement near the sensor (such as with a hair dryer on cool setting) and confirming it retracts

When to Call a Pro

Call a professional RV technician if you cannot locate the manual override function on your specific GG1000 control panel, as control layouts can vary between model years and Tiffin may have customized the interface. Also seek help if the override button doesn't respond or if you don't get confirmation beeps or display changes when attempting to disable the sensor.

You should also contact a pro if you're uncomfortable working around the electrical connections for the physical disconnect method, or if you discover damaged or corroded wiring when accessing the sensor. Additionally, if the wind sensor doesn't reactivate properly after your work is complete, this could indicate a controller malfunction that requires diagnostic equipment.

Consider professional assistance if you're installing permanent accessories that require modifications to the awning structure itself, as this might affect your Tiffin warranty. Finally, if you notice the wind sensor is overly sensitive or not sensitive enough during normal operation, this calibration issue typically requires the specialized software tools that Girard dealers have access to.