 |
03-08-2013, 06:27 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: East Texas
Posts: 2,271
|
Electric Step won’t Fully Retract
My Kiwkee electric entry won’t fully retract on it’s own. If I open & close the door 5 or 6 times, I can eventually coax it to fully retract. I’ve lubed the pivot points well, but this has done no good.
Is this an easy fix or a difficult one? I have an extended warranty with a $50 deductible, so if it’s something expensive or complicated I can easily take it in. If it’s something inexpensive and easy, I’m more than willing to do it myself.
Thanks.
Craig
__________________
2005 Fleetwood Providence 39J CAT C7 350, MP-8 Power Module
My wife does all the driving - I just hold the wheel...
|
|
|
 |
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
03-08-2013, 06:35 PM
|
#2
|
Community Administrator
RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 54,636
|
I would take a look at the ground wire thats attached to the chassis. Take it off and clean any corrosion off.
Cliff
__________________
Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
|
|
|
03-08-2013, 06:48 PM
|
#3
|
Community Administrator
RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 54,636
|
Here's the manual in case you need it. It shows how to do various troubleshooting.
http://www.rvtechlibrary.com/exterio...ers_manual.pdf
Good luck and update us when you can.
Cliff
__________________
Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
|
|
|
03-08-2013, 09:04 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Kansas City, MO./Pollock, LA.
Posts: 1,556
|
Lube all the pivot points, even the ones under the steps. The motor stops when it feels excessive pressure (binding?).
You can pull the pin on the end of the motor arm and see if the steps move in and out freely.
While it is disconnected you can run the motor (open and close the door) and see if it is operating properly.
__________________
06 Hurricane 34FT WH W20 Chassis 8.1L 132K, Steersafe, Koni Shocks, DIY Trac Bar, Tri-Metric 2025RV Battery Monitor, 4-6V Batteries, Scan Gauge 2, Crossfires, 735W Solar Morningstar MPPT-60, WG T4 In-Motion Sat, XM Radio, 07 Chevy Malibu Maxx Toad, Falcon 2, Brake Buddy, Escapee
|
|
|
03-08-2013, 10:23 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,654
|
The arms can bend, they are rated for several hundred pounds, but some folks land harder and off Center or the steps drag if moved while open.
We rebuilt ours, doubled the long arms and added axles so they come out straight.
If you pull the pin they should move all the way, if one arm is slightly bent the step will bind, the controller will sense this and stop the motor.
Long pipes or large cresent wrenches can be used to straighten in place, can remove and use hammer, but since you have service with deductabe and if bent be sure you can prove it with straight edge or ruler, then insist it be replaced as a unit.
Ask about upgrade to heavy duty if possible.
__________________
Tony & Lori
1989 Country Coach Savannah SE
|
|
|
03-08-2013, 10:49 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 210
|
I had the same problem few months back. Eventually it stopped working all together. I went and bought a new motor for it. It was really easy to change. 3 bolts and a cannon plug.
|
|
|
03-09-2013, 09:40 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: East Texas
Posts: 2,271
|
Thanks!
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
I'm going to attempt some of your suggestions this weekend and see what develops.
Craig
__________________
2005 Fleetwood Providence 39J CAT C7 350, MP-8 Power Module
My wife does all the driving - I just hold the wheel...
|
|
|
03-09-2013, 01:44 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: East Texas
Posts: 2,271
|
I thought I would start with the easiest "fix" first. I've been using Kwik Lube from Kwikee for years, but recently ran out, so I used WD40 the last time I lubed the step pivot points. When I couldn't find Kwikee lube at my local RV dealer, I posted a message in another forum, asking if anyone had success with an alternative spray lube. Several members suggested motorcycle chain spray lube. I don't have motorcycles anymore but I still have a couple cans of chain lube. I sprayed the chain lube on the pivot points, and whoa-la....problem solved! The chain lube sprays out in a thick foam and seems to penetrate better than WD40. This did the trick and the steps now fully retract.
Thanks everyone.
Craig
__________________
2005 Fleetwood Providence 39J CAT C7 350, MP-8 Power Module
My wife does all the driving - I just hold the wheel...
|
|
|
03-09-2013, 10:35 PM
|
#9
|
Junior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 21
|
Had the same problem. Used white lithium grease on all the pivoting points, ran the steps in and out 4 or 5 times and voila, problem solved.
|
|
|
03-10-2013, 08:03 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tasmania now, USA/Canada/Alaska in April
Posts: 2,473
|
WD40 isn't a heavy-duty lubricant so not much good for this application.
__________________
Tony Lee - International Grey Nomad. Picasa Album - Travel Map
RVs. USA - Airstream Cutter; in Australia - MC8 40' DIY Coach conversion & OKA 4x4 MH; in Germany - Hobby Class C; in S America - F350 with 2500 10.6 Bigfoot camper
|
|
|
03-10-2013, 08:53 AM
|
#11
|
Junior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 21
|
Not a big fan of WD40 for much of anything except for removing sticky labels. It evaporates off quickly and leaves a sometimes sticky residue behind. Greases, oils and silicon are better lubricants.
|
|
|
03-18-2013, 01:58 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Near BEAUMONT, TX.
Posts: 440
|
WD 40 isn't a lubricator, the WD stands for water displacement. As said earlier it will leave a sticky service and create more problems.
__________________
Bob (RVM 27), now solo (3/26/16) with 3 cats, - Full timing during the summer
"Roughing It Smoothly" in a 1994 34' Allegro Bay DP
All of 190 horses but 11 MPG. 0 TO 60 in 62 sec. :flowers
|
|
|
 |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|