Kwikee steps stoped working

[RanchoT]

I have a 1997 beaver motorhome built in 1996. It has a single kwikee step on it. Recently the step stopped working all together. No motion or sound at all. Today I crawled underneath and checked the cable from the coach side of the wiring, per the Kwikee instruction manual. All the voltage measurements were correct and the ignition switch voltage toggled as well as the door switch. There is absolutely no sound at all from the motor. I would think that if the motor had a problem, it would at least make some noise. Also the step light does not come on.
If it is the controller, are replacements available and can you recommend any thing I could do to get my steps working again.
Thanks John at RanchoT@msn.com or 805-465-0107

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by RanchoT

I have a 1997 beaver motorhome built in 1996. It has a single kwikee step on it. Recently the step stopped working all together. No motion or sound at all. Today I crawled underneath and checked the cable from the coach side of the wiring, per the Kwikee instruction manual. All the voltage measurements were correct and the ignition switch voltage toggled as well as the door switch. There is absolutely no sound at all from the motor. I would think that if the motor had a problem, it would at least make some noise. Also the step light does not come on.
If it is the controller, are replacements available and can you recommend any thing I could do to get my steps working again.
Thanks John at RanchoT@msn.com or 805-465-0107

Hate to sound like a broken record, but, have you ever lubed them? The number one cause of failure on these steps is lack of lube. WD40 is not considered lube.

[mhbell]

Originally Posted by RanchoT

I have a 1997 beaver motorhome built in 1996. It has a single kwikee step on it. Recently the step stopped working all together. No motion or sound at all. Today I crawled underneath and checked the cable from the coach side of the wiring, per the Kwikee instruction manual. All the voltage measurements were correct and the ignition switch voltage toggled as well as the door switch. There is absolutely no sound at all from the motor. I would think that if the motor had a problem, it would at least make some noise. Also the step light does not come on.
If it is the controller, are replacements available and can you recommend any thing I could do to get my steps working again.
Thanks John at RanchoT@msn.com or 805-465-0107

If you go to the Qwikee web site you can download a Qwikee manual that will tell you how to test and trouble shoot the step. It is very good and I used it to test my step that quit working. It was the magnetic door switch in my case.

["007"]

Sounds like you may need new motor or gear housing if nothing else works.
I have found changing of parts can be expensive when you finally figure its the gear that may come off its pivot in gear housing.

You can detach the lever to steps and see with step disconnected if things operate plus remove motor from gear housing and see if that works.

There are three ground wiring points that you may want to check the heavy green wire to chassis frame, one from door switch to chassis frame which always gets the dirties and needs cleaning and than the last one that comes out of control to one of its mounting screws.

Here is a place that I have had good luck with parts.

[jluke]

I just replaced the motor on mine ($80) through Amazon. To test the motor, just cut the two wires leading to the motor and hook them to a + and - source, if the steps don't go in or out it's the motor. The fact that the light is not on, sounds like the controller to me (which I replaced a couple of years ago).

[kysportsman]

On mine 1997 model winnebago the motor leads had connection made inside a cover that was fastened with a screw. Check this connection when mine quit that was the problem. James

[195pilot]

Don't forget to be especially critical of the retract override switch and the door switch(es).

I had a baffling scenario that's not exactly as the OP, but I offer it anyway, just in case.

On one occasion and one occasion only, my steps retracted and wouldn't extend no matter what. All voltages measured per the book and the door switch was functioning as designed. the motor was dead quiet.

As part of trouble-shooting, I removed the motor from the step. It was hard to pull the motor out of the transmission - it felt like the gears were loaded up.

The motor ran fine when it was free of the transmission. I reinstalled it and it's worked fine ever since - over a year now.

My theory is that somehow on one instance, the motor overran the limit switch and bound up the transmission, consequently stalling the motor. I can't explain why that happened but it's the only theory I can dream up.

If I remember right, the step light DID operate in my situation; that's a major difference from the OP's description. The fact that his light isn't working would make me focus on the magnetic door switch or the controller if the DC voltages to the step are all good.

[plasma800]

Bang em with a hammer from underneath. That actually works.

[hawgguy]

This topic is posted so often it should be on perma-link.

[plasma800]

Originally Posted by hawgguy

This topic is posted so often it should be on perma-link.

No doubt!!

[Clay L]

This is some info I have collected over the years from various threads for Kwikee steps. Maybe there is some info that will help.

Trouble shooting chart HERE

There is a trouble shooting guide HERE

If you need sources for motors or parts check the following:

Motor

PARTS 1

PARTS 2

PARTS 3


__________________________________________________ ______________
" 1) AM Equipment 402 E. Hazel St Jefferson, OR 97352, (541) 327-1546 the motor is $29 plus $7 shipping.


2) Replacement step motor at AutoZone. It's a Siemens "Window Lift Motor", part number WL43003.

3) Autozone. The brand is "Siemens"
The ID tag lists the following numbers:
59720-20
121899
4) A 1986-1995 Ford Taurus left front window lift motor matched my motor. NAPA part # BK655-1395 $63.99 I ordered my motor from Auto-Zone Manufactured by Dorman part# 742-206. This has a lifetime Warranty and was $49.99. "

Also these guys rebuild the older unencapsulated circuit boards: HERE

**********************************************
New info in 2012
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...4_1356%2C78656

Aci Auto/Window Lift Motor

For your 1995 Ford Truck F150 1/2 ton P/U 2WD 5.0L EFI 8cyl
Enlarge Image
Part Number: 83094
****************************

On disasembly of the motor I found the plastic plugs severly lopsided due to all the years of strain, new plugs cost $8.00 at Autozone or Amazon, other than that the Autozone Ford Mark VI would have worked $ $44, but I saved myself $38
*********
Just rplaced my 25 series Kwikee step motor with a Dorman 742-277 window lift motor for a 1986 Ford Taurus driver side window lift motor. They said the Taurus had a high torqe motor which is why the number ends with 277 meaning high torqe. My steps zip in and out with this motor application. It was a special order item but only took one day for them to get it to my local AutoZone store. I also noticed AutoZone had rebuild kits for Dorman window lift gear boxes (plastic gears) in the Help section of the store.

[NINK]

The post about getting the manual and going through the troubleshooting steps is right on. I will add that, the motors are pretty quiet, and they only stay on for a couple of seconds anyway, so unless you are laying on the ground you might not hear it. I had a similar problem, and things had just gotten a little loose, causing a jam. I took it all apart, lubed it up inside where the gears are, put it back together and lubed all the stair parts and everything worked great. Give it a try.