KWIKEE STEP MOTOR REPLACEMENT SERIES 32

[Community Alumni]

NOTE THIS THREAD IS VERY OLD I HAVE SINCE DROPPED THE PHOTOS FROM MY HOSTING SITE.



I had problems with my Kwikee step Series 32. The steps on occasion would not retract. I had to tap the motor with a hammer while closing the door to get them to work even in doing this it was may or not work on the next try. I had lubricated the steps and linkage, and checked the door switch, controller, and battery voltage using the Technical tips on the Kwikee Step internet site. Also I took the motor off the gear box and checked for any worn, or broken parts in the gear box. All checked out fine. This left the step motor as being the part that needed replacement.

I had seen a post from member bsinmich in the forum and contacted him for more information. He said that he used a front door window lift motor that was suppose to fit a 1990 Lincoln.

I called a large RV parts dealer in Texas, and told him that I needed a motor for a 32 series Kwikee step. He said that I could not get just a motor that I would have to buy the complete kit that included the controller, gear box and motor as a matched kit. The cost was $209 for the kit. I told him that I had heard that the motor was a window lift motor. He said that he had not heard that and that he doubted that information.

I did research and found that by looking on the NAPA internet site they had photos of the lift motors. I found that a 1986-1995 Ford Taurus left front window lift motor matched my motor. NAPA part # BK655-1395 $63.99 I ordered my motor from Auto-Zone Manufactured by Dorman part# 742-206. This has a lifetime Warranty and was $49.99.

05-29-08
***NOTE: Gferris has brought to my attention that the photo of the new motor I have does not match the photo of the Dorman 742-206 on their site it matches the motor 742-205. Just wanted to tell you that.
With that said I ordered a drivers door window lift motor from Auto Zone for a 1986-1995 Taurus. I got the a box that was from Dorman part number 742-206 on the box. The motor that was in the box was the one I photographed and installed. If they have changed motor designs or if the wrong motor was in the box I got I have no further explanation. Just wanted to give you a heads up.

With the parts cleaned, I put the conversion gear on the new motor, this is a very tight fit and is machined to fit with no play. Care is needed when it is tapped back on the new motor gear so you don’t misalign the pin and the gear.


Next place the motor locating pin in the top of the conversion gear. This pin goes into the hole on the top of the gear box.



With the step linkage taken out of the gear box, I marked one side of the square in the linkage hole in the center, cleaned out the old grease, checked for any damaged teeth and put new grease in the box next I re-indexed the main gear turning it 180 degrees using the marked square in the center of the gear as a guide.



Next I put the linkage back into place and put the linkage bushing back into the cover plate.





Reinstalling the motor using care that the gearing and the pin is in place and the motor gear housing is seated against the gear box. The plate goes on next and the three bolts. With the motor tightened down the next thing I did was to attach the red wire and the yellow wire to their respective colors placing heat shrink tubing on the wires and then soldering the ends together.



All in all, the task took 1 hour. Care should be taken when the linkage is pulled because the steps will be free to move. Also you should compare the your motor with photos on NAPA, incase Kwikee Step used different motor and gear combinations.

[rad_valve]

waldreps wrote:
I have a 1990 Itasca Sunflyer 31' with the 32 series Kwikee steps with a dead motor but my motor and gearbox stuff looks different than the photos here. I've included some pics. Can anybody tell me what motor I might need or will I need some conversion kit or something?

http://slwaldrep.shutterfly.com/50#50

http://slwaldrep.shutterfly.com/50#52

http://slwaldrep.shutterfly.com/50#54

Yours is the delco motor unless you can find one you will
have to update to the new motor and gear box.
Kwikee stoped useing that set up a long time ago.

[Community Alumni]

Waldreps,

That is a different looking motor. I would take it off of the gear housing, and bring it in to compare to the photos on the sites above. The dorman site and the Napa site. If those are the original steps start your search on a popular car model and style 4-8 years before 1990. Here is my thought process on that if I was building a device around a certain motor I would pick a motor that is no longer part of the production process and one that would be readily available in years to come because of the number of cars built.

