Problem with my Kwikee Retractable Electric Step

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[TD="width: 100%, align: left"] I have a problem with my steps not wanting to stay out when we are parked. Also when the steps retract the motor continues to hum for a few seconds before shutting off. Any idea?

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Ron in SD

[GORDON HUMMEL]

What year is your coach?
Do you have a switch near the door? If so does it have an effect on operation?

[folivier]

You say the steps "hum", if it is chattering or jerking a little then the gear is probably bad.
What year is it?
I just changed the steps on my '93. Had to drill out 1 hole and change out the switch on the door to the new magnetic switch.

[BMG Coach]

Not sure what your step model number is but here is the Kwikee step tech info.



OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Turn the step power switch "on"
2. Close the door. The step should retract and lock in the up position.
3. Open the door. The step should extend and lock in the down position.
4. Turn the power switch off. The step should remain in the extended position. If equipped with an understep light, it should be off with the door closed.
5. With the power switch off, the step extended, and the entrance door closed, turn on the vehicle ignition. The ignition safety system should retract the step.
6. Turn the vehicle ignition off and open the door. The step should extend and lock in the out position (with the power switch off). This is the "last out" feature.

• WARNING: If the door is opened and closed without allowing the step to extend and fully lock in the out position, the step will retract and lock in the up position. When the door is opened again under this condition, the step will not extend. In other words the "last out" feature is only functional one time after ignition is turned off without starting the cycle over by turning power switch on, then off.
  When the vehicle ignition is on, the step will always activate with door movement regardless of power switch position.

1. The step may be locked in partially extended or retracted position by the "last out" feature if the entrance door is opened or closed while the step is in motion.

GENERAL SERVICE NOTES:

If the power to the step is disconnected and then reconnected, a current surge will more than likely cause a spark which is common. This does not necessarily indicate that the system is staying on.

If battery drain is suspected, observe the understep light(if equipped) while the step is extending. The power switch must be in the on position for the understep light to operate. When the step locks in the down position, the understep light should become noticeable brighter. If it does not, the control may not be shutting off. Turn the power switch off and unplug the four way plug between the control unit and the vehicle to prevent overheating the motor.

To further determine that the control unit is not shutting off, remove the two (2) screws from the connector on the motor leads between the motor and control unit. Remove the seal assembly. (See Figure 2) Place a voltmeter between the Red and Yellow motor leads then reconnect the four way plug. Turn the power switch on. If any voltage is read, the control unit is not shutting off and may be defective. When doing this test, switch the voltemeter leads back and forth between the Red and Yellow motor leads to be sure that no voltage reading is shown.

If the step does not work or operates erratically, such as extending part way and shutting off, the first item that should be checked is the vehicles battery. The voltage across the battery terminals should be at least 12.7 VDC with the engine running, or on shore power, and 12VDC when the coach is not on shore power or engine is not running. Monitor the battery voltage while extending or retracting the step. It should drop no lower that 11 VDC. When a battery is marginal the terminal voltage may fall as low as 8 VDC under load. and the control unit will shut off when the DC voltage drops below 9 VDC. When this happens, it will remember which function it was performing when voltage falls below 9 VDC and wait 2 to 5 seconds then will try to complete this function. If the required current drags the battery voltage below 9 VDC again, it will cycle off again for 2 to 5 seconds and continue this loop condition forever. This condition can also be caused by marginal or intermittent ground to the step. The step may also operate erratically if it is connected directly to a converter and the converter output is not adequately filtered to supply a clean DC voltage. Normally, your house battery is the filter for a large number of low end Converter/chargers and a defective or disconnected battery can cause this.
If the control unit is hooked up electrically backwards, the step will not operate.
If ground to the control unit is lost, either between the control unit and the step frame (green wire from control unit) or the step frame and the vehicle chassis (the braided ground cable) the step will not operate.
Check the step for physical damage. If the step has been struck by some kind of road hazard, the step mechanism may be bent, causing the step to bind. Check the tread, sliding rails, and extending arms for physical damage. Also check the pivot points for rust. (See the Lubrication and Maintenance Schedule).