Forum Discussion

anon125's avatar
anon125
Explorer
Nov 18, 2016

dumb steps question

Our steps did not like daylight, so they would not come out.
Tech fixed them so now they come out when the door is open.
Well there is a steps on off switch. Whether it is on or off the steps still come out.
Is this right?
We have disconnected the batteries and I would have preferred the steps to be in.
Thanks all
  • If you turn the ignition key to ON (then OFF) the steps should retract (and stay retracted), all of which is powered by the chassis battery. At least that is how our 2004 steps are wired.
  • OK, RV steps(both Kwikee and LCI) have a built in feature called last out. What that means is, no matter what you do (inside On/Off switch--ON or OFF), IF you open the door the steps will automatically extend. This is a protection to keep you from exiting the RV and IF the steps failed to extend, you could fall out and injure yourself due to the wall switch being off. The ON/OFF switch is to keep the steps EXTENDED, regardless of opening and closing the door. What did you mean by the steps did not like Daylight???????? Doug
  • What did you mean by the steps did not like Daylight????????
    they for a while did not want to extend!
    now the battery is disconnected i assume i cannot put them back in

    thanks
  • If you have Kwikee steps, the following is normal;

    Normal operation is ignition off, step switch off, when you open the door after turning off the ignition the last out feature causes the steps to extend and they are suppose to stay out. Open and close the door as often as you like they should stay out.

    Turn on the step switch and the steps will actuate with opening and closing the door.

    If you are sitting still and the ignition is off and the doors are closed and the step switch is off, turning on the ignition will cause the steps to retract.

    To exit your rig and have the steps close after shutting the door, you must have the switch on.

    At that point there is a small current draw that will eventually drain your batteries.

    If your steps are not operating in this manner, something is wrong. The tech may have screwed up and messed with stuff. If your steps are Kwikee, there is one on/off switch, one ignition sensor in the control module and a magnetic switch on the door. I believe if your rig is like mine you'll find the magnetic switch magnet on the screendoor frame.

    There are three fuses in the circuit if it is installed properly.

    Look in your manual or Google, #888 Manual. There you'll find everything you need to know about your steps. Do not expect any help from Lippert. If you need parts, Google the part you need and buy from the cheapest source available.

    They are very easy to trouble shoot and repair and there are hundreds of threads about all of this but the manual is the best source of how the steps should be installed and tested.

    If you need to leave the steps extended to exit before storage, I have the step switch on shut the screen door and then reach through the hand hole and turn off the switch and activate the battery disconnect. At that time "ALL" power to the system is disconnected.
  • Depends on the age of the rig.

    In the old days the door switch controlled the steps and was only overridden when the ignition switch was turn on ... but for many years the door controls the step not the switch. Safety measure which probably makes sense.
  • ksg5000 wrote:
    Depends on the age of the rig.

    In the old days the door switch controlled the steps and was only overridden when the ignition switch was turn on ... but for many years the door controls the step not the switch. Safety measure which probably makes sense.


    You need to state OLD DAYS in a time. Kwikee steps have operated the same for over 35 years IF it had the Wall On/Off switch. Doug

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,189 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 19, 2025