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Kwikee Step Problem..

Yahoo Message Number: 72696
I'm having a problem with my steps, they would not retract a few days ago and I disconnected the bars and held them in with a bungee cord... I have (today) tried to figure out whats wrong and I checked the motor and it works when wired straight to battery...so it must be in the switches or a fuse, I have checked the fuses in the compartment under the driver., they seem to be Ok.. I keep seeing reference to a 5 or 6 amp fuse somewhere in line, does anyone know where that fuse is located., it has something to do with the override switch? I also checked the door switch with an Ohm meter and it seemed to be OK, but the step lite on the inside does not come on now...Any help will be greatly appreciated...
I did download the trouble shoot guide from kwikee tonight and will go thro that test tomorrow... just can't seem to find that 5or6 amp in line fuse...

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72719
I had the same problem and it drove me nuts till I disconnected the main electrical plug, cleaned it with electrical cleaner, and voile! Problem fixed. Just dirty contacts. A common cause of these problems. Good luck.

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72721
Marvin,

There's a SPDT micro switch in the door jam which grounds the entry step light and lead that signals the steps to close. Photo is here: http://muniac.smugmug.com/Maintenance/Entry-Step-Repair/i-2JCL5dc/0/M/img1252-M.jpg In my case, constant flexing of the multi conductor cable broke one of the leads off the terminal block. Turns out it was the step retract lead. Reattaching the lead and tie wrapping the cable fixed the problem. I also had conductors break inside the cable (different repair) for the same flexing reason. That time my key fob shut down. The step connector underneath on my bus is water tight. But any failure in the retract grounding signal will leave your steps extended. The connector is also a possibility. Check everything. There's a wiring diagram of the control module leads explaining the colors on the mfg's web site. I can't remember whether the step retract lead is brown or white. Using a VOM will tell you whether it's being grounded when the door closes. Hope this helps and good luck.

At 06:38 PM 7/13/2011, you wrote:

Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72731
Scott,

I have narrowed it down to the cable thro the door, or connection that attaches to the Cable. I can move the Cable back and forth and get the interior step light to come on, I have not located the source of the failure, the cable or the connectors.. I am trying to figure how to change the cable out, there are no #'s on the wire on the outside under the front passinger side, and they are all black thro the Cable...Now it is harder to get the light to come on, must have totally lost connection... Will try again tomorrow... Thanks for the info..
You mentioned that you change out the cable, where did you locate the Cable, 12 wire looks like maybe 18 ga. or maybe 16ga...?? Marvin 07 Allure 470 #31459

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72733
Many have had the same problem, me included although my step switch wasn't affected. I got the replacement cable, all directions and the wiring diagram from Kevin Waite; he's expert at the problem and I'm sure will help you out; he has them made, but there seems to be some different configurations out there so check with him first

Roger Harper 2006 Intrigue
#11990

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72734
Scott, I have recently had the same problem and it indeed turned out to be the cable that exits the door frame and enters the door. That cable has about twenty or thirty small wires (like telephone wire) that connect to various things. In my case the TriMark alarm system was mounted inside the door. Over the years that cable chaffs and wears through. What happened with my coach was that sometimes the step would either extend or retract for no apparent reason. Some times the door would lock using the key fob, sometime not! Some times the alarm would arm, some times not. In my case the worn cable shorted out the alarm system and I had to have it replaced. My problem was resolved by replacing the cable with an armored cable and removing the alarm module from the door and remounting the module to the fire wall next to the alarm horn. Doing this reduced the number of wires that had to be in the cable transiting the door jamb and the door itself. My only problem was that TriMark no longer produced that particular alarm module. I put in a call to CCC and they researched it and found that TriMark currently produced a module that was supposed to be a direct replacement. As it turned out it was not a direct replacement, but a little tinkering got it to work just fine.
While I was at country coach for other repairs, the coach next to me had a very similar problem and CCC replaced the cable that day.

Mike & Nicky

06 Intrigue #11997

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72741
Marvin,

I didn't change the cable I was able to pull some excess through, strip the cable sheath back before the broken wires then reconnect the wires one at a time so as not to mix up the conductors. Obviously I cut out the ones that were broken in the process. I think the black wires have a small number printed on them. Look carefully and you should see that. Make a diagram if you are planning a total rewiring. It's easy to get the wiring mixed up which would be a real mess. That's why I did it one at a time. Glad the information was helpful. That's what this news group is all about. Good luck

At 01:49 PM 7/14/2011, you wrote:

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72742
Mike,

I rerouted the cable with an arc to match that of the door swing. I've lubricated the cable and grommets with silicon wire connector grease. So far so good. The cable pays in and out without stress now. We'll see over time how this works out. Per usual the OEM design is flawed making for an unnecessary repair later usually at an inopportune time. Door jam cabling requires special care, proper grommets and a strain relieved loop of high flex cable. You just can't slam a vinyl multi conductor cable through a couple of holes and hope for the best. I draw attention to the difference between a real solution and just buying time until the next repair. That said, I'm glad this has come to light and we're all getting our busses working again. A rogue entry step extension could be extremely dangerous.

At 02:10 PM 7/14/2011, you wrote:

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72787
Just started following the thread on the Kwikee Step problem because I experienced a rogue entry step extension a few days ago while traveling through a narrow construction zone. The step extended hitting a road cone which lodged between the lower step and pavement. By the time I could pull off the roadway and stop, the cone had basically ripped the step assembly off the coach.

So my thanks to all of you technical types for your trouble shooting abilities. Now, I will try to get the steps straightened and follow your posted suggestions to prevent another dreadful step experience.

Mike Womack

'08 Intrigue, #12239

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72809
I found my problem, after about 3days of head aches, the #4 wire in the door, which is the Common, was loosing its ground, there were 2 extra wires so I used one of them and connected to the Green Grnd and all was well, working like a well oiled whatever.. Clock maybe...Thanks for the help, my problem was about the same as Scott's, the wire through the door...
Marvin, 07 Allure, 470 #31459

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72827
Mike,

Glad you're back up and running. It always feels good getting a project done.

At 05:34 PM 7/17/2011, you wrote:

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72873
Mike,

Really sorry to hear about your dreadful situation. I'm glad it wasn't more serious. Your bus is a bit new for this type of problem?? It almost makes one want to pull the fuse/breaker before traveling. A dead set of steps couldn't extended. Good luck with repairs.

At 08:15 PM 7/16/2011, you wrote:
 

Re: Kwikee Step Problem..

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72875
Hello to ALL:

The proper installation of the entry door harness would be to have the slack in the harness inside the entry door so when the door is opened & closed the harness will run in and out the door and not the door jam, this will ensure the harness will not kink.
Anyone needing a new entry door harness, feel free to contact me & I can custom make you one for your particular model & coach number.

Kevin Waite (Former Country Coach Service Tech.) K&M Mobile R.V. Repair LLC
95430 Noraton Rd.

Junction City, OR. 97448
541-998-8132 (Home/Office)
541-953-6162 (Cell)

kvn.wt.7629@...