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.

[MopaRV]

Well after a mix up at Checkers/O'Reillys I finally received my motor after waiting 2 weeks. Had to pay for new and then get refunded after returning old motor.
The new motor looked the same, but again, the gear had to be filed down for the conversion gear to fit. I should have removed that part off the old motor to avoid having to do it again. DOH!
I also had to grind down that little ear on the motor for it to seat properly.
Lastly, I had to remove the c-clip before mounting the conversion gear. I dont remember if I had to the first time.
Otherwise the rest was the same for me, pretty straight forward and easier now with my experience LOL.
I DO hope this is the last time I have to do this. This motor better last more than 10 months.

[rad_valve]

alpineman wrote:
I have a motor off of a 2005 Jayco seneca the motor has says high torque motor Part # 9551, anyone know of a replacement for this one I called AM Equipment and they don't have a match, this is a different motor than what I have been finding here any help would be great Thanks.

The high torque sticker on your motor is put on by Kwikee.
You have the UT motor or Siemens brand motor.

[MopaRV]

Thought I'd give an update. MOTOR FAILED!!

Thats right folks. In less than a year, my NEW Cardone motor I installed has failed...already. Ridiculous. The motor does have a lifetime warranty from Checker/O'Reillys, but what a pain. I have one ordered, and expect it to come in a week.

I'll keep you posted.

[alpineman]

I have a motor off of a 2005 Jayco seneca the motor has says high torque motor Part # 9551, anyone know of a replacement for this one I called AM Equipment and they don't have a match, this is a different motor than what I have been finding here any help would be great Thanks.

[Illusion]

Hello
I found out my motor is different(coach motor). Have all most square shaft with gear exstended on it. No conversion gear to use. I think it can work if I can find one (conversion gear) Any body have one laying around ?

Thanks Dane

[mtnman1989]

OK, here is an update!

I pull the motor back off the steps,(easier the second time).
My motor has 4 screws holding it all together.
I took the motor apart, the brushes look good but discolored.
I cleaned the brushes & the armature using light sandpaper.
I also sprayed it with electrical parts cleaner.
I re-installed all the parts and put the motor back on the steps.
It all works great at this time, I am happy!

I did call the parts houses to see if I can get a new motor.
They do not stock them but they can be ordered and cost is around $50.
mtnman

[Community Alumni]

mtnman1989 wrote:
Ozarkwoods,
You brought this up to date just in time!
I already had my series 32 step motor off once last week and got it working.
It is not working again so I did a search just now and found your post.
I have not read it all yet.
My steps are on a 1994 Fleetwood, any suggestions before I start?
Thanks!
mtnman

Since your steps are close to the same vintage as mine I would start with looking at my part numbers. Bring your motor into your local parts store and see if you can not match it. Read the thread and you will find that others did not have the same motor they gave their part numbers also. Let me know how it works out.

[mtnman1989]

Ozarkwoods,
You brought this up to date just in time!
I already had my series 32 step motor off once last week and got it working.
It is not working again so I did a search just now and found your post.
I have not read it all yet.
My steps are on a 1994 Fleetwood, any suggestions before I start?
Thanks!
mtnman

[Community Alumni]

I know this has been awhile saw that some needed help on steps thought that for some new forum members might want to read there has been a lot of new information added by other members with other motor configurations. In reading this thread you have to realize that we are dealing with quite an array of RV vintages. So there were changes through out the years with Kwikee using different motors and gear housing. But with my original post it makes sense as a manufacturer to use parts that have different uses and something that will ensure a supply being made. Thus the power window motor. Is it a hassle to having to research yep, depends weather or not you want to save close to $200. In seeing the number of views of this thread I think the contributing members have done well in informing the rest of the members here.

[Community Alumni]

Wow MopaRV, finally and do you feel any better that the thing is done? LOL Now your ready to use the steps again. Wooooohooooo!

[MopaRV]

Well FINALLY!!! The motor is installed and working, but not without obstacles.

The motor I ordered from Checker Auto was Cardone #82-306. The motor is a match (except, made in China, like anything else), and there were some problems:

1) The gear was oversized, so the conversion gear would not fit. I had to file the teeth down until it fit.
2) The three mounting holes are oversized. I bought some spacers, 5/16 o.d. X 3/16 i.d.
3) the gear shaft was longer, so I had to hacksaw about 1/8" off the pin.
4) For some reason, the wiring was reversed. I had to wire red to yellow, and yellow to red for it to open/close properly. LOL


By rummyron at 2009-11-25


By rummyron at 2009-11-27

[MopaRV]

Just testing to see if I can post a pic

By rummyron at 2009-11-25

[Community Alumni]

I got your email, your welcome, it looks like the supplies have changed, hope it works for you if this works post the information with part numbers, I see what you meant as far as the housing changes go. I was going to suggest tying to get just a motor to attach to the old gear housing from Dorman. Let us know. Hard to believe this post is 2 years old already.

[MopaRV]

Well, I went to CarQuest and they said they could order the correct motor. A remanufactured one for $60 + core!! (I hate CarQuest) Of course I said no and I ordered a new one at CSK. They matched my Internet price I found for $53. I should get it in a few days.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

(Thanks Randy for the PM..I emailed you back)

[Community Alumni]

MoparRV,
I will send you a link to the dorman page for the part I got.