On my steps I had a tag that told me when it was built. So that gives you a starting point. Hope this helps.

[waldreps]

I have a 1990 Itasca Sunflyer 31' with the 32 series Kwikee steps with a dead motor but my motor and gearbox stuff looks different than the photos here. I've included some pics. Can anybody tell me what motor I might need or will I need some conversion kit or something?

http://slwaldrep.shutterfly.com/50#50

http://slwaldrep.shutterfly.com/50#52

http://slwaldrep.shutterfly.com/50#54

[Community Alumni]

Oregon Chief wrote:
Bob,

Great work on the Kwikee step posts. One question, the answer to which I may have overlooked. When removing the motor, should the steps be retracted or extended? Makes sense that they should be retracted but I want to make ceretain. Thanks for your asssistance.

Oregon Chief,

what I did was disconnect the linkage pin and extended the steps out of the way I had a block of wood hold them out and away then replaced the link pin after I was done. Main thing is make sure you disconnect the step wires from the coach wires there is a connector about two feet or so from the steps. You dont want to be under there with power to the motor, just incase it decides to work or at least be very cautious with your hands and fingers. I like disconnectiong the linkage pin and propping the step out and up.

[Oregon_Chief]

Bob,

Great work on the Kwikee step posts. One question, the answer to which I may have overlooked. When removing the motor, should the steps be retracted or extended? Makes sense that they should be retracted but I want to make ceretain. Thanks for your asssistance.

[Community Alumni]

BobRay isn't it fun saving $149. You should see what the cost is when they want to sell you the whole kit for over $250. Well I have an 1996 Coachmen with a Dometic refer. My sister-in-law broke the plastic handle for it... $70. It's crazy

[BobRay]

Update: After re-reading the thread, I found a post about AM Equipment motors. My motor was made by AM Equipment (model 214-1001) and I was able to order one from them for less than $30 plus shipping. Camping World wanted $179 for just the motor (I couldn't believe it either, I had the guy double check). I'm still waiting for it to arrive, but the photo at the AM Equipment site is identical to my motor.

http://www.amequipment.com/_ASSETS/_Product_Images/Motor_FHP_214.jpg

[Community Alumni]

chuckmsp I am glad that this thread has helped you. I see above that some were not as fortunate.

[chuckmsp]

Got the motor and installed it. Took about an hour all together.
Thanks for the tips here, saved me a couple $100 🙂

[rad_valve]

BobRay wrote:
There's a nice collection of photos of the Dorman motors here:

Dorman lift motor photos

Sadly, none of them look anything like the motor in my 2006 Bounder Kwikee 32 steps which has three bolts rather than four.

My steps make a grinding noise and don't fully retract or extend. I imagine that the plastic gears are stripped.

Here's a tip for others: Never step on your steps until they are fully extended, even if you're in a hurry, and make sure the stops aren't set too tight.

You have the newer Chinese made unit.

[angel3]

I had the problem with the motor a few years ago. I took the motor apart and found the armature shaft frose to the rear bearing. I cleaned the shaft and lubed it with greese and never had a problem since.

[BobRay]

There's a nice collection of photos of the Dorman motors here:

Dorman lift motor photos

Sadly, none of them look anything like the motor in my 2006 Bounder Kwikee 32 steps which has three bolts rather than four.

My steps make a grinding noise and don't fully retract or extend. I imagine that the plastic gears are stripped.

Here's a tip for others: Never step on your steps until they are fully extended, even if you're in a hurry, and make sure the stops aren't set too tight.

[DaveG39]

I just replaced the linkage because the swivel ball wore out and the two parts kept coming apart. Would have been nice to have two extra hands and extra knees to hold the parts during reassembly. No room under there for someone else to assist. Straight forward process though. Your pics make it easy for someone to do the replacement.

[chuckmsp]

Just ordered the motor from Auto Zone, I will report back how it goes.
Thanks for the great instructions and alternative to the conversion kit!

[Community Alumni]

That is great that you were able to find the motor you needed harrylee. My motor did not have a nylon gear it has a metal one. I know they changed the systems throughout the years. Thanks for adding this information for the thread.