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Old 09-20-2020, 07:06 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Florida
Posts: 10
THOR #15030
Kwikee Steps extend when engine starts

Pulled the RV (2018 Four Winds 24FS Sprinter) out into the yard yesterday, washed it and went to put it back in the shed. The steps closed when I shut the coach door. Turned the ignition on and I heard the steps extend. Shut the engine off to investigate and steps retracted when the engine shut down.

Steps work as normal without engine on extend when door opens, retract when door closes, stay out when extended and switch is turned to off.

Checked all connections, no apparent loose ones, cleaned both chassis ground wires by the step motor. Door switch seems to be positioned correctly based on the description above. Used hand-held magnet and it does what it's supposed to.

Checked all of the fuses and breakers I could find (coach panel, left side of drivers compartment by hood lever, under drivers seat (nothing under passenger's seat)). Found two fuse bars and six micro breakers under drivers seat, none tripped. Looks like also some relays also under drivers seat, but have to remove seat to get to them.

This is a safety problem with the steps extended while driving. Has anyone else run into the problem and what was the solution? I temporally unplugged the step controller to back it back intro the shed.

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Old 09-20-2020, 07:17 PM   #2
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Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
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THOR #8860
I hate to ask this...
Are you sure that both doors were closed and latched?
Sorry...
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Old 09-20-2020, 07:21 PM   #3
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THOR #15030
Yes, all doors were completely closed.
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Old 09-20-2020, 07:24 PM   #4
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THOR #8860
Then it's got to be the switches.
Loose connections... Chafed wires... A buggered-up switch...
You're well beyond my "pay grade" with this: good luck!
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Old 09-20-2020, 08:12 PM   #5
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THOR #14933
Had a similar problem, if lci they have a nice electrical check manual online. From that you perform various voltage checks. My problem was similar to yours ended up being switch near motor. Also got good tech support from lippert.
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Old 09-21-2020, 02:02 AM   #6
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Model: Damon Daybreak
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THOR #19133
The step controller gets 12 VDC from the ignition switch, or a source that is only hot when key is on. If it worked before, and is malfunctioning now, the controller is likely bad. It's mounted to the underside of the step. You will need the step part number to get the correct controller.
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Old 09-22-2020, 07:13 PM   #7
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Solution, hopefully

Trouble shot with Lippert support. Explained what the steps did and didn't do. Don the tech told me to check two voltages and in about 30 seconds told me it was the step controller. Ordered on today and will install it as soon as it arrives to confirm that he was correct.
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Old 09-22-2020, 08:53 PM   #8
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The best of luck to you with this solution!
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Old 09-23-2020, 04:08 AM   #9
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I second what Civrel said. Earlier this spring, we had it do the “steps go out when the ignition is on. Everything on ours operated fine otherwise. Wound up running the steps in and disconnecting the controller from the coach to get home. I did all the troubleshooting steps in the manual and everything checked out coming from the coach. Ordered a new controller and all has been well since it was installed.

Prior to that we also had a few times when the steps wouldn’t extend at all and it wasn’t until I had torn everything apart that it magically started working again. I’m still not sure whether that was the controller or maybe a dead spot on the motor. I’m hoping it was the controller and we’ve fixed both. Time will tell.
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Old 09-29-2020, 03:06 AM   #10
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THOR #19133
Make sure you lube the pivot points with lithium grease every 30 days of use.
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Old 09-29-2020, 01:46 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryS View Post
Make sure you lube the pivot points with lithium grease every 30 days of use.


When I was fixing mine from underneath I discovered that there are WAY more pivot points under there than you notice from outside. I’d never lubed most of them and I do now.
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Old 10-03-2020, 10:29 PM   #12
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I'm having problems where the steps were intermittent, and now don't work at all. Because they used to, I doubt its the wiring side. I plan on ordering a new controller and doing an r&r over the off season.
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Old 10-04-2020, 02:31 AM   #13
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THOR #19133
First, make sure the door switch is making contact properly. Follow the Kwikee step troubleshooting to make sure what is wrong before throwing parts at it.
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Old 12-02-2020, 07:03 PM   #14
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State: New Jersey
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THOR #8931
Quote:
Originally Posted by Civrel View Post
Pulled the RV (2018 Four Winds 24FS Sprinter) out into the yard yesterday, washed it and went to put it back in the shed. The steps closed when I shut the coach door. Turned the ignition on and I heard the steps extend. Shut the engine off to investigate and steps retracted when the engine shut down.

Steps work as normal without engine on extend when door opens, retract when door closes, stay out when extended and switch is turned to off.

Checked all connections, no apparent loose ones, cleaned both chassis ground wires by the step motor. Door switch seems to be positioned correctly based on the description above. Used hand-held magnet and it does what it's supposed to.

Checked all of the fuses and breakers I could find (coach panel, left side of drivers compartment by hood lever, under drivers seat (nothing under passenger's seat)). Found two fuse bars and six micro breakers under drivers seat, none tripped. Looks like also some relays also under drivers seat, but have to remove seat to get to them.

This is a safety problem with the steps extended while driving. Has anyone else run into the problem and what was the solution? I temporally unplugged the step controller to back it back intro the shed.
I had same problem with Thor 37rb 2018 rear steps. when engine started rear steps would go out and stay out. Had controller replaced everything is fine now
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Old 12-02-2020, 07:30 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryS View Post
Make sure you lube the pivot points with lithium grease every 30 days of use.
That till attract grime and grit since exposed. Use a greaseless lube.
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Old 12-03-2020, 04:11 PM   #16
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THOR #19133
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Originally Posted by Yaktop View Post
That till attract grime and grit since exposed. Use a greaseless lube.
Most spray lithium grease's will dry, and not remain wet and sticky.
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Old 12-03-2020, 04:39 PM   #17
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THOR #6826
If you’ve never crawled under your steps and looked you’d be surprised at all of the pivot points under there. If you only lube from the top you’re missing at least 50% of the mechanism. Probably the dirtiest part.
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Old 04-22-2022, 12:52 AM   #18
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State: Ontario
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THOR #26597
Quote:
Originally Posted by Civrel View Post
Trouble shot with Lippert support. Explained what the steps did and didn't do. Don the tech told me to check two voltages and in about 30 seconds told me it was the step controller. Ordered on today and will install it as soon as it arrives to confirm that he was correct.
Having the same exact issue. Do you recall what checks the tech had you do to confirm it was the module?

I am considering disconnection the "yellow ignition" wire, that goes to a fuse block (maybe just pop the fuse), but suspect that this action would be a temp solution if the module is failing. Included the diagram, hope it helps someone.

Thanks
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Old 04-22-2022, 02:37 AM   #19
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THOR #19133
https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd_0001628.pdf
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Old 04-22-2022, 09:15 AM   #20
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Thank you HarryS for the test procedure manual!
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