These stairs are driving me CRAZY

[Shellback1]

My Kiwkee stairs are doing crazy things for the last year or so. Here is what they do. If I'm parked they go in and out ok. When I start on a trip they go in ok. Next I'll stop for either a rest or gas and out and in ok. About the second stop they go out then in when I close the door but when I open the door again they don't go out. This will last usually until the next day sometime after opening and closing the door several times, then they work and repeat the process. I had changed the motor, I cleaned the grounds and just today I changed the controller. When they were stuck, I measured 13.2v at the red wire on the 4 pin plug, but nothing at the red wire to the motor. Thinking that the controller was bad I just changed it. It didn't work right at first but now they are working again. It only fails after I drive for a while. HELP

[Gma-n-Gpa]

Don't take offense - have you checked the door "switch" mine came loose and drove me up a wall.

[Shellback1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gma-n-Gpa Don't take offense - have you checked the door "switch" mine came loose and drove me up a wall.

The door switch works, that is when the steps decide to work, when I open and close the door with the override off the steps go out and in every time. The ignition switch works too when I start it up and the override switch keeps it locked out ok, that is when the steps are working.

[ottffss]

Maybe the magnetic switch(es) have gotten flaky? Get jostled when driving so that they work sometimes and stick at others - they are mechanical after all. You've already replaced everything else, it's the last thing to try. Not expensive to replace - might be worth a try.

[Shellback1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottffss Maybe the magnetic switch(es) have gotten flaky? Get jostled when driving so that they work sometimes and stick at others - they are mechanical after all. You've already replaced everything else, it's the last thing to try. Not expensive to replace - might be worth a try.

Yea I guess you guys are right. The other thing I will do is solder a 12 guage wire to the 2 grounds and connect them directly to the battery ground. I won't know if they are fixed until I leave San Diego next month.

Thanks to you all.

[hdossett]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shellback1 Yea I guess you guys are right...

Don't count on! I think these controllers have a mind of their own. I have replaced the step motor, door switch, new ground wires, and even took out the manual and wired it up correctly. (It would not retract with ignition on since I've had it). I still decides to not extend about one of five attempts, in a random sequence, of course!

H.

[frankdamp]

On our rig, the stairs "off" switch leaves them in the position they were in when you switched it. The only thing that over-rides that logic is if you turn the ignition on.

To get them out again after driving, you have to cycle the switch.