How to keep steps extended

[2cAmerica]

Trying to have the steps on our 2008 Bounder 35E remain extended during our stay. There is a switch near the exit steps and have tried switch in ON position after door opens. However, when door is closed the steps retract. Also, tried when opening door and steps are extracted, have the switch turned to OFF. Again, when door closes the steps retract. Apprecriate comment(s) what I am failing to do in order to have steps remain extracted regardless of door being opened or closed, until starting engine. Thank-you. :?
Dick

[Hudsoner]

About a month ago, my step system started to act up. No matter which position the door switch is in, the steps retract when the door is closed. It makes no difference whether the ignition is on or not or whether a key is inserted. The steps act as if the override/off switch is not existing.
For the time being, I bypassed the door switch with a manual on/off switch and operate the steps with this switch.

[usersmanual]

doxiemom11 wrote:
We have to open our door with the switch on. Shut switch off, then close door. Steps then stay open. No keys in ignition either.

well as u can see you have a problem somewhere as that's not how there supposed to work
stairs should always open when u open door no matter if the switch is on or off. They also should close(retract) when you start the vehicle even if the switch(out setting) was on. the out switch is only there to keep steps out when sitting in a camp ground for a few days etc

[doxiemom11]

We have to open our door with the switch on. Shut switch off, then close door. Steps then stay open. No keys in ignition either.

[coppersilverado]

dougrainer wrote:

coppersilverado wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

coppersilverado wrote:
I am very perplexed. I have searched high and low and don't see any post about this specific problem. My Kwikee steps work exactly as intended, when the switch is off, (or on), doesn't matter. In ONE position, it works with the door. Extended when the door is open, retracted when the door is closed. In the other position, the steps lock and stay in the RETRACTED position, not extended as they should. I have seen many variations of step problems, but never this.

I have replaced the controller. I have checked and have the following:

RED-Hot 12 volts all the time.

WHITE-This is the wire connected to that ON/Off switch to keep extended. I have 12 V and 0 V, on and off with the switch.

BROWN-goes to magnetic door switch. 12 V on and off with door opened and closed.

YELLOW--- Goes to the Ignition Key activated override. 12 V on and off with ignition switch.

The controller has been changed. This problem existed with the old and new controller.

Here's the thing. When the switch is in the position to allow the steps to operate, they works EXACTLY like they are supposed to, door open-steps extended, door closed-steps retract. This confirms the motor is good, step direction is correct, door switch is correct type and operating as should. Controller is correct. (replaced with new controller of same part no.

When I put the switch in the position to lock steps in extended position, if they are retracted, they stay retracted, regardless of door opened or closed. If they are extended, when I close the door they retract, and stay retracted, (exactly opposite of what they are supposed to do). And Kwikee has zero tech support. Anybody have this experience with this problem? Email me directly if you like. Coppersilverado@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Doug

The BROWN wire is a ground(negative) current wire. You should NOT have 12 volts on that wire at anytime. Odds are the MOTOR 2 wires are reversed. When you reverse the motor wires, what happens is what happened to you. In conjunction with the WRONG door switch. Doug

Doug,

Thanks for your reply. Not sure if I am using this board correctly, but I will see when I post, if my reply to your reply shows up correctly.

At any rate, I must admit that in my original post, I used the copy and paste to grab the "wire descriptions" from someone else's post. I know.....lazy. lol But, in doing so I also copied a mistake. Let me try a new description.

I have checked this directly from the "Owners manual #888: Kwikee Electric Steps":

The RED wire has 12 V all the time.

The WHITE wire has 12 V when the override switch is on, and 0 V when the override switch is off. (this is the switch that should lock the steps in the extended position)


There is 0 V BETWEEN the RED and BROWN when the door is open, and 12 V BETWEEN the RED and BROWN when the door is closed.

The YELLOW wire has 12 V with the ignition on, and 0 V with the ignition switch off.

The controller is a rectangle shape. (I see references to the square shape with a right triangle on one side)

The door switch is a black N.O. switch.

