Entry Step Cycles When Driving

[Comanche_Flyer]

Hello Everyone!

I purchased a 2002 Fleetwood Terra 26Y Class A recently.
It is a low mile, low use unit and it is in good mechanical condition. It has lived inside most of its life.

I have only had one issue and that is with the entry step.

In a nutshell, it seems to work properly "until I start to drive" and then it starts to cycle in and out almost continuously. (I have not driven it any amount since it started acting up). Not the desired effect.

I was hoping to get some guidance on where to start before I attacked the project. I have good mechanical skills. I just don't want to dive into a bunch of troubleshooting if there is somebody out there who has had a similar issue and knows the fix.

Thanks a lot.

C

[wa8yxm]

Now this is kind of an "Iffy" thing

There are two ways the door switch works and two ways for each way

ONE is a "plunger" type switch in teh door jam, normally hinge side, this is rare but I have seen ONE such switch.

The more common is a magnetic Reed Switch, USUALLY at the lower corner of the jam on the latch side just above the sil.

IF the screen door is bent.. it can fail to activate that switch or normal flexing of the RV can cause it to operate the switch only sometimes.

Try sliding the access panel. depressing the screen latch placing your toe against the bottom of the door and pulling just a bit to "Bend" the door so the bottom closes a bit tighter. Can not guarantee.


Option 2: Fairly light weight wires connect that switch to the controller.. Can fail Depending on the other 2 ways (THe age of the controller mostly) the reed switch either follows the door (Closed is closed) or opposes it (closed is open) so either a SHORT or Open in those wires can cause the same symptoms if it is making and breaking as you drive.

[j-d]

Here Ya Go, Boss!

I started This Thread about the erratic operation of ours.

In the thread, it turned out I needed the older Kwikee Manual 875, not the more recent and more popular Manual 888.

There's a four-wire connector under there, near the step, that totally shuts it down, if you really get stuck with it running away.

JUST BE CAREFUL!!! That step has a buttload of torque and can hurt you BAD if you get caught in its operation!

If you need the Manual, I have both downloaded to my PC. I found it on line, but if we can't find it again, PM me with your EMail and I'll send you the file.

[j-d]

Let me see if I have the service manual. Let me know if the black electronic control box has a long "fin" on one side for one of the mounting screws. We have a 2002 coach and our box does not have the "fin" rather a little edge.

The Door Switch can be a problem. What it does, is provide a Ground Signal to the Box. When we had the same problem you describe, the wiring from the magnetic switch to GROUND had come apart in a crimp splice. Re-connecting cleared it.

Give me a little time to look tonight.

[BarneyS]

Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.

[MrWizard]

Door switch or switch magnet problem

[Dennis12]

Quit talking about throwing her out.

[profdant139]

Bungee cord? It might not solve the problem, but it will slow it down a lot. 😉

[Harvard]

If the set up is the same as ours I would suspect the magnet in the door is not close enough to the reed switch located adjacent in the door jam. You should be able to remount the magnet (using plastic spacers) to make it closer, but not touching, to the door jam.

[tropical_ron]

On a previous motor home when we put carpet on entry step it caused steps to cycle when we hit a bump in road. Also, when this first happened I unplugged step power cable under step when step was fully closed...bandaid when on the road.