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Those little brass buttons

Yahoo Message Number: 55472
Greetings from the frozen tundra of St Augustine,
I am experiencing phantom (Kwikee) step extensions and retractions while driving. I suspect the dreaded Little Brass Button Gang.
Has anyone dismantled the two sets of four brass button contacts in the door jamb? Four on the door; four on the frame?
Does anyone have the diagram that explains the function of each contact? Are there four separate functions that are served by the contacts?
When the door closes, should the sets of buttons line up so that each one contacts only its opposite button? Mine appear to be slightly offset vertically, and I question how they make contact.
(I recently made a VERY SLIGHT adjustment to the door latch post, and the step troubles seem to have returned at about the same time. Probably a coincidence.)
I have had this problem infrequently in the past, and I always solved it with ultra fine sand paper to the buttons.

I'd appreciate your experiences with these little buggers.

Jay

05 Inspire daVinci 51457

Re: Those little brass buttons

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55474
The connection between the door and frame whether by cable or contacts will cause problems since the switch for the door position is in the door BOB 06 Intrigue 12047

Re: Those little brass buttons

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55475
Greetings from warm South Carlsbad State Beach overlooking the Pacific, will be 70 here today, changing into shorts soon. And people run CA down, not me!

Jay, I had the exact same problem on our 04 Allure. My problem was the switch in the door frame that operates the step. I removed mine (hard job), so if it happens again to me, I will use a can of contact cleaner and spray into the switch. Put the tube from the contact cleaner head right next to where the switch is mounted and spray, manually push the switch a few time and spray again. I did this two years ago and all has been good. You can get a can of spray contact cleaner at NAPA or any auto parts type store. My switch is located four inches from the bottom of the metal door jam. Scares the H out of you when driving and it opens! John 04 Allure 31060

--- On Thu, 1/7/10, pelicanreef120 wrote:

Re: Those little brass buttons

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55484

Not sure which other models use the button contact strips but being a fellow Inspire owner I know exactly what item you are talking about. Neither here nor there but they are common in street rods as well.
I find I must "clean" mine periodically. Resistance (corrosion) builds up and the low operating voltage doesn't like it much. I use some fine sandpaper, 2000 if I have it but nothing coarser than 600 - should be able to find it in any chain auto parts store. Just get the contact points shiny clean. This usually keeps the contacts working for the season until the rig sits again in storage.
Something like steel wool would also work but you would need to disconnect power as you could causes shorts across the contacts and blow fuse(s).
I have never had to remove the contact strips from the door/door jamb to do this. Worth a try and cheap with cost near nil.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Those little brass buttons - fixed.

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55485
Following the advice of CC-trained tech Kevin Waite, I removed the two screws that hold the button assembly into the door FRAME (not the DOOR itself). The assembly effortlessly came out, with its four wires attached.
The back of the assembly is exposed to the elements. It was completely covered in road grime.
I marked the wires and popped the butt connectors off the assembly. All four connectors were corroded pretty well.
I cleaned the connectors and tightened the crimp slightly with a crimping tool. I applied "Corrosion Block"?.
I cleaned the button assembly and applied corrosion block. On the rear of the assembly (the exposed part) opposite the buttons, each button terminates in a brass bolt with a small nut on it. The nut is used to adjust the amount of protrusion of the button. Push in the button and turn the nut with your finger. With the assembly removed, I again polished the little brass buttons.
The butt connectors slide onto the ends of each bolt. They should go back on firmly. Reinstall the assembly. Presto. Twenty minutes.

Road test soon.

While I was working in the door frame, I discovered the screws holding the door check assembly into the frame were pretty loose. You might check those too.
Back to Kevin. When I send out my call for help yesterday, Kevin replied and suggested I call him. He gave me a step-by-step. He was right on the money. I would highly recommend Kevin for any work you might need on your coach.
Thanks also to all of you who weighed in. There's just something about having my stairs come out while I'm driving that makes me nervous.

Jay
 

Those little brass buttons

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55499
Hi Jay

I have had continuing issues with the door contacts properly operating the step. I keep a small piece of " emery cloth " just inside the door and clean them

every time the step malfunctions, usually ever 2 or 3 months.

The top contact is +12 v , (for the remote door lock control} the second and the third contact are negative ground, and the fourth contact is connected to the third contact inside the door. I think this contact provides a negative signal to the step when the door is closed.

I have recently replaced the remote door lock control with a unit having a third button. I was able to free up the third contact by moving the " in door" jumper wire between contacts 2 and 4. This made contact 3 available to carry a signal to an interval relay which turns on the 4 outside curb lights on for 5 minutes

after the third button on the lock transmitter is pushed. This provides very good illumination when returning to the coach after dark.

Tom

04 Inspire 51017