Forum Discussion

firedog's avatar
firedog
Explorer
Feb 13, 2017

Electric steps continually trying to retract

When we open the door, I turn off steps, close door great. When I turn steps on, open and shut door the steps retract and keep trying to retract, after a couple of seconds they finally stop in place where they are supposed to be. This is Firedog's better half, I hope I explained it well enough for you to understand the issue. We have a 2010 Monticeto by Thor. Thank you, Ann

5 Replies

  • I am currently experiencing what I think may or may not be a similar problem.

    Mine started acting up just a week before I put the rig away for the winter back in November, so I didn't have much time to investigate. However, from what I could tell with mine, it seems that the gear box was slipping - as if a tooth may have broken on a gear inside. When my steps either retract or extend, they get to a certain point then start to "skip" (for lack of a better term). I then have to help them either all the way in or out until the unit shuts off. But, even then the steps are not "locked" in place, either fully extended or retracted. It seems that I'm going to have to replace the gear unit, as the motor works fine and seemingly the limit switches are working fine.
  • First I'd find the door switch. Remove it, check the connections. If they are dirty clean them. You can also take apart the switch itself to see if there is any "junk" in there.
  • firedog wrote:
    When we open the door, I turn off steps, close door great. When I turn steps on, open and shut door the steps retract and keep trying to retract, after a couple of seconds they finally stop in place where they are supposed to be. This is Firedog's better half, I hope I explained it well enough for you to understand the issue. We have a 2010 Monticeto by Thor. Thank you, Ann

    Could be as simple as the door sw. and many times the door is just out of kilter a bit.
  • I had an issue similar on our Coach. I took the motor off and matched it up on Amazon.com and ordered a new motor assembly. I read where the hard plastic bushings inside the motor break down and grind up. I was curious and opened the old motor up and one of the plastic bushings was fine pieces of plastic, the other two were like new.