Community Forums

coachmanrvr · 06-18-2013, 05:30 PM

We just got back from a 5000 mile run and think we have our step problem figured out. Rained the last couple of days pretty good and our door step would not come out when we pulled in, but would work in the am. (Some times)

We've been home for a couple of days now and it's working great. Dryed out. Looking at the wheel well I think I figured out why. The switch is exposed to wheel water spray from the back side. I should have taken a pic before the sealant, but you get the idea. Take a look at your coach and should be able to see the two wires going straight to the switch. Passenger front wheel well look toward the door. Might do some good to water proof it a bit if you can see the wires and the switch.

Just thought I'd share.

The door switch

Looking aft where the water gets inside the wheel well. (I had already sprayed the area...sorry, no before pics)

No more water

coachmanrvr · 07-21-2013, 05:44 PM

OK, so the problem returns. We took the coach back out and the steps were once again inop. We spent the weekend up and down with a small step stool. I figured I would look again once we got back home. When home I decided to try a small tap on the motor and it made the steps start working again. Any ideas? I'm guessing the motor has water intrusion or is just bad? A very light tap with a hammer and they work great.

oh no · 07-21-2013, 06:01 PM

Check for a bad ground wirer. Go to the frame

coachmanrvr · 07-21-2013, 06:14 PM

Been all through the wiring. The grounding and connections are tip top. Like I said, all I did to make it work was tap the motor casing. I'm thinking a bad motor.

djbmsu · 07-24-2013, 08:39 AM

Bad motor ! most likely the armature and brushes

mikwallace · 07-30-2013, 08:43 PM

I had the same problems with my steps and finally after about 18 months it gave up and completely quit. I took the motor off the steps and water intrusion corroded the brushes and motor armature. Its an easy replacement on the motor. I completed the research on this forum and found a replacement motor from Auto Zone that is the same as the driver door electric window motor off a ford automobile. It works great and has been working flawlessly for the last 12 months.

I attempt to stay up with the threads on this forum as research and hopefully one day will own a Tiffin!
Good Luck!!

kewag · 07-30-2013, 08:52 PM

Have you contacted Tiffin service and ask them? Since it is a 2013 as per your signiture, it should be under warranty...Service: (256) 356-0261

coachmanrvr · 07-31-2013, 05:36 AM

Going to call them today as a matter of fact. Thanks for throwing the number up for me. Now I don't have to dig around to find it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kewag

Have you contacted Tiffin service and ask them? Since it is a 2013 as per your signiture, it should be under warranty...Service: (256) 356-0261

coachmanrvr · 08-05-2013, 07:52 PM

Got this in the mail from Tiffin today. I'll swap it out tomorrow.

kewag · 08-06-2013, 04:28 AM

Thanks for the update, let us know how you make out.

coachmanrvr · 08-06-2013, 11:30 AM

Got it swapped out. The easy way is to pull power to the motor when the steps are in half travel. The motor has so much static torque on it when the steps are extended, it wouldn't come off until we started to cycle the steps.

Be careful if you change one. When you pull it off you'll get the two washers, driven gear, and centering pin falling on the ground. Found that one out the hard way...

Time will tell if that is the good fix or not.