With the override switch in the on/closed/12V position, the steps operate normally with the door, door open-steps extend, door closed, steps retract.

With the override switch in the off/open/0V position, the steps retract and stay retracted, with the door open or closed. (should stay extended)

Thanks,
Doug

PS..in talking with Winnebago, they have told me they do not know what this rectangle control module is:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/49350282?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227036927863&wl0=&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=58505470298&wl4=pla-91204882418&wl5=9022931&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=49350282&wl13=&veh=sem


and that I need the one that is shaped like a square with a right triangle on the side.

http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://www.pdxrv.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/kwikee_step_control_module.JPG&target=tlx_new&title=Kwikee Step Electronic Control Module Kit, 909510000

The FIRST link is for an OLD SCS Frigette step. Now it is Coach/LCI step company. IF you have this module on your RV, THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM. Get the correct module. Doug

DONE! That was it. Believe it or not, I put the correct module on. Then, with the black NO magnetic switch, the steps operated extended with the door closed, retracted with the door open, and as ALWAYS, steps stay retracted with the bypass switch on. Then I reversed the motor wires. Wala! Steps down when door opens, and steps up with door closed. With bypass switch on, the steps extend and stay that way, door open or closed! Thanks again to all for your help. Have a great day Doug.

Sincerely,
Doug

[dougrainer]

coppersilverado wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

coppersilverado wrote:
I am very perplexed. I have searched high and low and don't see any post about this specific problem. My Kwikee steps work exactly as intended, when the switch is off, (or on), doesn't matter. In ONE position, it works with the door. Extended when the door is open, retracted when the door is closed. In the other position, the steps lock and stay in the RETRACTED position, not extended as they should. I have seen many variations of step problems, but never this.

I have replaced the controller. I have checked and have the following:

RED-Hot 12 volts all the time.

WHITE-This is the wire connected to that ON/Off switch to keep extended. I have 12 V and 0 V, on and off with the switch.

BROWN-goes to magnetic door switch. 12 V on and off with door opened and closed.

YELLOW--- Goes to the Ignition Key activated override. 12 V on and off with ignition switch.

The controller has been changed. This problem existed with the old and new controller.

Here's the thing. When the switch is in the position to allow the steps to operate, they works EXACTLY like they are supposed to, door open-steps extended, door closed-steps retract. This confirms the motor is good, step direction is correct, door switch is correct type and operating as should. Controller is correct. (replaced with new controller of same part no.

When I put the switch in the position to lock steps in extended position, if they are retracted, they stay retracted, regardless of door opened or closed. If they are extended, when I close the door they retract, and stay retracted, (exactly opposite of what they are supposed to do). And Kwikee has zero tech support. Anybody have this experience with this problem? Email me directly if you like. Coppersilverado@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Doug

The BROWN wire is a ground(negative) current wire. You should NOT have 12 volts on that wire at anytime. Odds are the MOTOR 2 wires are reversed. When you reverse the motor wires, what happens is what happened to you. In conjunction with the WRONG door switch. Doug

Doug,

Thanks for your reply. Not sure if I am using this board correctly, but I will see when I post, if my reply to your reply shows up correctly.

At any rate, I must admit that in my original post, I used the copy and paste to grab the "wire descriptions" from someone else's post. I know.....lazy. lol But, in doing so I also copied a mistake. Let me try a new description.

I have checked this directly from the "Owners manual #888: Kwikee Electric Steps":

The RED wire has 12 V all the time.

The WHITE wire has 12 V when the override switch is on, and 0 V when the override switch is off. (this is the switch that should lock the steps in the extended position)


There is 0 V BETWEEN the RED and BROWN when the door is open, and 12 V BETWEEN the RED and BROWN when the door is closed.

The YELLOW wire has 12 V with the ignition on, and 0 V with the ignition switch off.

The controller is a rectangle shape. (I see references to the square shape with a right triangle on one side)

The door switch is a black N.O. switch.

With the override switch in the on/closed/12V position, the steps operate normally with the door, door open-steps extend, door closed, steps retract.

