Auto step just stopped working

THANK YOU GARY!!!

The step seems slow when you're waiting for it, but lightning fast when you don't expect it to run. That, and the motor mechanism, along with the bracing for the step treads, work with a scissoring action that can cause serious injury.

Mr. Bishop is correct about #888 if the coach is a 2008.

I've had two problems with ours, which is older and uses Manual #875.

First problem, WIRING! Specifically the wiring of Coach TO Step. No problem in the Step itself. In our case the coach builder brought four light gauge wire (say 14 or 16) into a butt connector meant for larger wire (say 10 or 12) and tried to make the four way splice with two wires into each end of the larger connector. Maybe I shouldn't complain, it ran a dozen years or so like that...

Second problem was within the Motor, but I was able to fix it with one of the HELP line (from Dorman, at auto supply stores) kits that repairs a stripped clutch in the motor's gearbox. Commonly used on older Ford window motors.

That's been it. I think they'll last a long time if:

We keep it lubed
We don't put weight onto it till it's all the way down/open
We put blocks or one of those little props under it when we'll be set up awhile

All of these make sure the only strain on motor and gearbox is what's needed to open and close a freely working step.

Be VERY careful working on a power step. They can remove a finger in a heartbeat. If you are unsure of what you are doing, take it to a pro. To check them out, be sure to remove ALL power. If uncertain how to do that, physically unhook ALL batteries (steps are sometimes hooked to the chassis battery) and shore power. You can then unhook the link from the motor to the step assembly so you can manually move the steps to access the motor and control box. Keep in mind that the steps can shift just by gravity or someone could walk against them while your fingers are in the wrong place. As long as you know what you are doing, fine, if not, take it somewhere to have it fixed. The motors are the most likely culprit for intermittent operation followed by connector plugs, switch on door, then the control box. Being a 2008, my money is on the motor.

My belief is that Kwikee uses 2nds on that motor

Try (DO THIS CAREFULLY, "Thunking" the motor a few times. the handle of a hammer or .. I use both a hammer handle (From under the RV and a walking stick (from beside the RV.

Tunk it hard enough to shake it up a bit but not hard enough to damage. three or 4 times and try again.

I wound up making a slight adjustment but that requiers you open the transmission and move the gears a bit. So the motor stops on a different spot.

SJ-Chris, You've been a member long enough to know make and model should be in the post.

If you feel safe checking it yourself, the manual has step by step trouble shooting instructions. If you don't have the manual, google the manual. If it is a Kwikee, go for manual #888.

How to repair the step is simple amd requires very few tools. Come back with the info on make and model and the trouble according to the manual, bad motor or what ever.

Do get back to us.

It could be a bad sensor switch that is mounted on the door frame ... or an open or short in the wiring going to this sensor switch.

First check to see if you have power going to the step. If not check the fuse, it should be an inline fuse from the battery to the step motor.