Community Forums

ralphl · 03-19-2021, 03:58 PM

Although I have found several postings on this subject, I have not found an answer to my particular problem, so I am posting again.
I have an 05 Dolphin 5342 that obviously has the pre 2006 Kwikee steps. The old step part number is 902508007 (series 25) with a controller part number of 909509000. Kwikee steps underwent a major revision in 06 and old controller is no longer available (my controller failed). e-trailer said the new controller part number is LC363982, so I installed one. Now my steps work backwards--when I open the door the step retracts and when I close the door the step extends. A forum entry said to replace the door switch (normally closed--door closed, switch closed) with a normally open--door closed, switch open. I did this and it partially fixed the problem, but now the step work backwards with the ignition switch.
When the ignition is on, with 12v is asserted on the yellow wire from the ignition to the steps, door closure should cause the steps to retract. Also when the ignition is turned off, the door opened, and the step "power switch" is set correctly (I don't kbnow if that is off or on), the step should extend. With my new controller and new door switch, this does not happen. The step will only extend when I turn the ignition back on (kind of, but not exactly a reversal of behavior). I found a website https://www.countrycoachforums.com/i...?topic=15646.0 that describes my problem, with a promised solution from an rv parts vendor K&M Mobile R.V. Repair LLC that says he has a replacement wiring harness that will fix the problem. I sent him an email, but he has not gotten back to me. I also talked with e-trailer that says that it is fixed by a $450 LC379804 kit that includes a new motor, new gears, another new controller, etc that I don't need.

Has anybody had a similar problem is replacing the controller on a pre 06 step controller and know of a solution for my particular case???????

deandec · 03-19-2021, 04:18 PM

I would guess you need to switch the positive and negative 12v wire connections someplace. Maybe at the switch that was recently installed?

Jon_C · 03-19-2021, 04:24 PM

I do know the step motor runs fwd/reverse by reversing polarity to it. I used a battery’ charger to move mine while i waited for a new controller. Seems to me you could have reversed the motor wires and fixed it before swapping the switch?

Coarsegold · 03-19-2021, 04:40 PM

Reversed wires likely. Was working on an old Corvette with the flip up headlights the other day and when I tested the motor I would touch different terminals to make lamp body go up or down. Different beast but you get the idea.

turbine52 · 03-19-2021, 04:42 PM

Had that problem. You are going to have to disconnect power with the steps in one position and then remove motor put steps in opposite position and all should work. It did for me.

turbine52 · 03-19-2021, 08:38 PM

you could try pulling fuse on step motor and let it sit for a minute and try repower.

ralphl · 03-21-2021, 10:10 PM

Thank you to all who responded. I really appreciate it. There were several suggestions that I reverse the leads between the controller and the motor. I had the same thoughts and i reversed the leads--cut the wires and re-soldered them with the yellow crossed to the red and the red crossed to the yellow. i couldn't believe it!!! That SOB of a controller was smart enough to re-reverse the leads!!! (I really don't like it, when a machine outsmarts me.) Anyway it didn't fix anything so I cuts the wires again, and re-soldered them again--in the original configuration.

Turbine 52. Your suggestion of taking the motor off and moving the steps to the opposite position is intriguing. I'm going to take a look at how difficult that will be and probably try it. Was your experience the same as mine--going from pre-06 step controller to a new one?? Did you have to replace the black switch with a white one??? If not, maybe I should solder the old black one back in.

Ray,IN · 03-21-2021, 11:01 PM

FYI, Kwikee Service Training Manual

ralphl · 03-23-2021, 01:03 PM

Turbine 52:
I tried your suggestion of reposition the steps and no joy. I pulled the steps all the way up, removed the motor, moved the steps all the way out, and reinstalled the motor. As soon as I reconnected electricity to the steps, they immediately retracted all the way up.
Somehow the controller knew that it wanted the steps retracted, and despite my efforts retracted them. Any other ideas of how to get around this without spending $400+ on a conversion kit (that I don't know for sure that it will work).

deandec · 03-23-2021, 07:00 PM

Kevin Waite has helped a huge number of Country Coach owners with their coach problems.

You might call and talk to him about the wiring harness he recommended in the link you attached.

He does get paid to talk with you about your problem and will sell or acquire the parts, but evidently he does provide results.

I have had no contact with Kevin however.

He has been doing this for at least 10 years as his business.

Ray,IN · 03-23-2021, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralphl

Turbine 52:
I tried your suggestion of reposition the steps and no joy. I pulled the steps all the way up, removed the motor, moved the steps all the way out, and reinstalled the motor. As soon as I reconnected electricity to the steps, they immediately retracted all the way up.
Somehow the controller knew that it wanted the steps retracted, and despite my efforts retracted them. Any other ideas of how to get around this without spending $400+ on a conversion kit (that I don't know for sure that it will work).

The magnet on the screen door gets next to the magnetic switch on the stairwell wall and energizes the controller which causes the steps to retract. Did you have the door closed during this?
BTW, have you removed the magnetic switch and checked the wiring?

Jon_C · 03-23-2021, 08:44 PM

A forum entry said to replace the door switch (normally closed--door closed, switch closed) with a normally open--door closed, switch open. I did this and it partially fixed the problem, but now the step work backwards with the ignition switch.

I would try the original switch with the motor wires reversed if you haven’t already.

turbine52 · 03-24-2021, 07:39 AM

Sorry. Had the problem and the motor swapping worked for me. Have you tried calling Lippert to discuss with them. They have helped in the past. To change the motor I'm sure you pulled the fuse so that didn't help either.

ralphl · 03-24-2021, 04:32 PM

I want to thank everybody for their responses. I really appreciate that so many people responded.
Just a little update on what I have tried. After installing the new controller and found things reversed, I cut the red and yellow wires from the controller to the motor and soldered "red to yellow" and "yellow to red" thinking this would reverse the step extending and retracting. It did NOT. Everything remained reversed. Next I changed the door switch from black (normally closed) to white (normally open) and left the motor wires reversed. This changed the behavior of the steps with respect to the door switch, just like you would think it would. However, step behavior with regard to "power switch" and the ignition switch were still backwards. When I turned off the ignition and opened the door, the step did not extend.
At this point I again cut the red and yellow wires going from the controller to the motor, and re-soldered them as they were originally: red to red, yellow to yellow. Still no joy.
Talked to Ken Waite about a harness he sold about 10 years ago. Also, sent him an email describing the problem. He said he would look if he still had the harnesses, but he was unsure that they would fix the problem.

Talked to both e-trailer and lippert and all they would say is that I needed to buy the $400 LC379804 conversion kit. Wouldn't tell me what was special in the conversion kit that made things work correctly. Maybe they didn't know.

Right now I am studying Kwikee Service Training Manual the Ray, IN sent me. Thank you, Ray. If that doesn't work I will shell out the $400+ for the conversion kit.