Forum Discussion

Tinstar's avatar
Tinstar
Explorer
Mar 24, 2016

Another step problem

My Kwikee double steps have started acting weird recently. I've not had a problem with them prior to this. They act like my ignition switch is on all the time (mostly). With the key in the run position, they extend and retract with the door just as they should. When I remove the key, they still extend and retract with the door (door open they extended, door closed they retract) . It's not done this in the past. They have always extended when I open the door and they stay out and don't retract until I turn the ignition back on.

I said they do this all the time (MOSTLY). Every now and then, the steps will stay out with the door closed like it is supposed to do but after an hour or a day, they will automatically retract. I was thinking a bad ground so I crawled under, cleaned the ground and reattached it. I also, worked the powered plug several times in case there might be corrosion in the connection. The last kicker is SEVERAL TIMES, the steps will retract and stay retracted and not work with the door. The only way I can get them to extend is put the key in the ignition and open the door.

I've been trying to find a troubleshooting guide on the web but haven't found a good link yet. I'm open to suggestions for a cure or a good link.
Class A

13 Replies

  • Tinstar's avatar
    Tinstar
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2016
    I sent an email to Kwikee asking which controller is the replacement for my steps. They apparently don't make the same controller that is on mine. I have a 909513. I've found one on Amazon and some people say it works but I'll wait to hear back from Kwikee.
  • Tinstar's avatar
    Tinstar
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2016
    Gjac wrote:
    What year is your MH? Sounds like you went through all the trouble shooting steps from the video? Kwickee also has a web site to test the various components with a multimeter. Sounds to me like it may be your controller. If the system is too old they won't send you just a controller they want to sell you the whole system. Once you go through all the troubleshooting steps and you determine for sure that it is the controller, it is likely a burned relay inside which can be replaced for under $4.00.


    I did the electrical test today using a charged stand alone battery. I unplugged the four prong plug to the steps. I hooked up a ground from the battery to the green wire from the controller. When I apply power to the RED wire in that plug, the steps should extend. THEY DON"T. I checked the motor, using their troubleshooting guide and it checks good, extending and retracting as it should.

    I can't check the other functions with the white, yellow and brown wires since there is no power getting out of the control unit from the red wire.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Mar 26, 2016
    What year is your MH? Sounds like you went through all the trouble shooting steps from the video? Kwickee also has a web site to test the various components with a multimeter. Sounds to me like it may be your controller. If the system is too old they won't send you just a controller they want to sell you the whole system. Once you go through all the troubleshooting steps and you determine for sure that it is the controller, it is likely a burned relay inside which can be replaced for under $4.00.
  • Tinstar's avatar
    Tinstar
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2016
    Well, I just thought I might have found it. I didn't and the steps retracted sometime overnight. Today I can't get them to extend at all. Ignition on, ignition off, door open, door closed, cleaned connector, etc. Nothing, nada, zilch. I'll try troubleshooting tomorrow and see what I can find in the electrical. I've looked for a fuse and can't find one yet.
  • DFord's avatar
    DFord
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    Use a little dielectric grease on the connectors exposed to the elements to prevent them from corroding. Check the ground wire from the steps to the frame - it's a major source of problems.
  • Tinstar's avatar
    Tinstar
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2016
    I may have found it. I located a 4 wire harness underneath. I pulled it apart and reconnected several times and they are working correctly right now. The others were single wire connections (2 or 3 of them). If they don't retract on their own later maybe that's all it was. I'll clean the connection better tomorrow and then go from there.

    rekoj71, thanks for the link. That makes troubleshooting much easier to understand.

    ksh5000 "on newer models the door still controls the step position so it will extend if the door opens even if the engine is operating." That's the way mine should work. Battery is fully charged.
  • dcbrewer's avatar
    dcbrewer
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2016
    mine has a switch beside the door, if it is on, the steps will stay out with door closed. turn switch off and steps work with door.
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2016
    Tinstar wrote:
    ksg5000 wrote:
    The door controls the step in the newer modules. Sounds like its working to me.


    No, it's not working as it should. The steps should stay out after killing the ignition and opening the door. I also shouldn't have to crawl up into the motorhome due to the steps being retracted when they should be out.


    Ignition switch is suppose to be safety override which overrides the door switch. That means that if the ignition is on and the door is closed the step retracts regardless of switch position. But on newer models the door still controls the step position so it will extend if the door opens even if the engine is operating.

    As far as the step acting weird and closing on it's own that almost always a result of lower battery or corroded ground wire. When the battery gets low or wire gets corroded the step will occasionally act like it's possessed.

    Hope this helps.
  • rekoj71's avatar
    rekoj71
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2016
    Kwikee Electric Steps Diagnostics

    https://vimeo.com/45602427

    even though I didn't have their fancy test connector I was able to read the wiring from the RV to be sure that was working and with a couple of jumper wires still tested the steps.
  • Tinstar's avatar
    Tinstar
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2016
    ksg5000 wrote:
    The door controls the step in the newer modules. Sounds like its working to me.


    No, it's not working as it should. The steps should stay out after killing the ignition and opening the door. I also shouldn't have to crawl up into the motorhome due to the steps being retracted when they should be out.

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