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Stair well cover won't retract

Yahoo Message Number: 93281
My stair well cover extended but won't retract. Earlier it would extend with either the dash switch or the passenger switch but it would only retract with the passenger switch. Now neither switch will retract the cover. I suspect a loose connection somewhere, In the meantime I would like to just disconnect the motor or linkage and retract it by hand. Can anyone tell me where the operating mechanism is located?

Norm

2004 Intrigue #11773

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93282
[quote author=]
> My stair well cover extended but won't retract. Earlier it would extend with either the dash switch or the passenger switch but it would only retract with the passenger switch. Now neither switch will retract the cover. I suspect a loose connection somewhere, In the meantime I would like to just disconnect the motor or linkage and retract it by hand. Can anyone tell me where the operating mechanism is located? >

Norm

2004 Intrigue #11773[/quote]
It is my experience that most likely all you need to do is to clean the slide rails and lube the traveling rod under the slide. I use brake fluid to clean the rails and silicone spray as a lubricant. The all should work OK.

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93283
Norm:

The mechanism is behind the step and not too easily accessed.

You basically have to lay on the ground and work behind the step.

But........Before you go tp all that trouble please look for a wire or group of wires that are attached to a bolt on the step framing. This is a ground return. This connection often gets corroded and becomes intermittent. I have been there before and done that.

It saves a lot of work.

Clean the connections and all may be well.

Jim Green Intrigue 11021 160,000mile plus

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93285
Eric and the boys at Priemere motor coach service center in Tucson fixed my long standing problem with my cover. There are two micro switches in the circuit that stop the cover at each end of travel. One is easily replaced in the field the other isn't. So I have been fighting the cover off an on from almost day one for nine years. The techs at my first visit just by passed them last year. No problems since. You have to think now when you use the switches and disengage them promptly at the completed end of travel as not to over heat the motor, but I think we can handle that.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93286
On my elder rig, the step cover actuator rail extends into the front driver side basement compartment.
There is a limit switch in that rail's cover. If the steps will not retract, I tap it with a hammer (love the hammer solutions) and it is good for another 8 weeks.
Also make sure the edge slides inside the rig are clean and lubricated occasionally.

Dean

95 Magna 5280

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93287
Norm,

The operating mechanism for the stair cover is located on the ceiling of the driver side bay just forward of the left front steer tire, It's a basic rack and pinion set-up.

Can you hear the motor running when you operate the switches? If so, you may find that the set screw that holds the pinion gear on the end of the motor shaft has loosened. The shaft has a flat spot to accommodate the set screw.

That's what it was when mine quit working. About 20 minutes an allen wrench and a little Loc-tite solved the problem.

Dave Trotter

01 Intrigue 11215

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93288
Thank you all for the great suggestions. I THINK I found the problem. I wiggled the wires at the passenger switch and it started working. I replaced what I think was a bad crimp on a green wire (but not the big green ground wire) and it is now working. I am keeping my fingers crossed. We are currently parked near very salty sea water in Baja Mexico so corrosion could be a factor. When I can get under the coach I will look at the micro switches also because I am not fully convinced the problem is completely repaired..

Norm

2004 Intrigue #11773

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93292
In our '04 Allure the motor isn't easily accessible. Our problem is a bad limit switch. On ours, the limit switch is located in the electrical bay on the driver's side front. We hit it with a hammer and it worked temporarily so we could open it. We tried to have it repaired at an RV shop but they couldn't get to it so we just left the step open and stopped closing it. It's on our list to repair but we've been told it's not an easy or quick repair. Maybe on our next trip to CC in Oregon?? Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93293
As a temporary work around try pushing/pulling/jerking the slide step with your hand while holding down the switch. Worked for me.

Larry 03 Allure 30856

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93296
Lonny and Diane.........

Are you driving around with the steps out??????? I sure would like to know what you did or are doing to get it fixed. Remember.....I have the exact same unit as you do # 31094 Allure Seaside 34'. Please keep me informed as to the outcome. Thanks!
Scott Jones, # 31094 Allure 2004 Seaside with 47,000 on her Here in So. California


On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 12:06 PM, "larry.feather@..." wrote:

As a temporary work around try pushing/pulling/jerking the slide step with your hand while holding down the switch. Worked for me.

