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Electric step not working all the time
I've read everything, pretty much, and checked everything as much as I can.  The problem:  It works almost all the time but occasionally quits either in or out.  Before too long it starts working again.  And will continue to work flawlessly until it doesn't.
Any ideas?  One probably useless clue is that it has now quit a couple days after I lubed it.      Frank
plan B - 2023 Travato
Re: not another step question....
Reply #1 –
We had our electric step, along with the radio, go rogue when one of the house batteries died.  Give that a check.

TinaP
former owner of 2006 26.5 MB "Wild Thing"
now off having more adventures with others
2006 MB
Re: not another step question....
Reply #2 –
Quote from: kool83704  - 
I've read everything, pretty much, and checked everything as much as I can.  The problem:  It works almost all the time but occasionally quits either in or out.  Before too long it starts working again.  And will continue to work flawlessly until it doesn't.
Any ideas?  One probably useless clue is that it has now quit a couple days after I lubed it.      Frank
Frank, why don't you tell us what you've checked and maybe someone will think of something you missed that needs checking.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: not another step question....
Reply #3 –
Hi Frank;  First thing I would check is the screen door switch.  In the act of lubrication, did you bump the multi-pin connector?  It could be an intermittant connection inside the socket/plug.  RonB   
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: not another step question....
Reply #4 –
house batteries seem to be normal - screen door switch looks ok
plan B - 2023 Travato
Re: not another step question....
Reply #5 –
How old are your house batteries?

TinaP
2006 MB
Re: not another step question....
Reply #6 –

You should have an owner's manual for the step in the packet LD provides with new units. The manual has an excellent troubleshooting guide and full electrical schematic.
http://techsupport.pdxrvwholesale.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Kwikee-Electric-Step-Owners-Manual-Document-888.pdf

I have seen more problems with the main power plug, under the step and make sure it is tightly plugged in. Pull the plug apart and see if the contact appear to be clean. The plug is exposed to road spray and the contacts can corrode.
If the plug's pins are clean, or after cleaning the pins,  give the contact surfaces a good coating of dielectric grease, packing it in. The excess will squeeze out. This treatment helps eliminate corrosion by keeping water and road salts away from the contacts. Good stuff, every LD needs a tube of this for use on low voltage electrical contacts.
Amazon.com: Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease, 3 oz. Tube: Automotive

Also check the plug on the motor.

The next thing to check is the magnetic switch, make sure the magnetic is still present on the screen door. The sensor in the door frame can also go bad. The switch can be checked with a small magnet.

I have seen every part go bad on these steps except the control box.

Larry





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Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: not another step question....
Reply #7 –
thanks, Larry.    Original house batteries - 2016
plan B - 2023 Travato
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #8 –
Thx for this thread...had this a couple of years back, but have since been blest with the spontaneous regeneration of inanimate objects.  However, there continues to be something awry with the bypass switch that keeps the step out, so I'm left with the thing opening/closing whenever the screen door is used...  :P  This is a good reminder that I need to lube that mechanism...thx.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood  - 
However, there continues to be something awry with the bypass switch that keeps the step out, so I'm left with the thing opening/closing whenever the screen door is used...  :

The black magnet on the screen door activates the magnetic reed switch, located in the door frame.
When the door opens, the steps extends and then retracts when the door is closed.
This action is controlled by the wall switch, in one position, the step extends when the door opens and stays there, this position is used when parked.
The other position allows the steps to extend and retract as the screen door opens and closes. Use this position when on the road.



Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #10 –
Thx, Larry.  With my limited knowledge of such things, I sort of understand that there's some sort of circuit connecting the wall switch to the door switch, and that "in one position, the step extends when the door opens and stays there, this position is used when parked.  The other position allows the steps to extend and retract as the screen door opens and closes. Use this position when on the road." and it did work that way at one time. 

Now, however, no matter which direction the wall switch is flipped (up or down), through the various permutations A) door closed-switch off-door opened then switch flipped on while step deployed...step stows when door closed B) door closed-switch on prior to opening door (deploys step)...step stows when door closes B) door open for a time with step deployed for that period with switch in off position, then flipped on...step stows when door closes D) door open for a time with step deployed for that period with switch in on position, then flipped off--wait 60 seconds--flipped back on...step stows when door closes.  In all cases, the step deploys/stows at the behest of the door & is unresponsive to the switch (which I know enough to think the switch is faulty...)  Also, according to the manual the step is supposed to automatically stow when the ignition is turned on, but back in the day when the wall panel switch worked, I forgot to stow, & slightly bent the step  :P  when I hit a high spot in the pasture--dirt, not stone or stump--(when dumping the tank at the farm I then partially fill with soap/H2O & then drive about to slosh, before the final dump).

