Community Forums

bepar108 · 10-14-2018, 07:11 AM

Help! My entry steps wont retract. I am sure this problem has been addressed but I can't seem to be able to use the search feature in order to find threads about this. My guess is that it may be a breaker or fuse because the entry light has stopped turning on when the door is opened. Can anyone tell me where the fuse/breaker is located for these items, or if the problem may be something else. Thanks in advance.

bepar108 · 10-14-2018, 07:46 AM

Also, if I can't find the problem, is there an emergency type method to get the steps up so that I can drive to get them repaired?

winniman · 10-14-2018, 08:08 AM

There is generally a contact switch on the door or screen door, so the steps know you have opened the door. Make sure nothing is obstructing the contact. Be careful when working on the stairs. If you have a hand in there, and it activates, it can cause some painful injuries. Most will retract if the ignition key is turned on. Try that as well. Otherwise, it would probably be a fuse. You will have to find it.

HECthe2 · 10-14-2018, 08:09 AM

(This may not apply to your problem, but...) I had the same problem that turned out to a bad ground. What worked temporarily for me was to un-plug and the re-plug the step motor and/or controller. I can't recall exactly which it was, so try them both. Again, my recollection is not 100%, but I -THINK- you'd then want to un-plug it to cause it to stay in place, else it might get confused again and extend itself. Trying to help myself first, but to no avail, I replaced both the controller and the step motor before taking it to a dealer. They found and fixed the bad ground by bypassing the hard-to-reach factory ground, which would've required removing the door, by making an entirely new ground. I had to return to them to re-work it because the new ground had not been made as cleanly to the frame as it should have been. Since then, it's been good.

RodneyLadd · 10-14-2018, 09:19 AM

You might want to check spydercontrols.com user name:Tiffin password: Motorhomes
There you can go to your year and model specific diagram to see what the fuse number is.We had a step issue in our 2017 AB and turned out ot be a loose wire in the forward power bay. The step wire had worked its way out from the harness.

heathtx · 10-14-2018, 02:29 PM

There is a fuse in the outside 12V fuse bank in the outside compartment under the driver's chair.

I would also check the contacts and the ground of the wire to the motor.

Be very careful under there, if the power and switches tell the motor to move, you do not want to be in the way when it does move.

heathtx

New Rvr · 10-14-2018, 02:42 PM

I had the same problem on my Fleetwood. I could get it to retract by tapping on the motor with a small hammer. Worked fine for several months and then happened again.
Replaced step motor and have had no problem since. The motor on mine is the same as used for power window in automotive application. A lot cheaper at Auto Zone than an RV site. Just have to know the number on your existing motor. Took my brother about 45 minutes to replace it !

heathtx · 10-14-2018, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodneyLadd

You might want to check spydercontrols.com user name:Tiffin password: Motorhomes
There you can go to your year and model specific diagram to see what the fuse number is.We had a step issue in our 2017 AB and turned out ot be a loose wire in the forward power bay. The step wire had worked its way out from the harness.

I tried the login info above today and did not have any luck. Can you please check and verify this is good info?

I'm building a binder of diagnostic tips

heathtx

RodneyLadd · 10-14-2018, 05:11 PM

Heathtx....I just logged in using the user name; Tiffin and password; Motorhomes and it works .

bepar108 · 10-15-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodneyLadd

You might want to check spydercontrols.com user name:Tiffin password: Motorhomes
There you can go to your year and model specific diagram to see what the fuse number is.We had a step issue in our 2017 AB and turned out ot be a loose wire in the forward power bay. The step wire had worked its way out from the harness.

Follow-up: Went to the dealer to have it looked at. Turns out it was the same issue RodneyLadd had. In the cargo bay just below the driver's seat is a fuse panel which they removed and found loose wiring at the plug in harness related to the steps.

Pine Cone · 10-18-2018, 07:53 PM

If you have to travel with the steps down, pull the pin at the end of the linkage and you can then tie up the steps with a heavy cord.
Pine Cone

lakefront5 · 10-19-2018, 02:40 AM

My steps stopped mid way out, wouldn't move. Removed the linkage pin and strapped them up until I could get to my next stop. Power to motor good, fuse OK. The motor had just locked up. I carry a spare motor for WHEN the motor fails. Had it replaced in 10 minutes. Always carry an extra motor and a good loop strap. Already got my order in for another spare motor.