Larry 03 Allure 30856


Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93297
Scott,

I thought this thread was about an inside step well cover. That's the one that has caused us problems and that is very difficult to fix. No problems with the outside step. (hope I don't jinx it! LOL).
Our Allure has 110,000 miles on him (Big Blue we call him). We still love our Country Coach. We full time in it.
Lonny & Diane Livingston
now in Tampa FL
'04 Allure #31065



On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 4:01 PM, scott jones wrote:

Lonny and Diane.........

Are you driving around with the steps out??????? I sure would like to know what you did or are doing to get it fixed. Remember.....I have the exact same unit as you do # 31094 Allure Seaside 34'. Please keep me informed as to the outcome. Thanks!
Scott Jones, # 31094 Allure 2004 Seaside with 47,000 on her Here in So. California


On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 12:06 PM, "larry.feather@..." wrote:

As a temporary work around try pushing/pulling/jerking the slide step with your hand while holding down the switch. Worked for me.

Larry 03 Allure 30856





Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93299
Diane and Lonny,

I feel your pain.... I also recently have been fighting that step well cover. Mine stopped working all together. the motor was removed, attempted to be rebuilt and finally it was replaced with a new motor. Has caused me nothing but minor problems since.
Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495
2 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal


On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 1:36 PM, Diane Livingston wrote:

Scott,

I thought this thread was about an inside step well cover. That's the one that has caused us problems and that is very difficult to fix. No problems with the outside step. (hope I don't jinx it! LOL).
Our Allure has 110,000 miles on him (Big Blue we call him). We still love our Country Coach. We full time in it.
Lonny & Diane Livingston
now in Tampa FL
'04 Allure #31065



On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 4:01 PM, scott jones wrote:

Lonny and Diane.........

Are you driving around with the steps out??????? I sure would like to know what you did or are doing to get it fixed. Remember.....I have the exact same unit as you do # 31094 Allure Seaside 34'. Please keep me informed as to the outcome. Thanks!
Scott Jones, # 31094 Allure 2004 Seaside with 47,000 on her Here in So. California


On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 12:06 PM, "larry.feather@..." wrote:

As a temporary work around try pushing/pulling/jerking the slide step with your hand while holding down the switch. Worked for me.

Larry 03 Allure 30856








Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Stair well cover won't retract

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93302
Lonny and Diane and group,


Please excuse me. I did NOT pay close attention to the subject before I inserted "foot" forgive me please..........I will sit back and continue to observe and learn. Thanks also for your patience Dave, Norm, and Dean. Diane please let me know what you found when you finally get it working again. I would really like to know. Thanks all!
Scott Jones 2004 Country Coach Allure # 31094, 47,000 miles 2006 CR-V Honda


On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 3:24 PM, Dave Hansen wrote:

Diane and Lonny,

I feel your pain.... I also recently have been fighting that step well cover. Mine stopped working all together. the motor was removed, attempted to be rebuilt and finally it was replaced with a new motor. Has caused me nothing but minor problems since.
Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495
2 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal


On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 1:36 PM, Diane Livingston wrote:

Scott,

I thought this thread was about an inside step well cover. That's the one that has caused us problems and that is very difficult to fix. No problems with the outside step. (hope I don't jinx it! LOL).
Our Allure has 110,000 miles on him (Big Blue we call him). We still love our Country Coach. We full time in it.
Lonny & Diane Livingston
now in Tampa FL
'04 Allure #31065



On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 4:01 PM, scott jones wrote:

Lonny and Diane.........

Are you driving around with the steps out??????? I sure would like to know what you did or are doing to get it fixed. Remember.....I have the exact same unit as you do # 31094 Allure Seaside 34'. Please keep me informed as to the outcome. Thanks!
Scott Jones, # 31094 Allure 2004 Seaside with 47,000 on her Here in So. California


On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 12:06 PM, "larry.feather@..." wrote:

As a temporary work around try pushing/pulling/jerking the slide step with your hand while holding down the switch. Worked for me.

Larry 03 Allure 30856