KWIKEE STEP MOTOR REPLACEMENT SERIES 32
NOTE THIS THREAD IS VERY OLD I HAVE SINCE DROPPED THE PHOTOS FROM MY HOSTING SITE. I had problems with my Kwikee step Series 32. The steps on occasion would not retract. I had to tap the moto...
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OK, Series 40 high torque motor replacement in and working. Used a Dorman 742-277 purchased at Autozone for $52.99. Amazon has them for $45.04 and includes free shipping. But since I was in uncharted territory I wanted to check fit myself and that was easier in person. Plus, since the Dorman’s have a limited lifetime warranty, it’s easier to handle over the counter when it fries.
The Dorman was the same size, same screw hole positions and rotation, same size 9-tooth gear. The electrical connector was on the opposite side of the OE motor, but this makes absolutely no difference. The connector itself is a different shape as well, though the Dorman’s come with multiple pigtails to convert. However, the supplied pigtails still didn’t convert to the OE connector so I simply took one of the supplied pigtails, lopped off the end that didn’t plug into the motor, lopped off the OE connector and, using butt connectors, crimped the wires together. Wrapped tape around them (will use heat shrink next time I’m down there) to be safe. Fired it up and it worked perfectly the first time. Problem solved, savings of at least $175 versus what Kwikee told me which was that I needed the full IMGL replacement kit. Plus, much faster to just replace the motor as opposed to everything.
Note that when removing the OE motor, do so gently as there is a plastic motor gear case adapter (basically a large plastic washer) between the motor and the gear case. After it being down there under pressure for over 8 years I cracked it slightly when removing it. Some liquid plastic welding cement (comes in a two-tube syringe like epoxy) solved that problem though.
Also note that there are at least three other Dorman motors that look the same, at least in pictures from their catalog (742-251, 742-256, and 742-412). These may work as well or even better; you want as much torque as possible for these high torque units. Since Autozone doesn’t normally stock any of these though I couldn’t look at all of them and Dorman doesn’t post tech specs anywhere I could find. The one I used, 742-277, has a sticker that says 13 Nm of torque. And it works. But it’s possible that the others have even more torque and would be a better long term fit.
The Dorman was the same size, same screw hole positions and rotation, same size 9-tooth gear. The electrical connector was on the opposite side of the OE motor, but this makes absolutely no difference. The connector itself is a different shape as well, though the Dorman’s come with multiple pigtails to convert. However, the supplied pigtails still didn’t convert to the OE connector so I simply took one of the supplied pigtails, lopped off the end that didn’t plug into the motor, lopped off the OE connector and, using butt connectors, crimped the wires together. Wrapped tape around them (will use heat shrink next time I’m down there) to be safe. Fired it up and it worked perfectly the first time. Problem solved, savings of at least $175 versus what Kwikee told me which was that I needed the full IMGL replacement kit. Plus, much faster to just replace the motor as opposed to everything.
Note that when removing the OE motor, do so gently as there is a plastic motor gear case adapter (basically a large plastic washer) between the motor and the gear case. After it being down there under pressure for over 8 years I cracked it slightly when removing it. Some liquid plastic welding cement (comes in a two-tube syringe like epoxy) solved that problem though.
Also note that there are at least three other Dorman motors that look the same, at least in pictures from their catalog (742-251, 742-256, and 742-412). These may work as well or even better; you want as much torque as possible for these high torque units. Since Autozone doesn’t normally stock any of these though I couldn’t look at all of them and Dorman doesn’t post tech specs anywhere I could find. The one I used, 742-277, has a sticker that says 13 Nm of torque. And it works. But it’s possible that the others have even more torque and would be a better long term fit.