With the override switch in the off/open/0V position, the steps retract and stay retracted, with the door open or closed. (should stay extended)

Thanks,
Doug

PS..in talking with Winnebago, they have told me they do not know what this rectangle control module is:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/49350282?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227036927863&wl0=&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=58505470298&wl4=pla-91204882418&wl5=9022931&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=49350282&wl13=&veh=sem


and that I need the one that is shaped like a square with a right triangle on the side.

http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://www.pdxrv.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/kwikee_step_control_module.JPG&target=tlx_new&title=Kwikee Step Electronic Control Module Kit, 909510000

The FIRST link is for an OLD SCS Frigette step. Now it is Coach/LCI step company. IF you have this module on your RV, THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM. Get the correct module. Doug

[coppersilverado]

dougrainer wrote:

coppersilverado wrote:
I am very perplexed. I have searched high and low and don't see any post about this specific problem. My Kwikee steps work exactly as intended, when the switch is off, (or on), doesn't matter. In ONE position, it works with the door. Extended when the door is open, retracted when the door is closed. In the other position, the steps lock and stay in the RETRACTED position, not extended as they should. I have seen many variations of step problems, but never this.

I have replaced the controller. I have checked and have the following:

RED-Hot 12 volts all the time.

WHITE-This is the wire connected to that ON/Off switch to keep extended. I have 12 V and 0 V, on and off with the switch.

BROWN-goes to magnetic door switch. 12 V on and off with door opened and closed.

YELLOW--- Goes to the Ignition Key activated override. 12 V on and off with ignition switch.

The controller has been changed. This problem existed with the old and new controller.

Here's the thing. When the switch is in the position to allow the steps to operate, they works EXACTLY like they are supposed to, door open-steps extended, door closed-steps retract. This confirms the motor is good, step direction is correct, door switch is correct type and operating as should. Controller is correct. (replaced with new controller of same part no.

When I put the switch in the position to lock steps in extended position, if they are retracted, they stay retracted, regardless of door opened or closed. If they are extended, when I close the door they retract, and stay retracted, (exactly opposite of what they are supposed to do). And Kwikee has zero tech support. Anybody have this experience with this problem? Email me directly if you like. Coppersilverado@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Doug

The BROWN wire is a ground(negative) current wire. You should NOT have 12 volts on that wire at anytime. Odds are the MOTOR 2 wires are reversed. When you reverse the motor wires, what happens is what happened to you. In conjunction with the WRONG door switch. Doug

Doug, It was actually your post I copied and pasted from. But there is no mistake there. I just made a mistake in my explanation. lol

[coppersilverado]

wa8yxm wrote:
It might be as simple as a blown fuse.
If you have an Intelletec Battery control Center... Inside the box are a bunch of fuses.. Some are 5 Amp. check all the 5 AMP fuses. One of them feeds that step control switch.

There are two different Kwikee step controllers. One is squarish (retangale I think) , and the other is a trapezoid (At first glance you may think Triangle.

On the older one the switch inside the door is called POWER. with the switch OFF the steps are not supposed to move at all unless the engine is running then they are supposed to RETRACT and follow the door (Extend when door open) When the switch is on the steps work as yours do now.

With the NEW style it's called an OVERRIDE. With the switch off or the fuse blown/missing they work as you describe (Follow the door). with the switch ON they will extend first time you open the door, ignition off, and stay there.

Ignition on they follow the door (Always)

NOTE: they SHOULD retract when you start the RV even with the door closed but do not reliably do that.. I added a sensor.

Thank you. I think we are getting to the bottom of this. I will keep you all posted. But I think the customer (or another RV dealer) installed the wrong controller. Got to love it when they "fix" it first, then bring it in for repair, and say nothing about what they have done. I think they may have changed the controller, saw the steps go in and out with the door correctly, and assumed they were good to go, (never checking the feature to leave the steps extended. We will see. I will report back. I hate it when people find the problem/solution, then never report back. Kind of defeats the purpose. Thanks all.
Doug

[coppersilverado]

dougrainer wrote:

coppersilverado wrote:
I am very perplexed. I have searched high and low and don't see any post about this specific problem. My Kwikee steps work exactly as intended, when the switch is off, (or on), doesn't matter. In ONE position, it works with the door. Extended when the door is open, retracted when the door is closed. In the other position, the steps lock and stay in the RETRACTED position, not extended as they should. I have seen many variations of step problems, but never this.

