entry step Kwickee

[weinturv]

We have a 2013 Winnie Vista 27N purchased in May 2013. We have had a chronic problem with the entry step, an intermittent problem. I have had it in to the dealer 3 times...of course, the problem does not occur when at the dealer. The entry step switch which allows the step to come out only when the screen door is opened...sometimes the step does not come out and we are stuck getting out with one giant step to the ground or one giant leap up into the rig. When it started in doing this in July, I did crawl under it and pull the electrical connectors apart and push them back together. and that worked for awhile. it is with the dealer now. We have no idea when the problem will occur...and then after a few days it works. We carry an extra step stool.....anyone have a similar problem and how was it fixed?

[ksg5000]

Most step issues are related to corroded grounds and/or mediocre/bad batteries. Corroded ground ups the power needed to energize the motor and that often is enough to make step function erratic as battery runs down.

[Artum_Snowbird]

A worthwhile thing to check is to disconnect the motor, and hook up a meter to the motor leads. If you have a short burst of power to the motor when you open the screen door, and then the power cuts off, you are going out on motor overload. The symptoms are exactly the same, it does not move, but it takes you to different things to check.

Mine did that, and I ended up loosening the nuts to hold the unit onto the chassis, and then it ran perfectly without going into overload. I put some shims under the nuts and that solved it.

[Dale_Traveling]

Couple of thinks to check when it fails.

The steps have a light that will come on when the door switch is triggered. You won't notice the light except at night and it's usually orange/yellow. Made to help you see the steps. No light no door switch activation. Use it to half split the system for troubleshooting the system.

The steps are usually but not always powered off the chassis or engine battery. You will need to extend the steps before disconnecting the chassis battery if disconnecting is part of you camping routine.

Final item is the ground wire and lug from the steps to the chassis. Needs to be clean, bright and shiny. The steps can be sensitive to a ground with a bit of resistance.

Beyond these quick checks you'll be getting into warranty areas. If they can't figure out the problem this time keep a video camera close and film it next time so you can add that to your demand to replace the steps.

[Executive45]

If you unplugged and replugged the wiring and it worked ok for awhile, I would suspect a bad wire. Inspect the wires for any damage and/or corrosion. When you unplug them use a dielectric grease (avail at Home Depot) on them before plugging them back in. Also ensure the connectors are tight....also, make sure the magnets on the door are aligned....Dennis

[elcriollo1]

We had the same problem with our Vista. Could not make it happen at the repair shop but only at the campgrounds. I complained to Kwikee and they blew me off. Then I wrote to Winnebago and Kwikee replaced the motor and the control box under their warranty. I paid for labor only, about $50.
Check your documents, the steps have an extended warranty period.
Good luck
Henry

[tomousecap]

Had the same symptoms and it was an open segment on the motor armature. When ever it stopped on the bad spot, it would stop working. I could whack the motor and get it going sometimes, but that finally stopped helping and had to replace the motor which fixed it.