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Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 08-29-2014, 06:25 PM

My entry step has stopped retracting when the engine starts and has beenin the fixed mode while camping. It does retract when the switch is changed and I close the door. I do change the switch setting when camped so that the step remains extended, but until the last few days it would always retract automatically when the ignition switch/engine started. I checked the two 5 amp fuses and they appear to be good.
Any ideas or has anyone experienced this problem. Your help is appreciated.
Year and model are in my login.

"007" · 08-29-2014, 09:28 PM

Ronnie, in QT's 1 & 2 there is information on steps with trouble info.
There are three links under RV STEPS heading one has to be yours.
Here is a thread on steps.

GaryKD · 08-30-2014, 07:25 AM

Hi Ronnie,
I'm not sure of the fuses you checked. Our coaches should be similar to each other. In the front left basement compartment there are the fuses powered by the automotive part of the coach. Go to Chassis Powered Fuses - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery to see a photo.

On the green board fuse 24 (15 AMP) is labeled steps. On the upper grey board, the fuse second down from the top left most fuse is labeled step (30 AMP).

Hope this helps.

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 08-30-2014, 06:33 PM

Gary the 30 amp on green board was ok. My grey board is not the same and I'm still looking for another fuse. I need better eyes. I'll work on it again later. The other function works but its annoying to need to change the switch to keep the step deployed and at my age a problem not to change it back to have the stairs retract when driving.

Sky_Boss · 08-30-2014, 07:02 PM

Let me recap what I think you are saying...

1. The steps move in and out when you open and close the door with the the external step switch ON. This would be normal.

2. The steps do NOT move in and out when the key is set the the engine run mode and the door is closed. This is how they should work regardless of your step switch setting.

Let me/us know if that is correct. If so, it sounds like the ignition switch interlock (yellow wire) might be the problem.

Kwikee Step Flow chart

ANYWAY...I recently tore my steps totally apart to fix them thinking my motor was bad. After it was all said and done the problem was NOT the motor but a Delphi connector pin (2 wire connector) carrying power from the control module to the motor. Since your motor appears to work under some specific conditions and then not under others, I doubt your problem is the same but double check the connectors leading to the control module.

In my case I was able to simply buy a new pin at NAPA, remove and cut the old connector off, crimp a new pin on and replace pin. I already had a special tool for extracting the pin but it can be done with a jeweler's screwdriver with a little patience. You just have to find the 2 barbs and push them in. BTW...it may be worth consideration to just redo all the pins in the the faulty connector block if that is the case.

Well...that is the best suggestion I can come up with.

"007" · 08-31-2014, 02:12 AM

Many threads on steps and step covers in QT's 1 & 2 and the new number # 3 and different MFG's also.

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 08-31-2014, 09:13 AM

Youe #1 and #2 capture the problem exactly. I will do more trouble shooting later this week.
Thanks to all for inputs.

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 10-28-2014, 10:43 PM

It has been awhile since my initial post. The 5 amp fuse at F7 was ok. My RV tech trouble shot the unit today and found that there was no power to the step when the ignition switch was on which allows the step to extend and retract when the step switch is off. Rather than attempt a lengthy trouble shoot of the wire in the circuit he installe a jumper from the fuse pnel to the step. The step now functions as it should with the step switch on or off...3/4 of an hour labor and $63.00.