How to keep steps extended

I am very perplexed. I have searched high and low and don't see any post about this specific problem. My Kwikee steps work exactly as intended, when the switch is off, (or on), doesn't matter. In ONE position, it works with the door. Extended when the door is open, retracted when the door is closed. In the other position, the steps lock and stay in the RETRACTED position, not extended as they should. I have seen many variations of step problems, but never this.

I have replaced the controller. I have checked and have the following:

RED-Hot 12 volts all the time.

WHITE-This is the wire connected to that ON/Off switch to keep extended. I have 12 V and 0 V, on and off with the switch.

BROWN-goes to magnetic door switch. 12 V on and off with door opened and closed.

YELLOW--- Goes to the Ignition Key activated override. 12 V on and off with ignition switch.

The controller has been changed. This problem existed with the old and new controller.

Here's the thing. When the switch is in the position to allow the steps to operate, they works EXACTLY like they are supposed to, door open-steps extended, door closed-steps retract. This confirms the motor is good, step direction is correct, door switch is correct type and operating as should. Controller is correct. (replaced with new controller of same part no.

When I put the switch in the position to lock steps in extended position, if they are retracted, they stay retracted, regardless of door opened or closed. If they are extended, when I close the door they retract, and stay retracted, (exactly opposite of what they are supposed to do). And Kwikee has zero tech support. Anybody have this experience with this problem? Email me directly if you like. Coppersilverado@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Doug

Ignition off, Parking brake on, tranny in Park, and Entry Step switch off always makes mine do the right thing.

Try turning the switch to off then open the door. They should then extend and stay extended.

Sometimes it seems like ours gets confused...OK, I'll admit it, I'm the one confused on why they act like they do, but they always settle in. :B

Switches can go bad but it is fairly rare. I would carefully go underneath your steps and look at the plug where your steps plug in to the electrical system. Make sure that all power is off to the steps so that they do not extend or retract while you are under them. Take the plug and unplug it and reconnect it several times to clean the connections. I like to use dielectric grease on all of my outside electrical connections. After you do this a few times to clean the connections, see if that has corrected your problem. This is an electrical connection that gets a lot of water and dirt and sometimes the contacts corrode to the point of failure.

D.E.Bishop wrote:
The info you have received so far is pretty much accurate, however, if it were me I would start by going to the following site and downloading the manual #888, Kwikee Manual #888.

Chris Bryant also has it on his site I believe. Now you have the trouble shooting instructions and a schematic of the electrical.

The fuse for my controller was installed by Fleetwood and not in a (in my case)a Chevy panel. It is, however, marked step fuse and comes directly off the battery. There are two fuses and I forget where the other fuse is located. I'm not in my MoHo so I don't have my wiring diagrams.



I will tell you up front, I don't think there is a blown fuse, if there was your steps wouldn't work. With the manual in hand and a test light or a DMM you should be in great shape for finding the problem.

As suggested, the override switch may be near the door, then again like mine, it may be on the dash.

"I will tell you up front, I don't think there is a blown fuse, if there was your steps wouldn't work. With the manual in hand and a test light or a DMM you should be in great shape for finding the problem".

Did you READ my post? There are 2 fuses and the extend step fuse is separate from the step operation fuse. If the Extend step fuse is blown the step will still operate, depending on the year model of the step. Regardless of year model, if the 5 amp fuse is blown and door is closed, it will ALWAYS retract when the ignition is ON. He needs to verify the WHITE wire at the step connections underneath. BEFORE he does anything else. The 5 amp step fuse is NEVER connected to the chassis fuse block on almost all motorhomes. Doug

I Should have explained the difference over the years The old(more than 10 years ago) the WHITE wire when no 12 volt power the steps stayed extended. The newer, when the WHITE wire HAS 12 volt power the steps stay extended. That is the reason you look for that 5 amp fuse.

Check the ground wire connections, very close. Poor grounds can cause weird things.

The info you have received so far is pretty much accurate, however, if it were me I would start by going to the following site and downloading the manual #888, Kwikee Manual #888.

Chris Bryant also has it on his site I believe. Now you have the trouble shooting instructions and a schematic of the electrical.

The fuse for my controller was installed by Fleetwood and not in a (in my case)a Chevy panel. It is, however, marked step fuse and comes directly off the battery. There are two fuses and I forget where the other fuse is located. I'm not in my MoHo so I don't have my wiring diagrams.

I will tell you up front, I don't think there is a blown fuse, if there was your steps wouldn't work. With the manual in hand and a test light or a DMM you should be in great shape for finding the problem.

As suggested, the override switch may be near the door, then again like mine, it may be on the dash.

Just having the KEY in the ignition does NOTHING on any motorhome or car. You must TURN that key to activate anything.
Steps have just 4 wires
RED----Hot 12 volts all the time
WHITE----This is the wire connected to that ON/Off switch to keep extended
BROWN----goes to the Door Pin/Magnetic Open and close switch
YELLOW--- Goes to the Ignition Key activated override.

IF that white wire has 12 volts(switch) is activated, the steps open and close when the Door opens and closes. Now, Kwikkee changed the way this switch operates a few years ago. It USED to be the switch OFF, the steps stayed extended for camping. Now, the switch when ON the steps stay extended. I know it does not make sense but it does to Kwikee. So, If your steps will not stay extended regardless of where that switch is, THAT is the circuit you are troubleshooting. There are 2 fuses for a Step. A LARGE amp fuse(usually larger than 20 amp) for the main power(RED wire). Then there is that 5 amp fuse that activates this WHITE wire switch for locking the steps extended. 99% of the time, THIS 5 amp fuse is blown. Find it and verify it is OK. Doug

I'm not the original poster but mine recently started doing the same thing. I've not checked it out any more than the original poster. Mine has always locked in the out position until 3 or 4 weeks ago. Now it's in all the time unless I turn the key on and open the door. I go outside with the key in my pocket and as soon as I close the door, the steps retract. AGGRAVATION!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll watch the thread.

rekoj71 wrote:
If the keys are in the ignition it will override the switch.

huh???? If you're saying what I think you're saying, I think you're a bit mistaken. Just having the keys in the ignition has no bearing on anything in the coach. Now, if the ignition is ON, then yes, that overrides the door switch when the door is closed.

As long as the OPs ignition is OFF, the step SHOULD remain extended when the door is open and closed, if things were wired correctly.

Now, generally, on a Kwikee step, the control switch has two positions. In one position, the step will extend, the first time the door is opened after the ignition has been shut down and the coach is parked. And, it (the step) will remain in the extended position, no matter how many times the door is opened or closed.

When the control switch is in the other position, even with the ignition OFF, the step will automatically retract, each time the door is closed. That is setup that way so that in close quarter camping conditions, i.e. little to no room for walking along side the coach, the step is not in the way when things are closed up. And, that also provides for less knee and shin injuries in close camping quarters.

But, since the OP states that, no matter what position the control switch is in, the step retracts. So, to me, just like what's been stated, either something's wrong or, the control switch has been bypassed. I know how they're supposed to work but, I'm not sure how to trouble shoot a problem like this.
Scott