Kwikee steps reverse diagnostics

[Concord]

22 degrees yesterday in Minnesota.

I decided to figure out why my steps quit working. Light would come on but nothing else.

-So ground must be good... Door switch must be good... Hmmm might be the motor.. Crawl under and take the motor out.. Bench test. Works. Forward and reverse.

Take the control unit out.. Then I see that there are TWO ground wires, and the heavier one has a touch of corrosion. Take it out, shine it up, put everything back together..

WORKS GREAT!

Too bad I didn't start with the ground wire..

[RKins]

Good Job!!

[Domo]

I second the "Good job!"

RV manufacturers are famous for using self-tapping screws directly into painted metal to establish grounds. Sadly, the only connection ends up being the threads that happen to touch the metal. Over time, those corrode.

Proper method is to scrape the paint on both sides, drill for a bolt and bolt the connection so that the bolt head, the connection and lock washer all have good positive contact with a larger surface area. Final touch is to spray with battery post corrosion paint (or similar).

When I troubleshoot (too often) I carry, CRC contact cleaner and lubricant, crimpers, spare connections, dielectric grease and my meter. I always pull fuses and measure their resistance, then spray the holder and fuse ends with CRC - same with any connection - pull apart, tug on wires to make sure they're tight, re-crimp, spray, reinsert several times and then goober it with dielectric grease. I'm betting I've been solving many "future" problems with this habit!

[mr.tommy]

I do basic maintenance on our KwiKee Power Steps every 3 months.

For others looking at this post, I found a great, in depth KwiKee Power Steps video on YT. This guy has some great vid's. I watch him often and sometimes he also does some funny stuff along the way to make it interesting. It's a cool RV channel. Check it out if you're interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0HqrsKj8Es&t=38s

[bneiva]

I found most problems with these steps come from the two wire plug that connects the step to the battery current. Test it for power, or replace it.

Bill