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Old 01-07-2021, 04:36 PM   #1
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No power to stairs

2018 Precept 31UL, left home everything fine, got to camp site, stairs won't go down. The inline fuse is OK, doesn't appear to be getting power. Everything else in the coach seems to work. Checked the fuses and breakers under the bed, they're OK. Called Jayco, they said it's fed from the chassis battery. I checked the small fuses in the box over the radiator, they're OK. Any other thoughts?
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Old 01-07-2021, 08:27 PM   #2
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2018 Precept 31UL, left home everything fine, got to camp site, stairs won't go down. The inline fuse is OK, doesn't appear to be getting power. Everything else in the coach seems to work. Checked the fuses and breakers under the bed, they're OK. Called Jayco, they said it's fed from the chassis battery. I checked the small fuses in the box over the radiator, they're OK. Any other thoughts?
That happened to mine years back. Someone suggested to me that I tap on the motor with a small hammer or similar and sure enough it worked again after a few taps... for a while. I ended up replacing the motor. I would suggest trying the tap hammer plan and see if that helps for you as well. ~CA
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Old 01-07-2021, 08:48 PM   #3
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Thanks, I'll give it a try, but I think it's not getting power and I don't know where it's fed from.
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Old 01-07-2021, 08:54 PM   #4
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You are just guessing that no power is getting to the motor. Unless you take a measurement with a voltmeter, you will never be sure.

Also, there may be a magnetic switch that activates the motor. Just another possible trouble spot.
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Old 01-08-2021, 06:19 AM   #5
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You are just guessing that no power is getting to the motor. Unless you take a measurement with a voltmeter, you will never be sure.

Also, there may be a magnetic switch that activates the motor. Just another possible trouble spot.
I agree with Jim....
  1. Must check voltage at the motor.
  2. If no voltage.... check magnetic on screen door
  3. If OK, check voltage at the Auto Stairs switch.
  4. Also check fuse inside the rig by steering column under the dash
  5. Check continuity (with your voltmeter) of Motor ground to the chassis
  6. If still no power.... you may have a broken +12v DC wire... you can check continuity from the motor to the auto stairs switch.
  7. Lastly, apply + and - 12v leads from any battery direct to the motor to see if it works... if it does, it's not the motor.

Just some suggestions.
Mark
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Old 01-08-2021, 06:50 AM   #6
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I have had this same problem with my 2018 Precept. This seems to be a common problem. Everything checked fine that voltage was getting to the step motor. I tried the tap the motor method...no change.
I replaced the motor and all worked fine. I now carry a spare motor in the rig.
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Old 01-08-2021, 07:45 AM   #7
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2018 Precept 31UL, ...I checked the small fuses in the box over the radiator, they're OK. Any other thoughts?
On my rig (31FS) there is an inline fuse holder under the steps next to the stair motor. There is also a self re-setting circuit breaker somewhere in the circuit.

On one trip I spent many frustrating minutes troubleshooting what I thought was an electrical issue causing my steps to fail. I was out of ideas and as I was sitting there looking at the stuck steps, they magically began working again. My DW thought the look on my face was priceless. The issue turned out to be an old step motor with brushes so worn they were shorting out, causing the circuit breaker to kick off. Tapping the motor shook the filings loose and got it working again for a short while. That's when I decided to always have a spare motor.
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Old 01-08-2021, 08:01 AM   #8
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On other forums and the facebook precept group the problem with the motors failing is a very common topic.
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Old 01-08-2021, 08:16 AM   #9
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That's when I decided to always have a spare motor.
Where did/do you get a spare motor? What's a typical cost?

thx Mark
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Old 01-08-2021, 09:38 AM   #10
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Here is the link to Amazon where I purchased the motors: On Amazon $96.00

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 01-08-2021, 10:28 AM   #11
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Where did/do you get a spare motor? What's a typical cost?

thx Mark
Amazon, and it was about $90. The motor for your steps may be different, but not by much.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If the gearbox is the fault because a plastic gear stripped out, they have them as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-Compo...92G2MHBJY21XNG
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Old 01-08-2021, 11:21 AM   #12
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I agree with Jim....
  1. Must check voltage at the motor.
  2. If no voltage.... check magnetic on screen door
  3. If OK, check voltage at the Auto Stairs switch.
  4. Also check fuse inside the rig by steering column under the dash
  5. Check continuity (with your voltmeter) of Motor ground to the chassis
  6. If still no power.... you may have a broken +12v DC wire... you can check continuity from the motor to the auto stairs switch.
  7. Lastly, apply + and - 12v leads from any battery direct to the motor to see if it works... if it does, it's not the motor.

Just some suggestions.
Mark
I agree with this.

I fought with mine for too long before grabbing my DVOM. First test was "is the motor getting 12V through the harness when door opened or closed?" Answer was "yes"; bad motor. R&R motor, successful operation. Done.
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