Electric side entry step problem

[ThorMan]

Sitting in our motor home last night watching TV I heard a strange noise, looked out the window to see if maybe the neighbor was working on his rig, nope no one outside, this happened a few times before I realized it was my step motor coming on and off, all on its own, then it stopped. Now the step will not retract, even if I start the MH up and retract the levelers. Any idea what to check? Is there a way to manually retract the step?

[wa8yxm]

The problem is likely the door switch coupled with the override switch either beign OFF or the fuse blown.

But.. to manually retract KWIKEE steps (may apply to other brands)

Pull the motor plug to insure they do not bite you

From underneath look at the assembley there is a box the motor attaches to (Transmiossion) with an arm. the arm connects (Eventually) to another thing that pushes the steps out or pulls 'em in using a common clevis type pin with a cotter key.. Put somthing under the steps so they don't come back and bite you (Some leveling blovcks or even a kitchen pan)

Pull cotter key, drive pin out.

Steps should now "Swing" Free (Why you bloked 'em)

Push 'em into the retracted posiotion and bungee in place for the drive to fix it shop. Use a step box of some kind to get in and out (Attach a light weight rope to step box so you can pull it up and in once inside the RV.

[John_S_]

I had that issue and changed out both. It was about a 140 bucks and an hours labor.

[ThorMan]

Took it to a dealer in Ocala on my way to my next destination they diagnosed it as a bad control module AND a bad motor. two and a half hours later, and much lighter wallet I was on my way again.

Got to my next destination, sprung a very bad leak in my hydraulic levelers. When it rains it pours.

[ksg5000]

Every time my steps act like they are possessed it has turned out to be low battery +/or corroded ground.

[DutchmenSport]

garyemunson wrote:
... Steps going nuts are frequently the control module.

Um???? You ARE describing my mother-in-law! :B

[ThorMan]

It is a Lippert brand step. I am in a camp ground, and was supposed to leave here today. As much as I hate to say this (hangs head in shame) I have an RV service company coming out this morning to diagnose and hopefully repair it.

[dougrainer]

The step is independent of everything on your Motorhome. It will operate regardless of slides/jacks/ anything. So, you need to state Year/Brand of RV and Brand of step. From your description both LCI and Kwikee(the brands of steps) will do what you state if they have a bad motor. Manual retract info depends on what Brand step you have. Doug

[dodge_guy]

Yes, pull the power before working on the steps. It may be low voltage or the magnetic switch mat be out of adjustment.

[midnightsadie]

some times low 12v will cause things to happen.

[garyemunson]

First things first. When doing ANYTHING on power steps, remove the power before you do anything. If you don't know which breaker/fuse, unhook ALL your batteries (chassis, too, many steps are powered by them) or cut the wires. Many a finger has been lost by a malfunctioning step. Once power is removed, there is a mechanical link that can be unbolted and the steps tied up. Steps going nuts are frequently the control module.