Community Forums

dtucker3usa · 04-22-2016, 09:26 AM

Steps were working intermittently and now they are not working at all. They are stuck in the retracted position. Is there anyway to get them to open manually so I can get to the motor, control module, etc. Also when you turn on the switch inside it clicks twice and nothing happens. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Skip426 · 04-22-2016, 09:32 AM

Do you have a manual for your step system, with the troubleshooting guide ?
Single step , two or three stairs?
When you say clicking , is that noise coming from the control module ?

dtucker3usa · 04-22-2016, 09:46 AM

It is a 2 step system. no I don't have the manual. With the steps retracted it is hard to tell where the clicking is coming from. It is a good possibility that the sound is coming from the control module it is hard to tell.

Skip426 · 04-22-2016, 10:26 AM

Power Gear , the former company that distributed Kwikee steps, has been bought up by, Lippert. I think this link will still get you to a site where you can download a manual.

Power gear

As for moving the steps for access to the motor when they won't extend . I know I've done it but can't remember the exact process.

Could involve removing the cotter pin and the connecting pin that attaches the drive mechanism to the stairs themselves.
Now I have to go out and look under my coach to refresh my memory.

I'll be back !

Quaddinmad40 · 04-22-2016, 10:41 AM

You might try tapping on the step motor with a hammer as a temporary measure to get working briefly.

96 Bounder 36S 460. Pulling as many quads as I can fit on the trailer or get started!

mel s · 04-22-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtucker3usa

Steps were working intermittently and now they are not working at all. They are stuck in the retracted position. Is there anyway to get them to open manually so I can get to the motor, control module, etc. Also when you turn on the switch inside it clicks twice and nothing happens. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

dtucker3usa
Remove the Cotter Pin and pull the Clevis Pin.

Mel
'96 Safari

Steverino · 04-22-2016, 10:49 AM

Yes, there should be a pin / cotter pin that you remove to release the arm and let the steps swing down.

My first move would be to carefully evaluate all wire connections & grounds under there. A little bit of corrosion goes a long way...

If the steps don't get full voltage they will probably act wonky or not at all.

Good luck!

Steverino · 04-22-2016, 10:50 AM

Good job Mel - you beat me to the reply!

Pepper2 · 04-22-2016, 10:51 AM

Our MH is still in storage, but I believe the steps motor has a dedicated ground wire. The first thing I would do is clean the ground wire connections.

speed racer · 04-22-2016, 12:07 PM

The step may just be stuck. The intermittent working makes me believe they may need lubricating. I would try pulling down and out on the step while someone opens the door. The two clicks could be the relay engaging and disengaging

rambler62 · 04-22-2016, 05:00 PM

Mel S beat me to it also. Just had to replace motor on ours this week.

gastly · 04-22-2016, 10:33 PM

well.. i've been dealing with my steps for awhile...a quick way to operate them is to disconnect the wiring connection under the rv...hook up 2 leads and run to the battery..a quick touch on positive and negative with extend and then reverse them will retract,,

gastly · 09-29-2016, 09:48 PM

well. i had been dealing with intermittent step in and outs for awhile,then it quit.,i hooked up a switch and bypassed the control going right to the motor,,,worked great.but was always worried someone might forget to retract before taking off..i was all set to purchase the kwikee motor conversion kit and fix it right,,,something told me to go and troubleshoot one more time..had already checked the grounds etc..this time. checked the chassis 4 wire plug again.power everywhere except only 6 volts from red wire to ground..replaced that half of the plug..$4..works brand new again..Trust your readings on your meter,,,Yeehaa

brenthg · 10-10-2016, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaddinmad40

You might try tapping on the step motor with a hammer as a temporary measure to get working briefly.

96 Bounder 36S 460. Pulling as many quads as I can fit on the trailer or get started!

Recently, my steps quit working intermittently in the retracted position. I tried tapping the motor with a hammer and that made it work once. So it was time to crawl under there and take a look. I watched as someone opened and closed the door, didn't hear anything. After watching several YouTube videos, I saw that removing the motor was as easy as removing 3 bolts. If tapping it with a hammer made it work occasionally, I suspected the brushes inside the motor were dirty with carbon.

After removing the motor, there were 3 phillips screws I removed to disassemble the motor and get to the brushes. I lightly sanded the rotor and brushes, reassembled it and put it back on the steps, and voila...they work better now than ever. It saved me $125 from buying a new motor.