Electric step problems (again)

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Electric step problems (again)

September 02, 2024, 05:59:49 pm

My electric step stopped working a few years ago. The light under the front door and the clicking sounds of the screen door still worked. When I took the motor out and ran it without a connection to the step, it worked. I cleaned everything, greased everything and reassembled it. It worked for several years after that.

A few months ago, the step stopped working again. The light under the front door and the clicking sounds of the screen door still worked. When I took the motor out and ran it without connecting it to the gearbox, it worked. I cleaned the already clean gearbox again, greased everything (with lithium grease) and reassembled it.

This time it only worked for about a week. Now I'm back to where I was twice before: the step is extended, the light under the entrance door and the click of the screen door work, but the step doesn't retract - neither when closing the screen door nor when starting the engine.

I would like to point out that I was able to move the step quite well and easily by hand and without any squeaking noises when it was not connected to the motor. I could push it in easily and when I let go, it came out again without any problems.

Doesn't the fact that the light under the door still works and the screen door still clicks when the 2-wire plug is connected mean that the 2-wire plug is definitely not the problem? Or would it make sense to replace it?

What else might be going on here?

Thanks for your tips!

Klaus

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #1 – September 02, 2024, 06:13:21 pm

Hi!

Have you checked on your house batteries? We had the electric step go wacky and seemingly unrelatedly, the radio would go on when the truck was turned off. Turned out, the house batteries were too old (a very simplified explanation). When they were replaced, all returned to normal.

Or, this is something else.

Good luck.

TinaP
former owner of "Wild Thing" 2006 MB

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #2 – September 02, 2024, 06:39:53 pm

Thanks, Tina. I've been hooked up to shore power for 6 weeks, and both recent (unsuccessful) repairs took place while I was here. In both cases the steps first worked for some days and then stopped working - while being on shore power. I doubt that not enough power is the problem here. Klaus

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #3 – September 02, 2024, 07:01:53 pm

Replace the motor. The brushes wear out. Just a guess. Or fiddle with it forever.

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #4 – September 02, 2024, 07:17:36 pm

Contact Kwikee Customer support and see if they can help. Mine went out and they were very helpful with the replacement.
Link to the whole step at Lippert

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #5 – September 02, 2024, 07:22:59 pm

The older Kwikee automatic steps used an unsealed power window motor. Our 2003’s step motor froze solid with silt and needed replacement after I had cleaned it twice. The later motors are better sealed and do not have as many issues.
Etrsiler sells replacement parts, not sure if the newer motors fit the old gearboxes. I replaced both the motor and damaged gearbox the last go around.
You will need the step's serial numbers for ordering parts, Kwikee has many variations of steps.

Larry

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #6 – September 03, 2024, 03:53:36 pm

I agree with Larry that the motor is most likely the culprit. I just replaced mine last month. The worm gear on these motors is made of plastic and they wear out. I would advise NOT buying from Kwikee. They charge 5 times the price. I got mine on Amazon for under $30.

If you do replace the motor with one from Amazon, make sure the bolts that come with it are the same length as the original ones. Mine were not and I did not notice which led to breaking a bolt while reattaching it. That was a pain getting it out. Just use the original bolts from the defective motor. Make sure to save and reinstall the two washer spacers and the little gear that goes up into the gearbox. They do not come with the new motor.

The gear that the motor drives in the gearbox is made of metal and is much less likely to break.

Mike S.

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #7 – September 03, 2024, 06:14:48 pm

"I would advise NOT buying from Kwikee."

Hmmm, I thought Kwikee was out of business! Have they revived themselves?

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #8 – September 04, 2024, 03:19:21 am

Hi Steve; Just the steps and parts bought by Lippert. Amazon.com : kwikee step parts . Some parts available from Amazon and other vendors. RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #9 – September 04, 2024, 12:50:10 pm

"Hi Steve; Just the steps and parts bought by Lippert."

Much grass, Ron. Always good to have a ready source if you need it!

Re: Electric step problems (again)

Reply #10 – September 19, 2024, 10:39:08 pm

Now it’s my turn which is a joyless experience. A cleaned up version of what I said earlier today … oh Dang!

The step is in the closed position and doesn’t extend when the door opens. There’s no sounds. From what I’ve read it’s probably a failed motor.

I know what we’re doing tomorrow morning which is more trouble shooting in 96 degrees. 🙄

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