KWIKEE Electric Step complaint

[RLD_999]

I have a Rexhall, and the electric steps do not function properly. They are made by KWIKEE PRODUCTS ... sadly ... Kwikee does NOT have any phone number listed to call them at... SO ... since I will NOT tolerate such things, I looked hard , and found AM EQUIPMENT ... and guess what ?
THEY make the motors for Kwikee , so I am buying THEIRS as a replacement.

I hope this helps others who have had this problem, and found no relief.

Richard

[AttilaKara72]

I replaced my motor with a power window motor for 40 bucks from Autozone.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/chan...ew-151231.html

[RLD_999]

Thank You again ... I just ordered one from O'Reilly.
I was going to buy one from an RV dealer tomorrow for $86

GREAT RESPONSE !!

[Falcon35]

I guess it just shows again if its for an RV we can double the price.
Those Rvers have lots of money.
Problem is no one has shown me where the money tree is.

[AttilaKara72]

Originally Posted by Falcon35

I guess it just shows again if its for an RV we can double the price.
Those Rvers have lots of money.
Problem is no one has shown me where the money tree is.

I'm Still looking, and when I find it I'm not telling anyone!

[Darwin]

Kwikee Steps - Power Gear
Check this site, I think the parent company is Power Gear.

[SKP Kirk]

Originally Posted by Darwin

I think the parent company is Power Gear.

You are correct. Power Gear bought out Kwikee several years ago now.

[RLD_999]

I did fix my steps today.
I did buy the 42-309 motor at O'Reilly's but what they sent me did not bolt up correctly. Cardona says their motor come in many shapes .. THIS one was too wide to fit.

I did find the correct motor at ADVANCE AUTO PARTS ...item # 83694 made by ACI.
It was a NEW one for $45 ..... and works very well.

Thanks to all who helped, and especiall for the great info on the first response.

Richard

[CLIFFTALL]

Good news. Thanks for updating us.

[JacknKay]

I bought the replacement motor and gearbox from Amazon. I also repaired the old motor and made it functional. It was a matter of removing the armature and cleaning it. It still works fine and I have a replacement.


Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

[brobox]

Originally Posted by AttilaKara72

I replaced my motor with a power window motor for 40 bucks from Autozone.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/chan...ew-151231.html

X2 bolted right up and worked perfect. Had to change the plug end, but that took 1 minute.

[GRUU]

I, too have kwikee steps in my Rexhall. I don't think my mo0tor is bad however because the motor works like usual. Thing is when the steps start to move, up or down, they will go for a slight distance them stop and make a clicking sound like something is stripped or missing or something. They will stay up if you help them to the top position but when they are down, they can move freely. Is there a geawr in there somewhere that needs replacing?

[RLD_999]

Mick .... The main gearbox does have a few gears in it, but the look quite strong, and I doubt that any step action could damage THEM.
There is a worm gear at the end of the armature shaft, and IT looks a bit fragile.

Problem is .. you have to take the housing off the motor to inspect it ....
NOT A GOOD IDEA ! .... Springs and bushings start flying , and it is a REAL job putting it back together.

The replacement motor that I bought a few weeks ago... burned out.
I could not be certain if it was a defective motor....possible ... or if the controller was the problem ... just as possible.

I decided to take the controller ( $360 replacement cost ) ..out of the system

I bought a double pole / double throw momentary contact toggle switch, and a small Project box ... and mounted it inside my stairwell.

NOW ... when I hold the switch DOWN , the steps come down, and when they reach bottom ..I let off the switch.
When I want the steps to be UP ... I hold the switch in the UP position, until steps are hidden, and let off. 2 seconds on either.

The DC motor runs clockwise when battery is applied ... and COUNTER clockwise when battery poles are reversed. Simple enough method, and less likely to keep burning up motors.

Hope this helps.

[RLD_999]

By the way ... Kwikee's senior tech also recommended this as an alternative to the controller. They even sent me instructions on how to do it. I already knew, but a nice touch on their part