Anyway, at least the thing opens & I'm not stepping out into the abyss with my short legs (back before the spontaneous regeneration of the step there were a few times I thought a trapeze net would have been helpful  ::) .

Thx, again--

Lynne


Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #11 –
Our electric step is my least favorite and most often repaired accessory on our Lazy Daze.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #13 –
Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood  - 
Anyway, at least the thing opens & I'm not stepping out into the abyss with my short legs (back before the spontaneous regeneration of the step there were a few times I thought a trapeze net would have been helpful  ::) .

I would check the hidden door fuse. It's a 5-amp fuse, usually accessed by removing the screws securing the door switch to the wall.
Pull the switch, and the wires inside, away from the wall a short distance to find the inline fuse.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: not another step question....
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Eric Greenwell  - 
On my 2005 Jayco Class C, the steps are driven by the engine battery. Aren't they all that way?

Our 2003 LD's electric step is powered by the coach battery, the 20-amp fuse is in the coach battery compartment, on the back wall. The step's controller has a connection to the ignition, it closes the step when the ignition is turned on.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
I would check the hidden door fuse. It's a 5-amp fuse, usually accessed by removing the screws securing the door switch to the wall.
Pull the switch, and the wires inside, away from the wall a short distance to find the inline fuse.

Larry

Well, like Alice down the rabbit hole, things are "...curiouser and curiouser..."  There are various wires that come out of the switch plate that are bundled in black electric tape before disappearing up into a hole in a wooden block in the wall, but nothing that looks like a fuse (there's an inline fuse on the sprayer I use at the farm, so at least I knew what to look for).

From door/Left to Right:

Porch Light        --two yellow wires from the bottom connection that disappear into the black-taped-bundle
                          --two red wires with yellow stripe on the top connection...one disappears into the bundle & the other loops over into the top connection of the Entry
                            Light, which is then looped over into the middle connection of Utility Light

Electric Step      --one red wire from the top connection & one white wire from the bottom connection that both disappear into the the black-taped-bundle

Entry Light          --two red wires with yellow stripe on the top connection...one loops back to the Porch Light  & the other loops over into the middle connection of
                              the Utility Light
                            --one black wire from the bottom connection that disappears into the black-taped-bundle

Utility Light        --one white wire from the top connection disappears into the black-taped-bundle
                            --one red wire with yellow stripe looped from the top connection of the Porch Light to the middle connection
                            --one black wire from the bottom connection that disappears into the black-taped-bundle
                               
I tried to figure out how to attach a photo from the Macbook PhotoBooth, but my techno-illiteracy is flaming...& my brain is spinning.   ::)  :P  Anyway, thx to all--

Lynne
                                                                 
                                   


                    [/u]
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #16 –
I have a manual step, but also used this Safety Step® for several years.

Folding Step Stool for Sale | since 1972 | 44-1504

I have the large model with non-adjustable legs; the larger platform area is safer than the smaller model, IMO. The legs fold flat against the platform and lock in place when pulled out. I set the Safety Step in front of, or slightly under, the rig's step. The SS's leg configuration makes it very stable; it doesn't tip even if one steps on a corner. It's a bit pricey, but a very useful item.

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #17 –
Lynne

Check your LD's Owners Manual the section on the electric step.
Our manual shows the location of the 5-amp door fuse, it's separate from the main fuse. It should be connected to the switch, somewhere along the circuit.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #18 –
On our 2006 30 ft. The 5 amp fuse for the steps is in the outside refrigerator compartment right by the door.
2006 50th Anniversary Blue/Gold Edition
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #19 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
Our electric step is my least favorite and most often repaired accessory on our Lazy Daze.

Harold

When I ordered, Todd talked me out of the electric step because of the reliability issues
Linda
Linda B
Green 2021 RB
2022 Ford Maverick toad
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #20 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Lynne

Check your LD's Owners Manual the section on the electric step.
Our manual shows the location of the 5-amp door fuse, it's separate from the main fuse. It should be connected to the switch, somewhere along the circuit.

