Kwikee Electric Step Failed July 28, 2018, 09:13:36 pm Today the step stopped in the middle of retracting. When I opened the door I nearly slipped off of what was still visible. First glance looking down it looked OK but I realized after nearly going face first that it had stopped. Opening and closing the door or starting the ignition resulted in nothing happening, no sounds of any kind.We had to move a short distance and after we got back the door was open but the screen closed. Once when I opened the door it tried to move out then in when I closed it again but it wouldn't go. Since then it makes not a sound or appears to move. I can push it most of the way in or out but that is all.All the fuses for it are good which includes the one at the house battery and under the dash. I pulled the plug at the motor and it appeared clean and still showed some lube in it.I realize that we have not lubed it as often as we should and after almost 10 years on the road I suspect the motor may be bad. One question I have is this the correct motor? Amazon.com: Kwikee 379147 Motor Replacement Kit: AutomotiveLooking at a post from Larry back in 09 I'm wondering what is involved in getting the motor apart to clean it? I can say that the extent of my testing abilities are pretty much at my limit.Jim As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #1 – July 28, 2018, 11:38:09 pm I have a 2006 Laze Daze Anniversary EditionThe motor on our steps is 1101428The gear and linkage is 1101425You can try tapping on your motor. If the brushes are loose it may jar them back in place
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #2 – July 29, 2018, 12:17:53 am Jim,Mine failed about a week after I bought the coach. After trying everything I could to fix it, I finally just bought a new motor and it has worked perfectly for the past two years. I do lube it every trip.When I pulled the motor, I just matched the numbers found on the motor and bought another one online. The motor isn't expensive and the replacement is pretty simple.
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #3 – July 29, 2018, 03:46:48 am Quote from: Jim & Gayle - July 28, 2018, 09:13:36 pmLooking at a post from Larry back in 09 I'm wondering what is involved in getting the motor apart to clean it? I can say that the extent of my testing abilities are pretty much at my limit.Our electric step stopped working years ago. The motor had filled with dirt and jammed. It's been a while but I don't remember it being too difficult to removed and disassembled for cleaning. The step uses a power window motor that is not well sealed.The motor is difficult to test without removing. The gear box does not use limit switches, instead the circuit board monitors the motor's amperage draw, when it peaks, indicating the step is all the way open or closed, the circuit board shuts the power off.This feature saves the motor when the step is opening and runs into something before the step can completely extend, such as hitting a high curb.With a jammed motor, the circuit kicks out almost immediately, making it difficult to see if it is getting power .Besides the motor, the step's power and control plug corroded and needed cleaning and a application of dielectric grease.Also, the door's magnetic reed switch went south about ten years ago.Besides the above, it's been trouble free.A word of advice to those considering buying a new LD, pass on the electric step up unless you absolutely need it.Larry 2 Likes
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #4 – July 29, 2018, 10:39:43 am "A word of advice to those considering buying a new LD, pass on the electric step..."That brings up a point of curiosity, since Kwikee is out of business, who's step is LD using now??? 1 Likes
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #5 – July 29, 2018, 12:14:59 pm Some of you may have followed my latest thread regarding my Dometic refer that just quit after 6 months. In that thread I commented that in our experience, refers are the most troublesome appliance in an RV. I would have to rate the electric steps as number 2. Our experiences with the Kwikee over the years has been also very troublesome. I second the opinion of those who say avoid that option. On a low-slung LD, I don;t think an auto single-step it is a necessary option.
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #6 – July 29, 2018, 12:18:17 pm Oh, I should have also mentioned that on our last Winnebago rig, the thing that went haywire the most was the plug from the motor to the harness. Often that would get moisture in it. Try blowing/drying that block plug out. If that is the problem, when you snap it together again wrap it well with electrical tape.
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #7 – July 29, 2018, 12:27:42 pm Quote from: Ray S. - July 29, 2018, 12:18:17 pmOh, I should have also mentioned that on our last Winnebago rig, the thing that went haywire the most was the plug from the motor to the harness. Often that would get moisture in it. Try blowing/drying that block plug out. If that is the problem, when you snap it together again wrap it well with electrical tape.Cleaning the plug's contacts and then coating with dielectric grease will help prevent future problems.Amazon.com: Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease, 3 oz. Tube: AutomotiveThe grease prevents moisture from entering and contaminating the plug's contacts.Larry 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #8 – July 29, 2018, 02:04:44 pm "Our experiences with the Kwikee over the years has been also very troublesome."On the contrary, my Kwikee electric step has been ultra reliable over the past 13 years, never having had as much as a hiccup. The Kwikee levelers however are a different story... I've had to disconnect the control board on more than one occasion to reset the system, but outside of that they have been dependable also. 1 Likes
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #9 – July 30, 2018, 07:50:00 pm Ordered a new motor Saturday and it made it here today. In one of those rare celestial events replacement couldn't have been simpler. Three bolts out and it dropped out. Swapped the parts off the old shaft to the new and secured it in place. Imagine my surprise when it worked upon reconnecting the plug. I did use dielectric grease on both plugs.I was actually surprised because I had pulled the 5 amp fuse in the frig that said electric step. So that raises one question and that is which fuse actually disables it?Lubed the various points on the step and add that to a monthly list.Thanks for everyone's input.Jim 3 Likes
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #10 – July 30, 2018, 08:42:17 pm You have a 5 amp fuse in the refrigerator labeled 'electric step'? RonB
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #11 – July 30, 2018, 08:58:46 pm "...replacement couldn't have been simpler."Wow Jim, if you could do it I wouldn't hesitate!
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #12 – July 30, 2018, 09:12:10 pm Quote from: RonB - July 30, 2018, 08:42:17 pmYou have a 5 amp fuse in the refrigerator labeled 'electric step'? RonBYes, there is. Of course, there is also one in the battery compartment and one under the dash on the driver side. Do you have to pull them all?I believe the one in the frig is the same some people have behind the rocker button switch which we don't have.Jim
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #13 – July 30, 2018, 09:12:46 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - July 30, 2018, 08:58:46 pm"...replacement couldn't have been simpler."Wow Jim, if you could do it I wouldn't hesitate! That is a motto to live by. 2 Likes
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #14 – July 30, 2018, 11:40:34 pm Quote from: Jim & Gayle - July 30, 2018, 07:50:00 pmOrdered a new motor Saturday and it made it here today. In one of those rare celestial events replacement couldn't have been simpler. Three bolts out and it dropped out. Swapped the parts off the old shaft to the new and secured it in place. Imagine my surprise when it worked upon reconnecting the plug. I did use dielectric grease on both plugs.I was actually surprised because I had pulled the 5 amp fuse in the frig that said electric step. So that raises one question and that is which fuse actually disables it?Lubed the various points on the step and add that to a monthly list.Thanks for everyone's input.JimYou are my hero, Jim. Now I'm sorry I paid to have mine replaced. 😢Chris 2 Likes
Re: Kwikee Electric Step Failed Reply #15 – July 31, 2018, 11:45:51 am Quote from: Chris Horst - July 30, 2018, 11:40:34 pmYou are my hero, Jim. Now I'm sorry I paid to have mine replaced. 😢ChrisOf course, I had help. The video link here is from Lynne Braden someone we have met and hiked with a few years ago. I think she did a great job. You will see that she realized you don't have to disconnect anything but the motor. Lynn passed away a few months ago.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ4Rt5wJahUJim 2 Likes
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