Steps won’t extend

[Boucher30]

My steps have all of a sudden stopped extending outward any and all is appreciated. I have checked the fuse it seems fine so now what? Btw my wife will be forever thankful if she can get these working again.

 

[craigav]

A long time ago I had neglected lubricating my steps and that same problem (failure to extend) occurred and was resolved by using spray silicone lubricant. A few years after that, the motor for the steps failed and that failure was not a complete failure as the steps would work sometimes and sometimes not, I thought it was a lubrication issue but ended up being the motor itself.

There could be other issues such as damaged wiring, key on in the ignition, blown fuse (at the step controller) etc, but I would lubricate it all very well before I did a lot of other diagnostic work on them. When my steps first got stuck due to a lack of lubrication, they would still work some by pulling on them while opening the door. ~CA

 

[Daniel3359]

Mine do that from time to time. Once it was the motor, all other times it was related to the cab battery.

 

[Boucher30]

A long time ago I had neglected lubricating my steps and that same problem (failure to extend) occurred and was resolved by using spray silicone lubricant. A few years after that, the motor for the steps failed and that failure was not a complete failure as the steps would work sometimes and sometimes not, I thought it was a lubrication issue but ended up being the motor itself.

There could be other issues such as damaged wiring, key on in the ignition, blown fuse (at the step controller) etc, but I would lubricate it all very well before I did a lot of other diagnostic work on them. When my steps first got stuck due to a lack of lubrication, they would still work some by pulling on them while opening the door. ~CA

I hear nothing that even sounds like it’s trying to come down do you think that means motor or did yours do that and needed lubricating?

 

[Boucher30]

Mine do that from time to time. Once it was the motor, all other times it was related to the cab battery.

The battery that controls the onboard generator?

 

[craigav]

I hear nothing that even sounds like it’s trying to come down do you think that means motor or did yours do that and needed lubricating?

I have had mine stuck in two different ways so to speak. The first time it became stuck I hadn't been in the RV for about a month and the motor made no noise whatsoever. I lubricated each area and moved (tried to move) the steps a little back and forth to get the lubricant in the mechanism and then it started working again. In the second case and right after the first and on occasion, the steps would move a little but no more and with that I did hear the motor struggle.

What I would suggest is to take a good look at all the moving parts and pins and lubricate them anyway if you haven't done so lately. I usually do mine ~twice a year.

As a note, the motor is similar to an electric window motor and when the window is all the way up or down it can go no further and the motor will make no noise if you try. Same with the steps and if they are stuck completely or not.

Someone here has a guide regarding the electric steps, I will check and see if I can find it and link it below. ~CA

 

[craigav]

I had thought JimD created a guide but I think this is the link that I was thinking of which has a lot of great information that should help you troubleshoot and fix your steps. In this Link Jim explained his testings and also shared a lot of links that you will find of value.

Troubleshooting Electric Step Problems

Here is a lot of info that may help diagnose electric step problems. I just completed repair on my electric steps and it was much easier than I originally thought. My symptom was the steps would not extend no matter what I did. This happened once before but cleared up when I started the engine...

www.jaycoowners.com

BTW, JimD has shared some RV electrical guides on the forum that he has written that you may find of value. Just search on his name and "guide".

While I was looking I also found this link that instead of documents has some good youtubes regarding how to troubleshoot the steps.

Kwikee steps quit working

The Kwikee steps quit working during traveling to our next destination. I have determined the motor is good. Seems I don't have power coming to the control unit. I looked at the fuses located by the steps - all good. Is there another fuse/fuses somewhere that I need to check? If so, is...

www.jaycoowners.com

Fortunately for mine, all I have ever had to do is lubricate all the moving parts (and I now keep it all lubricated) and then replace the motor once. I am fortunate not to have broken wires or blown fuses or other issues that some others here have had. The motor was actually working on mine when I replaced it as it had become slow and unreliable even with everything well lubricated. ~CA

 

[Daniel3359]

The battery that controls the onboard generator?

no, the battery to the vehicle. That's how they are powered

 

[Stavman]

Be sure the magnet on the screen door is still there

Also stairs are tied into Cab Battery

 

[dvspl]

Do you have Kwikee steps? You can find manuals and troubleshooting guides here: Kwikee® Steps | Lippert Customer Care Center

 

[Boucher30]

Do you have Kwikee steps? You can find manuals and troubleshooting guides here: Kwikee® Steps | Lippert Customer Care Center

Not sure I will check. Been busy but will do some of these troubleshooting tips Thanks to all

 

[201822j]

I have had all 3 scenarios.
- First trip out, get packed up to come home, steps won't retract. I have to disconnect from motor and tie steps up. The was because magnet came unglued from door. Took to dealer (I didn't know there where even magnets that controlled them). Lost a month waiting for an appointment. The dealer glued new ones back in. I immediately screwed them in. No that I think about, I should buy an extra pair.
- Next during winter storage they wouldn't do anything. I had not put engine battery (Steps run from this battery) on a trickle charger and I had killed battery. New battery and they worked fine.
- 3rd, they would sort of work but sometime not. Sprayed lubricant in all the pivot points and the steps worked as designed. I now periodically spray lubricant through out the season and winter.
They are finicky but if all three things are good, then they will work as expected. Of course a bad motor will also certainly put them out of commission.

 

[Boucher30]

Be sure the magnet on the screen door is still there

Also stairs are tied into Cab Battery

Does anyone have a pic of what the magnets should look like? To make sure mine are correct and not missing anything. Tia

 

[pconroy]

Mine looks like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Kwikee-369299-Magnetic-Switch-Step/dp/B01DK1EU38/ref=asc_df_B01DK1EU38?mcid=0b80b3afa1dc3031a2c2e4cd04a8ca70&hvocijid=9769122572621042694-B01DK1EU38-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=730432682330&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9769122572621042694&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028890&hvtargid=pla-2281435177618&psc=1

 

[Jayco 24B]

I just fixed mine. Step control unit had to be replaced. YouTube has lots of videos how to verify what's wrong before you buy parts.
Here is a link to the controller.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CF5GMTDF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1