HELP! kwikee power step not retracting

[DGShaffer]

I've done all the searching and can't find an issue that resembles my own.

I have a 2008 Damon Outlaw that has a two step 32 series power step. the other day I was washing it and shortly there after the steps deployed and I happen to notice that when i started it up they didn't retract. This is what I've found so far:
The fuses are good.
I have 13.7vdc at the 4 pin plug going to the controller.
I cut the wires to the door switch so I can connect and disconnect them manually.
I pulled the motor and when I put 12vdc direct to the controller from a batter without having the plug connected to the coach end of the plug the motor turns as it should.
When I connect the plug (that definitely has 13.7vdc) all that I hear it a ticking from the control unit at about 1 second intervals.

So the motor works when I put 12vdc direct to the red lead on the controller plug but when I plug it in it doesn't work with the 12 volts coming in from the plug.

There must be some signal coming in from the plug that is telling it that it's not supposed to retract but this is where I'm stuck. Again, I bypassed the door switch and the grounds are solid.

Please help me through this.

Don

[Wanabee FTer]

I would remove the ground wire connection at the controller and sand/clean the area and reconnect as a starting point, hopefully there is not a problem with the control unit.

[DGShaffer]

The ground has been removed as a source of issue by disconnecting and connecting via a lead direct to the battery without success.

I suppose the controller could still be a problem even though I was able to get the motor to operate by putting power to the plug on the controller.

[Wanabee FTer]

Could be a bad pin inside the connecter or if the ground was faulty it may have damaged the control unit by searching for a good ground. Check this tech tip section at RV-Parts plus Monthly RV Tech. Articles. RV Technical Tips.

[DGShaffer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer if the ground was faulty it may have damaged the control unit by searching for a good ground.

This sounds plausible. After washing it and finding the issue, I did find that the ground wire lugs were corroded so I crimped on new ends and reconnected them.

Everything so far is pointing to the control unit so I think since I have it out I'll drive it up to my local dealer and see if they can test it.

Thanks for your help. I was going nuts trying to get through this. Thank god it's in my driveway.

[DGShaffer]

Well as hard as I tried, after two days of trying everything I could find as a source of this problem including trying a new controller, no luck. The tech support at Thor, Mike B. was really helpful but after going through the Battery control center with a volt meter top to bottom and every fuse we could think of I still have no power at the plug from the ignition lockout.

I've pulled the clevis pin under the steps and secured them in the tucked away position so that we can take our trip on Friday as planned. When we return it goes to Camping World in Lakewood where they've always treated me fair and have done great work.

I'm sure it'll be something simple for them but for me it was just too much. Thanks for the help, I'll post the cause as soon as I find out.

Don

[Wanabee FTer]

Sorry to hear it's not a simple repair.
Sounds like it could be a open circuit in a harness connector or faulty ignition switch.
Keep us posted on what actually repairs the problem.

[ksg5000]

Kwikee has an excellent PDF on their website how to install and test each component of their step -- worth a look.

[DGShaffer]

Been there... Done that.

I found that my awning doesn't retract when the MH is started so there's something wrong in the ignition safety. I was on the phone with Thor tech support and we walked through every step checking ground, voltages and every fuse. Now it's down to a faulty ignition switch or a broken wire somewhere.