Entry Steps
We have a Class A 42E Itasca Meridian. Our entry steps do not go down when we open the motorhome door.
Forum Discussion
...If everything already mentioned doesn't help (all good suggestions), and you hear nothing from the steps, no indication it is 'trying' to come out....You may well have a bad, burnt out motor.
One way to tell: Crawl underneath the steps, RV, and disconnect the connector, wires going to the motor that moves the steps. If you have a voltmeter that measures continuity, hook it across the two leads going to the motor, see if it beeps or whatever it does, when there is continuity, a 'closed' circuit with little resistance. If you get the beep indicating continuity between the two motor leads/wires, then the motor is shot. Time to order and put in a new motor.
I just went through exactly this with our steps a few months ago. Unit was just 4 years old, entry steps quit working. Was suspicious it was the motor from the get-go, so first thing I did was continuity test to see if motor was shorted out internally, and it was. Fortunately, as I recall the new motor only costed just under $100, and I was able to put it in myself. Same thing happened with the motor on our electric awning a few months before, and I was able to replace that one myself, too.
I'm starting to see a pattern with our MH - Right at 4 years old, seems electric motors that are outside, exposed to the elements, are starting to go. First the awning, then the steps. Only other motor outside I can think of (but am afraid to), is the one for the hydraulic jacks. Sure hope it ain't gonna be next, haha.
One way to tell: Crawl underneath the steps, RV, and disconnect the connector, wires going to the motor that moves the steps. If you have a voltmeter that measures continuity, hook it across the two leads going to the motor, see if it beeps or whatever it does, when there is continuity, a 'closed' circuit with little resistance. If you get the beep indicating continuity between the two motor leads/wires, then the motor is shot. Time to order and put in a new motor.
I just went through exactly this with our steps a few months ago. Unit was just 4 years old, entry steps quit working. Was suspicious it was the motor from the get-go, so first thing I did was continuity test to see if motor was shorted out internally, and it was. Fortunately, as I recall the new motor only costed just under $100, and I was able to put it in myself. Same thing happened with the motor on our electric awning a few months before, and I was able to replace that one myself, too.
I'm starting to see a pattern with our MH - Right at 4 years old, seems electric motors that are outside, exposed to the elements, are starting to go. First the awning, then the steps. Only other motor outside I can think of (but am afraid to), is the one for the hydraulic jacks. Sure hope it ain't gonna be next, haha.
