Entry steps mystery problem

[Victory Blue]

Our entry steps have been working intermittently for several weeks. The earliest symptom was the steps not extending when the entry door was opened while camped. The steps would extend after closing and reopening the door once or twice.

About three weeks ago, while parked in a campground near our home, the steps did not come out and repeatedly opening and closing the door had no effect. The position of the inside step switch had no effect.

The coach went to the dealer on Dec 12. After starting the engine and bringing in the jacks, the steps worked – consistently and every time. Oh-Oh. I know from experience it would have been better if the steps hadn’t started working on their own. The dealer checked the wiring anyhow and said there was a loose ground wire so I figured maybe that was the problem.

Back to the campground on Dec 13, slides out, jacks down, steps were still working normally. On visits to the CC over the next couple of days the steps continued to work normally. On Saturday, Dec 17, the steps did not come out when the door was opened. No sound, no movement, nothing. Opening and closing the door had no effect. I checked the breakers, outside and in, and checked the door switch using the map lights as indicators (per Entegra CS); no problems that I could find.

Yesterday, as an experiment, I turned on the ignition key – no effect. However, after starting the engine and raising the jacks, the steps started working again. Today, with the engine off and jacks down, the steps are still working. For how long remains to be seen.

When the steps work they work smoothly and quietly.

Has anyone seen these symptoms before? I'm taking it back to the dealer but it's going to be hard for them to find a problem if the steps are working and they don't know where to look. Entegra CS has tried to help, but they seem to be stumped. Thanks in advance for any help that's offered.

[hawgguy]

Early on, when my steps started incompletely extending it was due to being dirty and insufficient lubrication. I have since become meticulous in cleaning & lubrication of the step tracks. My 2015 Conrnerstone stairs are probably different than yours but the concept is similar.

[ga traveler]

Why are you using the steps in the store position while in a campground? 99.9% of the people turn the switch off when in a campground. It sounds like you are getting low power to the steps.To check for low power, wait until the steps fail. Start the engine. If the steps work after starting the engine. (every time) You have a low power problem.

[HarleySG]

Not sure if this helps, but on my older Classic, my steps worked intermittently before finally going out, as you described. No real pattern to help diagnose the problem. Checked all the fuses and breakers as well. From what I've read via various forums, the Motor and Control board (located under the steps) can go out together, or one at a time. I decided to replace both, as my coach is older. Due to the frustration level this could be causing, I'd at least replace the control board.

[Victory Blue]

Originally Posted by ga traveler

Why are you using the steps in the store position while in a campground? 99.9% of the people turn the switch off when in a campground. It sounds like you are getting low power to the steps.To check for low power, wait until the steps fail. Start the engine. If the steps work after starting the engine. (every time) You have a low power problem.

Thanks. But low power why? The coach is always plugged in to 50A power. And why just to the steps?

Our coach is in a campground near our home about 6 months out of the year (think of it as storage with full hookups). Keeping the stairs in while not at the coach keeps rain, snow, ice and dust off of them. When we are traveling we usually leave the steps out.

[Victory Blue]

Originally Posted by hawgguy

Early on, when my steps started incompletely extending it was due to being dirty and insufficient lubrication. I have since become meticulous in cleaning & lubrication of the step tracks. My 2015 Conrnerstone stairs are probably different than yours but the concept is similar.

Thanks. My steps are well lubricated and work very smoothly when they work. My problem is they don't even try to extend.

[brobox]

Your intermittent problem sounds like the controller that the motor plugs into.

[Misty123]

Next time they don't work take something and rap the motor. If they start working the motor has a dead spot. It isn't unheard of with these motors.

[MxChief66-1]

Bill,
My steps were a problem during my PDI when I first noticed the map lights while in "auto" mode would cycle on and off without opening door. Tech was unable to duplicate it.

So on our way home from dealer the map lights started flashing and steps would cycle in and out while driving. (Not for the week of heart while driving thru Dallas rush hour traffic). Nothing I could do to control it.

After two return trips to dealer and two controller and motor replacements still no change.

Third trip to dealer tech gets PJ on the phone and in 10 minutes isolate it to nicked wire running between the door and map light switch located between chassis and floor.

Ran a new wire and an hour later all was good and never another hiccup with steps.

I believe I still have a copy of the wiring diagram showing how the steps are wired. I was surprised to find they are tied into the Trimark controller.

Based on what you are describing it sounds like a a short or loose ground.

A few month back I posted about 4 ground lugs located behind the leveler panel where Entegra ran all front 12v grounds. 2 of mine were loose disabling my genny slide. It my be worth taking a look there.

[Gasman 2]

Check the ground wire from steps to frame to be sure its tight at each point.
Richard

[RubiconTrail]

There are four basic components; the steps, the gear, the motor, and the controller.

The only thing that ever goes bad on the stairs is physical damage or lack of lubrication. When you lube make sure and get underneath and get the pivot tube, not just the joints. Use CRC red grease or Kwik Lube.

The gear rarely goes bad, but when it does it usually fails completely and the stairs just fall open.

The controller also rarely goes bad, and will cause the steps to just quit in whatever position they are in or work randomly.

The motor is the most common failure. Usually they are noisy when they go out as the usual culprit is the plastic gear.

All of the components can be had cheaply and individually from Amazon.

This does sound like a voltage problem. If you are sure the coach has good voltage (sounds like you are), I would re-seat the fuse and check the ground. The ground is a large white or green wire that runs from the controller to the frame of the steps and is easy to get to with the steps out. Remove the ground nut, clean the area with a wire brush, and put it back on.

[hayward3411]

Trust me on this one, unplug the wires going to the motor and ever so slightly twist the male ends on the electrical connecter using some needle nose pliers, hit with some electrical grease and plug back together.

I chased this for years throwing parts at the problem, including a new motor etc.....

It's been 4 years without a hitch, I now have replacement parts!

I found this fix on this forum.

[Jose67]

I had a similar issue were the steps would not completely retract intermittently and then they started to not extetend. I replaced the motor an problem solved!

[Matt D]

Jose67, I apologize for side tracking this thread but I tried to PM you. How do you tow your 350?

Thanks,

-Matt