Delayed step extension/retraction

[Route 66]

The steps are frequently delayed in extending or retracting when opening or closing he door.

Sometimes they work properly, but more often than not, there can be a delay of up to 30 seconds before they move.

They move at normal speed once they do move.

Anyone run into this?

[Lug_Nut]

Dirk, I have never experienced anything like that. While there is a relay that control it, there is no delay associated with it. I would venture a guess that it is a poor signal to the relay. This is from the door switch through the interrupt switch to the relay. A poor connection may simulate a delayed activation of the relay coil. Just a guess.

Peter

[Route 66]

My thoughts also.

In the next few days, I'll get under and check all of the connections and of course, the ground.

["007"]

I was just going to mention that, the ground.

[Joe & Bonnie]

Mine do the same thing, not every time but often enough to cause me grief . Haven't gotten down underneath to troubleshoot yet.

[Steve Larkin]

I had a poor ground. Also, despite what the manufacturer says, it could benefit from some strategic WD40 or oil under there. Mine tends to have a problem after it has been extended, so every week or so when I am stationary I turn on the exterior step switch and retract it a few times.

[DonnaB]

We were recently having the same problem. Don had checked the wiring and ground and felt they were good. While at the Newmar Intl last month we had Newmar techs look at the steps as we thought the motor was failing. They said they just needed lubricating, did so and they worked fine. We said, "wait, these are the steps that say no lube required." They said, "lube them anyway as they require it." They used a dry silicone and said to use a dry lube. We bought a spray teflon dry lube at Lowes. Steps been working fine for weeks now.

[Route 66]

I checked all of the connections today and lubed everything to no avail. The steps never seem to bind or stick, just a delayed action most of the time. It just started the other day.

[Route 66]

Thanks for the suggestions, but today they gave up the ghost.

Wouldn't extend. I was able to pull them most of the way out to be usable.

Looks like a call to Newmar on Monday for help, I hope.

[GaryKD]

Hi Dirk,
You have a hard failure, outstanding. Now is the time to take the measurements. Is there 12 VDC at the motor? If yes, there must be a bind in the mechanism. If there is no 12 VDC then trace it backward until you find the 12 VDC.

[Spikester]

Dirk, you can also bypass the control board and apply 12VDC directly to the motor to extend or retract the steps fully. Disconnect the control panel connector, and the connector going to the motor. Find the hot (12VDC wire) that furnishes power to the control board. Run a jumper from that terminal to the connector going to the motor, ground the other lead on the connector going to the motor. Motor will then either retract or extend the steps. To drive the motor in the other direction just swap the power and ground jumpers at the motor connnector. The control board just reverses the polarity of the power going to the motor to extent and retract the steps, by jumpering past the control board you can get your steps to at least extent or retract if the motor is not bad. This also helps to isolate your problem also.

I had a similar problem last winter, turned out that the control board was bad, which caused the motor to burn out, once I replaced both motor and control board step as been working better than when it was new.

Spikie

[Route 66]

Thanks for everyone's help.

Testing with my VOM today indicated the controller was working properly, supplying battery and ground and reversing same.

Ohm meter indicated an open on the motor leads.

The steps were made by Coach Steps Inc. which has been bought out by Lippert Components.

Newmar wants $217 for the motor and gear assembly, which is the way the replacement is supplied.

Ordered same from Lippert for $180 which includes shipping.

[GaryKD]

Hi Dirk,
Congrats on finding the problem. Nothin' like a hard failure to help with the diagnostics. Well done.

[Route 66]

I installed the new motor and the steps work much better and very quiet.

However, after a few good operations, the problem returned.

I finally got the steps retracted and crawled under to get the part # for the controller and the motor was very hot with the steps retracted. Not a good sign.

Unplugged the steps.

Member JLDHELMS posted in another thread;

Quote:

The "Stromberg Carlson" web site says they are the distributor for Lippert Components, ie, SCS/Frigette Coach Step parts and list the controller, their P/N SP-164889, at $128.10. Hope this research helps someone else who is in the same boat as me.

Ordered same.

Lippert wants $225 for the controller.