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01-06-2017, 08:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,470
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Those darn steps
OK, today I finally got my coach back. It was hit back in June by a teenager who ran a red light. With one thing and another, plus heaps o' bureaucracy, it took until today to be repaired. But, three sentences and I'm already digressing. Today's topic is the steps, or lack thereof. The repair shop swears up and down that they plugged the coach in overnight while they had it, and indeed the system showed 12.6 volts when we arrived. But, the steps would not extend. That gave me a sinking feeling, as the only time I saw that in the past was when a different shop ran the batteries down to an abysmal 7 volts. Contrary to expectations, the batteries were fine today, and everything worked - except the steps.
Nothing, no whine of attempted work. The guy at the shop checked and power was getting to the motor, he said. It was getting late and I had to take my baby out into Los Angeles rush hour traffic, so I left. Tomorrow I will double-check the lubrication, and the power delivery. The DW, OTOH, swears up and down that this happened before and it was some trick something that we had to do to get it to work again. She says I found it on the forum before. I don't recall squat, but I'll not call her a liar. As usual, searching the forum isn't being helpful. Does anyone have a clue? That is, is there a secret handshake to get the steps to work, or do I need to look for mechanical or electrical failure?
I await with bated breath.
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2022 Newmar Ventana 3717
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01-06-2017, 08:49 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Pollock Pines, CA
Posts: 1,122
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Sorry to hear about your accident. I would have WAY more frustration than you do...very zen of you.
There are four basic components; the steps, the gear, the motor, and the controller. And there is also the wiring and connectors that tie these components together.
The only thing that ever goes bad on the stairs themselves is physical damage or lack of lubrication. When you lube make sure and get underneath and get the pivot tube, not just the joints. Use CRC red grease or Kwik Lube.
The gear rarely goes bad, but when it does it usually fails completely and the stairs just fall open.
The controller also rarely goes bad, and will cause the steps to just quit in whatever position they are in or work randomly.
The motor is the most common failure. Usually they are noisy when they go out as the usual culprit is the plastic gear.
All of the components can be had cheaply and individually from Amazon.
I have also heard of a lot of plug connection and ground problems. Sitting for a long time while being repaired sounds like this may be the problem. I would check the ground and all the plugs first if you're already sure you have good 12V power.. Also might look at the switch in the door...several people here on the forum have had problems with that.
Sorry, no magic bullet!
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John Arenz N6YBH
2017 Cornerstone 45B, 2012 JK Rubicon in tow
2014 Anthem 44B (sold)
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01-06-2017, 09:43 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SW FL
Posts: 32,807
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When my coach was at S&S for paint on our PDI, someone stepped on the step before it had stopped and burnt out the motor. Lucky it was on our PDI and the motor was replaced at Entegra.
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Chuck in SW FL
Digital 2021 Cornerstone "B"
A "Digital" 2019 Cornerstone "B" Traded
A "Classic" 2014 Anthem 42 RBQ---Sold
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01-07-2017, 08:01 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 1,562
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We finally got our steps working again after two months of intermittent problems like you describe. The tech that fixed them said going by his meter the motor had failed, but changing the motor didn't fix the problem. Once he changed the controller the steps started working.
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Bill & Lynne
Memphis, TN
2017 Entegra Anthem 44B - Victory Blue
2016 Ford Edge Titanium
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01-07-2017, 08:09 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 106
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When my steps fail to operate I just smack the magnetic switch on the door. On my unit it is on the bottom corner of the screen door. (Hinge Side) The part to smack is the unit on the body of the coach. There are two wires attached to it.
Your mileage may vary. But, best of luck.
ed
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01-07-2017, 08:43 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 1,562
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eieioh
When my steps fail to operate I just smack the magnetic switch on the door. On my unit it is on the bottom corner of the screen door. (Hinge Side) The part to smack is the unit on the body of the coach. There are two wires attached to it.
Your mileage may vary. But, best of luck.
ed
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You can test your Entegra door switch by seeing if the map lights come on (set to auto) when you open the door. The same door switch controls the map lights and entry steps.
