Manual Extend Kwikee Steps

I have a 06 PaceArrow also. I have the step motor off mine right now. You might try tapping the motor with Hammer while someone opens the door. Just don't get your hands in the way because they can move fast, and don't be under them. Mine started sticking last year, and would have to tap motor with hammer to get working. Might need to lube the steps .

dcbrewer wrote:
I have a 06 PaceArrow also. I have the step motor off mine right now. You might try tapping the motor with Hammer while someone opens the door. Just don't get your hands in the way because they can move fast, and don't be under them. Mine started sticking last year, and would have to tap motor with hammer to get working. Might need to lube the steps .

Are you replacing the motor then?

They are not really usable without the motor. The motor holds them open as well as closed. They will wobble and be unsafe to use.

As I recall there is a cotter pin that holds a round metal bar which connects the swing mechanism to the motor. When you remove the cotter pin you can punch out/remove the metal bar and the step will swing free.

After only a few seconds of trying, the overload relay cuts power to the motor to protect it. This can be proven easily with your meter by disconnecting the motor, and putting your multimeter leads on to the motor leads to see if you see the short pulse.

I found that by loosening the main bolts holding the unit to the chassis, I created better clearance, and it worked perfectly. I then put some shims under the hold down bolts and retightened and it stayed working.

It seems that the Kwikee motor pushes against tension, then goes over the 90 degree point and locks into place. Normally, it stays locked at about 85 degrees. In time, that position wears down, and then the motor is trying to push from 82 degrees up to 90 where it releases with a slam.

Adding shims like I did reduced the number of degrees that the motor needed to push to release.

I was able to get the stair to extend by using a rubber mallet and striking the bottom of the whole Kwikee stair assembly. I now have the model, etc.

One thing I noticed is there is a purple wire hanging from the controller. I am still researching but am not sure what that wire is for and why its just hanging there. If anyone has any ideas, that would be great!

Oh...I found what that is...the purple wire is an optional porch light switch. I will crimp a terminator on that wire.

Kiwkee used to have a diagnostic PDF on their website - not sure if new owners still have that. Worth a look.

If you disconnect the motor swing arm from the step it will allow the step to open freely - if the problem is just binding then the motor should now operate and you can focus on lubing. If the motor doesn't operate with the steps disconnected you might want to try and connect the motor directly to 12 volt battery -- that essentially bi passes the electronic control and if the motor doesn't operate then your going to need to replace the motor.

stugpanzer wrote:

dcbrewer wrote:
I have a 06 PaceArrow also. I have the step motor off mine right now. You might try tapping the motor with Hammer while someone opens the door. Just don't get your hands in the way because they can move fast, and don't be under them. Mine started sticking last year, and would have to tap motor with hammer to get working. Might need to lube the steps .

Are you replacing the motor then?

I got a new motor coming, but have taken motor apart and cleaned and greased, have it back together, going to try it before using the new one. Used it by tapping with hammer for the last year, it would work for a while and than hang up, always stuck in the retracted position. Ordered new motor from AM Equipment, After ordering, looked at one from a 96 ford Taurus, and it looks real close.

I actually found a replacement motor and controller for a very reasonable price from of all places, Amazon! I decided to go ahead and order those (costing about $110 total) and figured it won't hurt to replace those items especially since the coach is 8 years old. So that will leave the gearbox and wiring to verify after I replace the motor and controller.