Auto steps

[BethD]

Took our new to us 2019 Greyhawk 29MVP out on maiden voyage weekend before last. Everything worked as it should. When we arrived home and opened the door to unpack, the auto steps wouldn’t extend. Did some troubleshooting with the help of friends (I don’t know much about wiring or motors). None of the normal look fors corrected the problem. Changed the controller and steps still did not work, so I installed a new motor and now steps will move… only they retract when the door is open and extend when the door is closed. When I installed the new controller, I matched the wires color to same color. Google University says I have wires crossed, but I don’t know which wires to switch. Any help would be appreciated!

[Grumpy]

Just reverse the two wires from the motor to see if it changes directions.

[BethD]

It seems there are more than two wires running to the motor, but I’ll look at them again tomorrow. Thanks for your response.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Just be very careful working on the steps and never get under them when “Testing”. Very easy to get squished between the steps and the ground…speaking from a bad experience many years ago.

Another Life Lesson learned the hard way..

[BethD]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

Just be very careful working on the steps and never get under them when “Testing”. Very easy to get squished between the steps and the ground…speaking from a bad experience many years ago.

Another Life Lesson learned the hard way..

Thank you for the warning! I did read that in the course of researching troubleshooting ideas, or I would have learned the hard way too! Thanks again for sharing!

[BethD]

I am at a loss... I decided to put the old controller back on since things worked normally when it was connected and I concluded that the motor was the issue. I thought maybe something was cross-wired in the new controller. When I put the old controller back on, the steps did work, but still backward (steps down when door closed and steps up when it opened). Could the new motor be wired backward? I would hate to cut and switch the controller wires and ruin it if that is not the issue. Thanks in advance for any tips.

[Grumpy]

How many wires on the motor? I'm guessing 3, 2 hot and 1 ground. Just reverse the 2 hot wires.

[BethD]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

How many wires on the motor? I'm guessing 3, 2 hot and 1 ground. Just reverse the 2 hot wires.

Grumpy, thanks for your response. There are only 2 wires . I will try to attach a photo. I guess I just cut the two wires and splice them to the opposite wire? The photo is written on because I sent the pic to my BIL for some advice.

[Grumpy]

Can you flip the plug on the motor? Or is that plug directly from the controller?

[BethD]

I can’t flip it . I tried. The plug comes directly from the controller.

[BethD]

Here is pic of the wires coming from the controller and the plug that plugs into the motorz

[BethD]

Here is a better angle

[Route 66 Traveler]

You might try taking making two jumper wires that you can use to connect the yellow wire to the red socket, and the red wire to the yellow socket. If that works, then the plug or controller are miswired. Usually reversing the wires on a 12 volt motor will reverse it’s rotation.

[BethD]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

You might try taking making two jumper wires that you can use to connect the yellow wire to the red socket, and the red wire to the yellow socket. If that works, then the plug or controller are miswired. Usually reversing the wires on a 12 volt motor will reverse it’s rotation.

Thank you for your response! I tried two different controllers and using either the steps still worked in reverse. I think the issue is with the motor. I talked to my BIL who used to work on air conditioners and he said he’s had a motors that were wired in reverse. I will try switching the wires. I’ll have to find a “ jumper wire for dummies” video. 😃

[Grumpy]

Can you just swap the wires in the plug? Sometimes using a small screw driver or ice-pick you can pull the wires out of the plug and reverse them without cutting. Since the motor's DC that will change the direction. Somehow the motor and gear box are out 180 degrees.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Just take two small pieces of wire, strip the insulation off of the ends, and use those to make the connections. It’s just a temporary connection to check the proper operation of the steps.

[BethD]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Can you just swap the wires in the plug? Sometimes using a small screw driver or ice-pick you can pull the wires out of the plug and reverse them without cutting. Since the motor's DC that will change the direction. Somehow the motor and gear box are out 180 degrees.

I will definitely check that! Thanks!

[GaryNK]

where is the controller? I'm having a new issue with mine

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by BethD

I will definitely check that! Thanks!

When I swapped in a new motor on mine - I swapped in everything as it was before. And, yes, like you the steps operated backwards. This was three years ago.

I did what Grumpy suggested. With a needlenose pliers, you can wiggle the wires out of the connector. Swapped 'em and the steps started working again.






Until last month, when the steps are having *new* problems. I'm thinking it's a helluva lot less work on me if I just print a sign on the exit door that says: "JUMP!!!"

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by GaryNK

where is the controller? I'm having a new issue with mine

The controller is a rectangular box that is bolted underneath the house on mine. Drop the steps for access and follow the wires.