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Bill & Lynne
Memphis, TN
2017 Entegra Anthem 44B - Victory Blue
2016 Ford Edge Titanium
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01-07-2017, 08:51 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brobox
When my coach was at S&S for paint on our PDI, someone stepped on the step before it had stopped and burnt out the motor. Lucky it was on our PDI and the motor was replaced at Entegra.
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Coincidentally while my coach was in the care of a Cummins shop, (for a lube and oil change), a shaft in the drive gear of my Kwikee step got broken.
Of course they said "We didn't do it". 
(Shops willing to take possibility for their actions are hard to find).
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01-07-2017, 10:53 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SW FL
Posts: 32,807
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Having worked on the older Kwikee steps and the newer ones, the newer steps are so light weight they will not hold the weight of a person if they are still in motion. The newer steps are also about 1/2 the speed of the older steps, so people step on them while they are still coming out and they break.
I think the motors are about half the size, making them slower and they sure cannot take the weight of a person putting weight on them while in motion. Just my experience.
__________________
Chuck in SW FL
Digital 2021 Cornerstone "B"
A "Digital" 2019 Cornerstone "B" Traded
A "Classic" 2014 Anthem 42 RBQ---Sold
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01-08-2017, 08:08 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Callaway, Md
Posts: 325
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Did you check the #10 fuse in the outside fuse box?
__________________
Brett & Christine
2016 Entegra Anthem 44B - Gold Ribbon
2014 Jeep Cherokee
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01-09-2017, 02:21 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,470
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregory0495
Did you check the #10 fuse in the outside fuse box?
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I did, and it was fine.
Yesterday was nice - sunny and about 75, so I was able to go investigate. Turns out it just wanted a bunch of lubing and cleaning. Seems to be working fine now.
DW still insists it was something electrical. I don't know - can't find anything in the manual, but it is true that opening and closing the door produced no sound at first, then later you could hear a click when the door opened or closed. Once lubed, the steps worked. She thinks that she read that a long press on the door keypad would shutdown or reenable the steps. I don't know, but hey, it's working now.
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2022 Newmar Ventana 3717
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01-09-2017, 06:04 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Peoria IL
Posts: 2,141
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I had a similar problem last year and the CS said for me to try smacking the motor with a rubber mallet and it worked. I guess when the coaches sit for a while they need reintroduced to the need of working.
__________________
2019 45 ft New Horizons Majestic
2022 Ram 5500, CM bed, Kelderman air suspension
Sold: Entegra Aspire, DRV, Redwood
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01-10-2017, 12:58 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SW FL
Posts: 32,807
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeGee
I did, and it was fine.
Yesterday was nice - sunny and about 75, so I was able to go investigate. Turns out it just wanted a bunch of lubing and cleaning. Seems to be working fine now.
DW still insists it was something electrical. I don't know - can't find anything in the manual, but it is true that opening and closing the door produced no sound at first, then later you could hear a click when the door opened or closed. Once lubed, the steps worked. She thinks that she read that a long press on the door keypad would shutdown or reenable the steps. I don't know, but hey, it's working now.
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I have found (the hard way) when batteries are allowed to get too low all kinds of weird things happen. The door remote will take a few times of use to get back working with the code. The slide remote module in the D/S electrical compartments will need to be reprogrammed. It sounds like that step controller might be the same way. Glad it was an easy fix.
__________________
Chuck in SW FL
Digital 2021 Cornerstone "B"
A "Digital" 2019 Cornerstone "B" Traded
A "Classic" 2014 Anthem 42 RBQ---Sold
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01-15-2017, 11:36 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,470
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Last night the motor started making a loud chattering at the end of its travel. That got worse, and now it doesn't work at all. The electrical parts appear OK, and the steps are well lubed. I guess it's time to call CS. It's under warranty, but I need to get it fixed in the next few days.
__________________
2022 Newmar Ventana 3717
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01-16-2017, 12:46 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SW FL
Posts: 32,807
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"if" someone at the body shop stepped on the steps before they were finished traveling, the plastic gears could have been damaged or the motor itself, which was my case. The motor is only 3 screws to remove if you want to check it yourself.
__________________
Chuck in SW FL
Digital 2021 Cornerstone "B"
A "Digital" 2019 Cornerstone "B" Traded
A "Classic" 2014 Anthem 42 RBQ---Sold
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