Community Forums

galluta · 09-27-2013, 03:28 PM

I am really at a loss when it comes to my kwikee steps not working. Normally they don't operate when in the retracted position until one time they stuck open even when out of park. I disengaged the motor from the steps and the motor would run consitently when opening and closing the door. Because they were no longer connected to the steps hence no resistence, I was sure all the steps needed was lubrication. I lubricated the steps, reconnected the steps to the motor and it worked fine for about a week. Now it is stuck in the retracted position again. Does anyone have any suggestions. I hate to go to an RV shop for this but I feel like I have no choice.

vtbigdog · 09-27-2013, 03:38 PM

It should like the switch in the door jamb is out of alignment with the magnet in the door. If you have a magnet lying around you can pass it over the switch in the jamb to see if the stairs operate normally, and then go from there.

Also Kwikee has some great troubleshooting information on their website.

wa8yxm · 09-28-2013, 06:22 AM

If they open when they should not.. The door switch

if they do not open when they should.. The old joke is there are but two products you need in your tool box

Duct Tape and WD-40

Spray all moving joints with WD-40.. Spray 'em down good, and do it again in 30 minutes. If this helps then spray 'em down with a genuine lubricant (Say Silicon or PTFE) tomorrow.

Wayne M · 09-28-2013, 09:20 AM

The motor works on a current limiting switch. As the steps retract or extend all the way the current increases and the step motor stops operating, although voltage and current are still present.

Of there is any kind of a bind on the steps the current limiter will keep the motor from operating the step. what I found on my Kwikee steps is that the bushing on the top arm roller had crept out causing the current limiter to start acting funny. It would be intermittent and jerky when the step was extended or retracted. I was able to manhandle the plastic bushing with a long screwdriver and get it back into place.

A bushing may or may not be your problem but I would highly suspect that somehow your step is jamming because of a bind. Could be grass, twigs, whatever got up around one of the pivot points. Inspect all the moving points for debris or malfunction. If everything is A-Okay then it could be in the motor.

There have been other thread posts on the type of motor that can be used as a replacement.

SteveCal · 09-29-2013, 09:56 PM

All the above. Or. The controller (the black box bolted to the top bracket with all the wires coming out of it) needs replacing. Simple job. How do I know? Same story. Now they work properly.

The big PITA is getting that pin out of the bracket that pushes to steps out and pulls it in.

galluta · 09-30-2013, 11:34 AM

Thanks for the ideas. I am thinking it is the motor or the box. It was stuck retracted when I drove it home and the next morning it was fine. Cleaned and lubricated the next morning stuck retracted again.

Socaltoolguy · 10-01-2013, 01:12 PM

Mine was acting the same as described above. I talked to the RV guy that was doing my toad setup and he said the 99% of the time, it's a poor/bad ground. Check out all your ground wires first. That's the cheapest fix there is. Then go forward if that doesn't help.

Ray