My electric steps come out when I turn on my headlights

Executive wrote:

schlep1967 wrote:
Maybe I'm thinking backwards here. If he "energizes" his headlights and the steps operate, wouldn't that mean his headlights are searching for and finding a good ground through the steps circuit? I'd be checking the headlight ground.

You're correct in that the issue could be with either. That said, it's most likely a grounding issue with the steps as they take the most beating being outside in the weather. Also, it's the easiest fix as you don't have to be a contortionist to access them. Realistically, I'd take another wire and ground the steps ensuring a good ground. If the issue is resolved, then I'd do a permanent fix. If not, then I'd explore the light switch also..could be either, but my money is on the steps....Dennis

Reprinted with emphasis added...Do the easy stuff first....Dennis

emsrvs wrote:
Doug.....The same problem occurs when I turn on the parking or running lights.

OK. That points to the Door Step switch wires are connected to the RUNNING light wires. If you have a running light close to the Entry door, I would check its wiring and see if the step door switch wires are connected. The door switch wires are usually less than 4 feet long. They go from the 4 prong step quick connect. BUT, only 1 wire goes from the Magnet in the door to the 4 pin. The FEED ground can come from any ground source. So, if the FEED ground is connected to a Clearance light ground, I guess that small feed back would cause the step to open and close. If I had your unit in the shop, the first thing I would do is run a new ground to the magnet and a new ground from the magnet to the step control harness. Does not take long and removes that as a variable. Doug

emsrvs wrote:
Could the problem be a defective headlight switch?

You have to dig deeper. A faulty headlight switch can't control the steps unless they are already somehow connected. My guess would be they are connected by the same power supply or more likely the same ground. That connection is more likely the problem than the switch itself.

Could the problem be a defective headlight switch?

Doug.....The same problem occurs when I turn on the parking or running lights.

I'll check the ground wire for the steps and I'll let you know what happens. Thanks....Ernie

Steps use a Open/Closed ground signal from the door switch to open and close the steps. The steps themselves have their own ground wire. I doubt the STEP GROUND is the problem. I would suspect that somehow the Door Pin switch wire is somehow connected to the Headlight harness. Since the steps seem to always extend and retract(the op can confirm), with the headlight switch with no failure to do so, he needs to verify the 2 Ground wires coming from the door switch are not interconnected somehow to the headlight OR the Running light circuit. Has the OP verified that it is malfunctioning when just turning the running lights ON without going to the headlight position? I suspect the Running lights will cause the problem also. Doug

ksg5000 wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
On my Monaco it was labeled "Steps on-off" and it does exactly what you described. ON mine as soon as you started the engine the steps would retract regardless of the switch position.

As I understand it the steps are suppose to retract when engine is started (regardless of switch position) - think it's a safety measure.

yep, enough people were ripping their steps off when they drove away.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
On my Monaco it was labeled "Steps on-off" and it does exactly what you described. ON mine as soon as you started the engine the steps would retract regardless of the switch position.

As I understand it the steps are suppose to retract when engine is started (regardless of switch position) - think it's a safety measure.

schlep1967 wrote:
Maybe I'm thinking backwards here. If he "energizes" his headlights and the steps operate, wouldn't that mean his headlights are searching for and finding a good ground through the steps circuit? I'd be checking the headlight ground.

You're correct in that the issue could be with either. That said, it's most likely a grounding issue with the steps as they take the most beating being outside in the weather. Also, it's the easiest fix as you don't have to be a contortionist to access them. Realistically, I'd take another wire and ground the steps ensuring a good ground. If the issue is resolved, then I'd do a permanent fix. If not, then I'd explore the light switch also..could be either, but my money is on the steps....Dennis