Motorhome steps

[KatieMoore]

My steps are stuck in the up position. I have tried everything, any suggesions.

[Good man]

Katie,
Have you:
1. Determined that the step is getting power by listening for the motor to energize or listening for a slight click when the door is opened or closed? You can also probe the wires to see if they are energized if you have a Multi-Meter.
2. Determined if the step light (if fitted) lights up?
3. Tried to gently pull the steps out and down when the door is opened? (Use CAUTION to keep fingers clear of scissor-arms.)
4. Checked all fuses?
5. Sprayed WD-40 or PB Blaster on the scissor-arms. (Again, use CAUTION to keep fingers clear.)
Let us know what you find.
Jim

[H. Miller]

Would you care to share the type motorhome, year and step mfg???

[KatieMoore]

Thanks....we tried the things that you suggested. Just had a technician here, found it was the motor. I didn't think that would happen in less than a year,

[GaryKD]

Hi KatieMoore,
Welcome to iRV2. The good news is failing steps are not that difficult to determine the problem. The bad news is the problem could be mechanical or electrical. When looking for any mechanical problems or taking most of the electrical measurements, you will need to be under the coach and under or near the retracted steps. This can be a dangerous position to be in. If the steps start to deploy while you are under them you could get caught between the steps and the ground.

If you decide to move forward, you'll need a meter, spray lubricant of your choice, a flat blade screw driver and a hammer.
The following assumes the coach door is open. The steps should be deployed with the door open.
1. Look for bent or rusted pivot points. Lubricate as necessary.
2. Look for the gear mesh and see if there are broken gears, debris in the gears, etc. Lubricate as necessary.
3. Tap the steps in different places with the hammer to see if they will deploy.
4. Find the motor and motor wires. Follow the wires to the connector. With a meter, determine if you have 12 VDC to the motor.
5. There are micro switches that determine the step travel. Find these and with a meter determine if they work by taking resistance reading.
6. If you have power to the motor, the micro switches are working, but the motor will not move the steps, the motor could be bad. I've already replaced mine once.