Kwikee Steps - only work when battery charger is applied

[kmb1966]

On my 2001 Itasca Suncruiser, my Kwikee steps only work correctly if I plug a battery charger onto the chassis starting battery. What is odd is that the battery WILL START the engine. But the kwikee steps will not work correctly (they go in/out/in/out/in/out) unless I apply a battery charger onto the chassis battery. Then the steps work without fail. Do I just need a new battery even though it will crank the engine? :h

[dougrainer]

kmb1966 wrote:
I removed the battery cables, cleaned the connections (weren't really dirty) and I have been testing this over and over and over.
Works when battery charger is ON
Does not work when battery charger OFF

Perhaps the step motor is bad and requiring more voltage than normal?

A bad motor winding will indeed operate at a slightly higher voltage. That is a test I make when diagnosing a Step. Does it operate correctly ONLY when the engine is running or not. If all wiring checks out, then the motor has a dead spot. Doug

[D_E_Bishop]

Your best bet is to follow the trouble shooting guide in the manual. Simple and concise "and" almost always solves problems.

Manual is available on line search for #888.

[Son_of_Norway]

Look for a ground to the chassis frame from the control box and motor. It might need to be cleaned up or even re-done.

Miles

[kmb1966]

I removed the battery cables, cleaned the connections (weren't really dirty) and I have been testing this over and over and over.
Works when battery charger is ON
Does not work when battery charger OFF

Perhaps the step motor is bad and requiring more voltage than normal?

[kmb1966]

so far only 2 wires on the chassis battery and that's the large red + and large black - wires.

[msmith1199]

As already said look at the ground. The steps may be wired directly to the battery as they are a safety item that has to work all the time. You probably have a loose ground wire or power wire right at the battery and when you stick the charger clamp on it the wire connects.

[Son_of_Norway]

Check the ground for the steps.