Community Forums

kr · 06-02-2008, 02:47 PM

I KNOW THIS MUST BE AN OLD SUBJECT BUT CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW TO GET THE KWIKEE STEPS DOWN WHEN THE MOTOR IS GONE. NEED TO GET IN AND OUT UNTIL I CAN GET TO MY SERVICE.

THANKS TO ANYONE WHO CAN HELP

kr · 06-02-2008, 02:47 PM

I KNOW THIS MUST BE AN OLD SUBJECT BUT CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW TO GET THE KWIKEE STEPS DOWN WHEN THE MOTOR IS GONE. NEED TO GET IN AND OUT UNTIL I CAN GET TO MY SERVICE.

THANKS TO ANYONE WHO CAN HELP

Rainbow · 06-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Are you sure the motor is gone? They are notorious for not working because of a bad ground. There are two ground wires to check. Call Kwikee techsupport. They are very helpful.

Gdlow · 06-04-2008, 11:39 AM

On the door jam there are a couple of small dots (perhaps the size of quarter...
take a magnet and rub across one or both and the steps should come down or up

chasfm11 · 06-04-2008, 01:16 PM

If the motor is truly gone, there is a way, not necessarily an easy one. With either the four wire connector to the control board removed or the fuse feeding the main power source(there are actually 3 fuses in the step wiring), look under the retracted steps. There is a large round pin, held in place by a cotter pin. If you take those out, you will be able to get the steps to drop. In that position, there will be a lot of pressure on the big pin so getting it out isn't easy. If you can somehow cycle the steps to half way done, that same pin comes out quickly and easily.

To easily determine if the motor is truly shot, there is a plug between it and the controller. I'd physically remove the motor and use jumper wires to feed it directly from a 12 volt battery. Leaving the motor on the steps and trying to feed 12 volts to it could be very dangerous. In fact, I treat the whole step mechanism with a lot of respect anytime that I get near it.

P.S. I just had mine all apart, replaced a bad controller and rewired it without all the spices that had been put into the feed wires and door switch wires. I don't know if someone had problems or what but I've never seen wiring with so many breaks in just a short span.

John Wayne · 06-04-2008, 02:53 PM

If you can get the motor out you can find a replacement at NAPA it is a power window motor from a Ford product.

HarveyP · 06-04-2008, 07:06 PM

Mine sometimes stop extending also. I have found that if I loosten the three bolts on the circular piece next to the motor, the binding loostens and the steps will work again. Maybe once every 3 or 4 months, less than 10 minutes effort. A tech from Kwickee told me I could buy a kit to add a thrust washer to the motor for around $50. Haven't needed to yet. Good luck, HarveyP

DESERTFOX19 · 06-07-2008, 11:48 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John Wayne:
If you can get the motor out you can find a replacement at NAPA it is a power window motor from a Ford product. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That all depends on what year it was made kwikee has since 1999 till now used 5 different power window motors on there steps.

Jim Martin PA · 06-11-2008, 07:30 AM

Kwikee Website

Kwikee Tech Info

Here's few troubleshooting tips:

The slightest bind will by design stop the motor.

If the step light is operating this indicates the controller is ok.

Disconnect and clean contacts on 4-prong and power connectors. Use a good electrical contact cleaner. (Radio Shack)

Pull clevis pin and lube all pivot points. The steps must move freely otherwise the controller will interrupt the power.

It that doesn't work, pull the motor it is held in place by 3 eleven millimeter hex screws.

If these tips don't work call Kwikee. They are great people to work with.

Good luck

Jim

ROMAD · 06-11-2008, 03:46 PM

You can go on Kwikee's web site and download a copy of there training PDF that shows how to troubleshoot the steps.

Had the same problem last week and it turned out to be a binding motor. Loosened the 3 bolts holding the motor to the gear box then tightened them and everything works as advertised. Just rember to disconnect the 4 pin connector when working under the steps. If the steps move you could be injured!!