I have replaced the controller. I have checked and have the following:

RED-Hot 12 volts all the time.

WHITE-This is the wire connected to that ON/Off switch to keep extended. I have 12 V and 0 V, on and off with the switch.

BROWN-goes to magnetic door switch. 12 V on and off with door opened and closed.

YELLOW--- Goes to the Ignition Key activated override. 12 V on and off with ignition switch.

The controller has been changed. This problem existed with the old and new controller.

Here's the thing. When the switch is in the position to allow the steps to operate, they works EXACTLY like they are supposed to, door open-steps extended, door closed-steps retract. This confirms the motor is good, step direction is correct, door switch is correct type and operating as should. Controller is correct. (replaced with new controller of same part no.

When I put the switch in the position to lock steps in extended position, if they are retracted, they stay retracted, regardless of door opened or closed. If they are extended, when I close the door they retract, and stay retracted, (exactly opposite of what they are supposed to do). And Kwikee has zero tech support. Anybody have this experience with this problem? Email me directly if you like. Coppersilverado@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Doug

The BROWN wire is a ground(negative) current wire. You should NOT have 12 volts on that wire at anytime. Odds are the MOTOR 2 wires are reversed. When you reverse the motor wires, what happens is what happened to you. In conjunction with the WRONG door switch. Doug

Doug,

Thanks for your reply. Not sure if I am using this board correctly, but I will see when I post, if my reply to your reply shows up correctly.

At any rate, I must admit that in my original post, I used the copy and paste to grab the "wire descriptions" from someone else's post. I know.....lazy. lol But, in doing so I also copied a mistake. Let me try a new description.

I have checked this directly from the "Owners manual #888: Kwikee Electric Steps":

The RED wire has 12 V all the time.

The WHITE wire has 12 V when the override switch is on, and 0 V when the override switch is off. (this is the switch that should lock the steps in the extended position)


There is 0 V BETWEEN the RED and BROWN when the door is open, and 12 V BETWEEN the RED and BROWN when the door is closed.

The YELLOW wire has 12 V with the ignition on, and 0 V with the ignition switch off.

The controller is a rectangle shape. (I see references to the square shape with a right triangle on one side)

The door switch is a black N.O. switch.

With the override switch in the on/closed/12V position, the steps operate normally with the door, door open-steps extend, door closed, steps retract.

With the override switch in the off/open/0V position, the steps retract and stay retracted, with the door open or closed. (should stay extended)

Thanks,
Doug

PS..in talking with Winnebago, they have told me they do not know what this rectangle control module is:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/49350282?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227036927863&wl0=&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=58505470298&wl4=pla-91204882418&wl5=9022931&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=49350282&wl13=&veh=sem


and that I need the one that is shaped like a square with a right triangle on the side.

http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://www.pdxrv.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/kwikee_step_control_module.JPG&target=tlx_new&title=Kwikee Step Electronic Control Module Kit, 909510000

[wa8yxm]

It might be as simple as a blown fuse.
If you have an Intelletec Battery control Center... Inside the box are a bunch of fuses.. Some are 5 Amp. check all the 5 AMP fuses. One of them feeds that step control switch.

There are two different Kwikee step controllers. One is squarish (retangale I think) , and the other is a trapezoid (At first glance you may think Triangle.

On the older one the switch inside the door is called POWER. with the switch OFF the steps are not supposed to move at all unless the engine is running then they are supposed to RETRACT and follow the door (Extend when door open) When the switch is on the steps work as yours do now.

With the NEW style it's called an OVERRIDE. With the switch off or the fuse blown/missing they work as you describe (Follow the door). with the switch ON they will extend first time you open the door, ignition off, and stay there.

Ignition on they follow the door (Always)

NOTE: they SHOULD retract when you start the RV even with the door closed but do not reliably do that.. I added a sensor.

[dougrainer]

coppersilverado wrote:
I am very perplexed. I have searched high and low and don't see any post about this specific problem. My Kwikee steps work exactly as intended, when the switch is off, (or on), doesn't matter. In ONE position, it works with the door. Extended when the door is open, retracted when the door is closed. In the other position, the steps lock and stay in the RETRACTED position, not extended as they should. I have seen many variations of step problems, but never this.

I have replaced the controller. I have checked and have the following:

RED-Hot 12 volts all the time.

WHITE-This is the wire connected to that ON/Off switch to keep extended. I have 12 V and 0 V, on and off with the switch.

BROWN-goes to magnetic door switch. 12 V on and off with door opened and closed.

YELLOW--- Goes to the Ignition Key activated override. 12 V on and off with ignition switch.

The controller has been changed. This problem existed with the old and new controller.

Here's the thing. When the switch is in the position to allow the steps to operate, they works EXACTLY like they are supposed to, door open-steps extended, door closed-steps retract. This confirms the motor is good, step direction is correct, door switch is correct type and operating as should. Controller is correct. (replaced with new controller of same part no.

When I put the switch in the position to lock steps in extended position, if they are retracted, they stay retracted, regardless of door opened or closed. If they are extended, when I close the door they retract, and stay retracted, (exactly opposite of what they are supposed to do). And Kwikee has zero tech support. Anybody have this experience with this problem? Email me directly if you like. Coppersilverado@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Doug

The BROWN wire is a ground(negative) current wire. You should NOT have 12 volts on that wire at anytime. Odds are the MOTOR 2 wires are reversed. When you reverse the motor wires, what happens is what happened to you. In conjunction with the WRONG door switch. Doug

[coppersilverado]

I am very perplexed. I have searched high and low and don't see any post about this specific problem. My Kwikee steps work exactly as intended, when the switch is off, (or on), doesn't matter. In ONE position, it works with the door. Extended when the door is open, retracted when the door is closed. In the other position, the steps lock and stay in the RETRACTED position, not extended as they should. I have seen many variations of step problems, but never this.

I have replaced the controller. I have checked and have the following:

RED-Hot 12 volts all the time.

WHITE-This is the wire connected to that ON/Off switch to keep extended. I have 12 V and 0 V, on and off with the switch.

BROWN-goes to magnetic door switch. 12 V on and off with door opened and closed.

YELLOW--- Goes to the Ignition Key activated override. 12 V on and off with ignition switch.

The controller has been changed. This problem existed with the old and new controller.

Here's the thing. When the switch is in the position to allow the steps to operate, they works EXACTLY like they are supposed to, door open-steps extended, door closed-steps retract. This confirms the motor is good, step direction is correct, door switch is correct type and operating as should. Controller is correct. (replaced with new controller of same part no.

When I put the switch in the position to lock steps in extended position, if they are retracted, they stay retracted, regardless of door opened or closed. If they are extended, when I close the door they retract, and stay retracted, (exactly opposite of what they are supposed to do). And Kwikee has zero tech support. Anybody have this experience with this problem? Email me directly if you like. Coppersilverado@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Doug

[wilanddij]

Ignition off, Parking brake on, tranny in Park, and Entry Step switch off always makes mine do the right thing.

[Bruce_Brown]

Try turning the switch to off then open the door. They should then extend and stay extended.

Sometimes it seems like ours gets confused...OK, I'll admit it, I'm the one confused on why they act like they do, but they always settle in. :B

[rgatijnet1]

Switches can go bad but it is fairly rare. I would carefully go underneath your steps and look at the plug where your steps plug in to the electrical system. Make sure that all power is off to the steps so that they do not extend or retract while you are under them. Take the plug and unplug it and reconnect it several times to clean the connections. I like to use dielectric grease on all of my outside electrical connections. After you do this a few times to clean the connections, see if that has corrected your problem. This is an electrical connection that gets a lot of water and dirt and sometimes the contacts corrode to the point of failure.