Larry

Thx, Larry.  I missed seeing a schematic/diagram; I just remember text about operating the step.  I'll check that section of the manual again.  

Quote from: gmfl  - 
On our 2006 30 ft. The 5 amp fuse for the steps is in the outside refrigerator compartment right by the door.

Thx, gmfl.  That would be much easier to get to than behind the bottom drawer under the fridge,



This rather reminds me of the time I tried to fry chicken as a newlywed--I had no idea what "fork tender" meant in the wedding gift cookbook  ::) ...it finally began to make sense when I'd been around the church basement ladies who cooked "by guess & by gosh" for a while (I learned a lot, including that The Colonel's chicken was better & easier ;D ). 

Lynne

Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #21 –
Back out to the farm, with this new information, to re-read the manual (what a concept--no pictures, but it's all there in black & white  ::)  :-[) & check fuses.

Checked both the 5 amp mini-fuse previously suggested, and also the 20 amp mini-fuse referenced in the manual.  Both looked intact to my untrained eye, so thought I'd take them back into town & buy new/spares as the case might be.  Then came the "Duh" moment--the step would not retract when I closed the door...well, yeah, "Duh"--the fuses are in my pocket. ::)  :-[)

So another opportunity for testing:  *re-inserting the 5 amp mini-fuse--no movement
                                                              *re-inserting the 20 amp mini-fuse--step stows
                                                              *removing the 5 amp mini-fuse/leaving in the 20 amp mini-fuse--step deploys and stows
                                                              *going through the above steps with various permutations of switch operation as previously       
                                                                discussed still seems to produce no effect from switch

Also, while exploring the house battery box looking for the 20 amp mini-fuse, I discovered a black box app. 2" square, with a yellow lever type switch, connected to the battery cables.  I've read previous discussions, & found a discussion in the manual, about a battery disconnect switch that could be used to prevent battery drainage during storage.  Thought "Aha!"  Turned on the Entry Light, thinking it would be the easiest to see go out, flipped the yellow switch up (since down was the obviously default operating position), but no change--power was not disconnected from the house batts to the lights. 

Typing that, I come to another question:  If the disconnect switch is used during storage, am I right in assuming that would mean no power to the Trik-L-Start at the chassis battery?

Thx to all--

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #22 –
Hi Lynne;  Yes, disconnecting the house batteries would make the Trik-L-Start not work, maybe. If you have solar panels and there is enough sunlight, the entry light might stay lit even with the house batteries off. The Trik-L-Start might still charge the chassis battery during daylight. 
    You should carry a selection of ATC fuses for the LD's power distribution panel.  Mini-ATC fuses for the Ford fuse panel. You might pick some miscellaneous spare fuses for other things too. The CB radio and car entertainment radio on my '99 are tubular glass fuses, but your newer 2005 might have more (now standard) fuses.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #23 –
Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood  - 

<snip>

Also, while exploring the house battery box looking for the 20 amp mini-fuse, I discovered a black box app. 2" square, with a yellow lever type switch, connected to the battery cables.  I've read previous discussions, & found a discussion in the manual, about a battery disconnect switch that could be used to prevent battery drainage during storage.  Thought "Aha!"  Turned on the Entry Light, thinking it would be the easiest to see go out, flipped the yellow switch up (since down was the obviously default operating position), but no change--power was not disconnected from the house batts to the lights. 
Thx to all--

Lynne
That black box may not be a disconnect swith, but actually a circuit breaker. It may be the type where the switch only resets it once it pops, so that might explain why you didn't see any change in power. Was it at the very back of the house battery box?
2001 MB
Re: Electric step not working all the time
Reply #24 –
Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood  - 
Also, while exploring the house battery box looking for the 20 amp mini-fuse, I discovered a black box app. 2" square, with a yellow lever type switch, connected to the battery cables.  I've read previous discussions, & found a discussion in the manual, about a battery disconnect switch that could be used to prevent battery drainage during storage.  Thought "Aha!"  Turned on the Entry Light, thinking it would be the easiest to see go out, flipped the yellow switch up (since down was the obviously default operating position), but no change--power was not disconnected from the house batts to the lights. 

If that was the battery disconnect switch, it DOES take the batteries out of the system. However, the batteries are not the ONLY source of 12V power. You may disconnect the shorepower so your converter is not supplying power, but if you have solar, then you must also disconnect the fuse from the charge controller, or it will supply another 12V source in daylight.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit