Electric RV Steps Troubleshooting [7 Easy Solutions]
- Check the control board to make sure that it has power
- Check the motor to make sure that it has power
- Check the switches to make sure that they have power
- Look for debris or wires that might be in the way of the steps Most of the time, the solution to non-working RV steps is very simple and the reason ...
- Check the wiring around the steps. ...
Full Answer
How do I know if my RV steps are bad?
If it shows a positive or negative 12 volts, then there’s possibly something wrong with your motor. Check For Power at The Control Board. The motor controller board is the brains of your RV steps. This ensures that you can control the RV steps with a push of a button or by flicking a toggle switch.
Are automatic RV steps easy to repair?
Automatic steps on an RV certainly add convenience and even a cool factor. But automatic RV steps have many moving parts and take a lot of abuse from us constantly stepping on them. Those moving parts eventually wear out and need replacing. I’ll show you how easy it is to save money and repair your broken automatic RV steps yourself.
How do I troubleshoot my Electric RV step motor?
Make sure that the electric RV step motor is operating when it receives 12VDC. To check this, you need to disconnect the motor from the controller. Check the DC voltage reading using a multimeter. Activate it and make sure that it has a reading of 12 volts.
Why won’t my RV steps extend?
Another reason your RV steps will not extend is that the battery power may not be reaching the motor or control board. Fix It Yourself is a self-guided online course where certified RV tech Ed Wilcox walks you through all the steps you need to know to properly maintain your rig and fix problems when they come up. Check it out HERE!
How do I troubleshoot my RV steps?
27:5033:42RV KwiKee Power Steps: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOWYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you suspect your motor is seized or not working try the rubber mallet and just tap on it and tryMoreIf you suspect your motor is seized or not working try the rubber mallet and just tap on it and try to reset those brushes sometimes that works.
How do you change the steps on an RV?
8:2213:37Replacing my RV Steps AGAIN? Here is why! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then lift up on the handle. And then kind of push in and you'll see it kind of goes one way onceMoreAnd then lift up on the handle. And then kind of push in and you'll see it kind of goes one way once it's in drop it down and then put the pin in place to lock. It. And you're all done.
How do I stabilize my RV steps?
1:011:52Solid Stance Step Stabilizer by Lippert on Grand Design RV - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSystem was putting a block under it so that way every time you go into the trailer or step out you'MoreSystem was putting a block under it so that way every time you go into the trailer or step out you're not shaking the trailer.
Can you manually retract RV steps?
If they are electric steps there is nothing you can do manually to make them easy to use. You can take the clevis pin out of the of the arm that connects the motor to the steps. Be careful because they will swing free when the pin is removed. You can then pull them all the way out and block them in place with cribbing.
How do you install solid steps on an RV?
5:3912:33Installing the Solid Step RV Entrance Stairs by Lippert ComponentsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlong there which I've already done and then drill two screws in then we can put the stairs in andMoreAlong there which I've already done and then drill two screws in then we can put the stairs in and attach. The rest of the screws. It's gonna lift this up. Here.
How do you build wooden steps for an RV?
3:497:23Easy Portable RV Steps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd found that it was incredibly easy to make. So we had to figure out the measurements ourselvesMoreAnd found that it was incredibly easy to make. So we had to figure out the measurements ourselves and how to get this out of one sheet of plywood.
Why does my RV rock so much?
The Ground Isn't Solid It doesn't take much for an RV to rock around, and having your rig parked on anything other than flat, level asphalt or cement can leave much to be desired. A huge reason that RVs can shake and rock is due to soft or unsteady ground.
Where do you put a stabilizer jack?
Stabilizer jacks are often located at the front and rear of units. Each jack is in place when it touches the ground. Don't extend it any further, because it could get stuck or damaged in the process. You can do a second round to check that each jack is extended properly.
What do you put under a stabilizer jack?
Should You Put Blocks Under Stabilizer Jacks? Yes, you should always put blocks under your stabilizer jacks. This not only helps protect your jacks but the campsite as well. You may even come across some campgrounds or RV parks that require a barrier between your landing gear and the campsite surface.
Where is the fuse for steps on RV?
The fuse is in the battery bay below the cutoff switch. If the fuse is good the step motor is kaupt.
How do RV electric steps work?
0:051:03Automatic Electric Steps | RV How To: La Mesa RV - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo your RV may be equipped with electric steps electric steps work when you open and close the door.MoreSo your RV may be equipped with electric steps electric steps work when you open and close the door. So when I open up the door. The steps will automatically come out. So you can get in your coach.
Why does my step motor rotate in the reverse?
If a positive or negative voltage is present when the door switch is activated , then the step motor is getting power, but not working. The step motor is likely bad and needs to be replaced.
How to tell if a step motor is getting power?
If you don’t hear anything, determine if the step is getting power. First verify that the magnet in the door and door frame switch are aligned. They should line up when the door is closed. Then check if power is getting to the step motor.
How to change gear linkage?
Here are the general steps to replace the gear linkage 1 Disconnect power from the step 2 Disconnect the power plug from the motor assembly 3 Using a 10mm socket, remove the 3 screws holding the motor assembly 4 Lower it straight down being certain not to drop the gear, washers and pin on the gear assembly side of the motor 5 Remove the four nuts and lock washers on each corner of the gear assembly 6 Remove the lock wire and pin from the arm connecting the step to the gear assembly 7 Remove the gear assembly and replace it with a new one (it should already be pre-greased) 8 Reinstall the motor using the new inner gear (the small one) from the gear assembly 9 Insert the three bolts securing the motor 10 Reconnect main step power (four way connector) while staying clear of moving parts 11 Test Step operation
How does an automatic step work?
How does the automatic step work? Automatic steps are triggered by the opening and closing of your entry door (or screen door). There are two switches that control the expanding and retracting of the step. Switch #1 (step trigger) is magnetic.
What is the switch on a door that keeps the step out?
If the magnet in the door is not perfectly aligned with the switch in the door frame when the door is closed the step won’t activate. Switch #2 (override switch). This toggle switch is typically located near the door and is used to keep the step extended when parked. If the switch is on, the step should stay out.
How do RV steps work?
Automatic RV steps automatically extend when the door opens and immediately retract on their own as soon as the door closes. This is made possible thanks to the magnetic switch located at the bottom part of the frame and door. They also automatically retract when you start the ignition.
How to stop RV steps from making noise?
Doing a careful visual inspection is the first thing to do when looking for a solution if your RV steps make noise but aren’t moving. Check the underside of the steps and look for any debris that might be caught in between the linkage.
Why do motorhome switches have to be activated?
The switches have to be activated for the voltage to reach the motor and extend or retract the electric steps of your motorhome. Make sure there is no corrosion on the switch connections and that the wires are making good connections.
How to check if rocker switch is working?
Ensure that the rocker switch is working properly by using a voltmeter to check for the 12 volts DC located at the back of the switch. Check the DC voltage by measuring with a voltmeter between the contacts of the switch. The voltmeter should read 12VDC if the button is not pressed and 0VDC when the button is pressed.
What is the magnetic switch on RV steps?
On Automatic RV steps, the magnetic switch is the one that makes your steps extend when the door opens and ensures that your RV steps retract when the door closes. There is a magnetic switch found on the sides of the door and the door frame.
Why won't my steps retract?
Sometimes, the steps will not retract if the door and door frame magnet switches aren’t perfectly aligned. There is often an override switch that allows the steps to stay extended when parked. Make sure the switch is in the auto position or the steps will not function automatically from the door switch.
What to do if electric steps are not automatic?
If the electric steps on your camper are not automatic the only control for them is the rocker switch. Make sure that the rocker switch is working properly and that power is making it to and from your switch when it is pressed. See more details below.
How Does The Automatic Step Work?
Troubleshooting The Step?
- Let me start by sharing my approach to troubleshooting a step problem. Then I’ll point you to a troubleshooting guide that Lippert published for the Kwikee RV Step. I think you’ll find Lippert’s troubleshooting instructions to be pretty good. It should take you the rest of the way towards diagnosing your step problem. In my experience the most common symptoms of a broken Kwik…
Where to Find Replacement Parts?
- Here are the parts I’ve used to repair my steps. Before ordering, be sure to check your model to see if it’s compatible. You can find most these replacement parts on Amazon. If these are not the parts you need, try an Amazon search for “Kwikee RV Step Parts”.
Replacing Step Motor, Gear Linkage and Controller
- How to Replace the Gear Linkage?
Since the gear linkage is located under the step motor, you’ll also have to remove and replace the motor as part of this process. - How to Replace The Controller Board?
Replacing the controller board is pretty straight forward and mostly involves reconnecting wires. Here are the basic steps: 1. Disconnect the main connector to step and controller unit 2. Remove the bolts securing the controller board (leave wires connected) 3. Replace the controller board w…
Conclusion
- If you have an automatic step then eventually one of these components will probably wear out and need replacing. I hope I gave you enough information here to inspire you to repair it yourself. I’ve done it twice on my RV and am starting to collect spare parts. It really is a quick job if you’re able to crawl under the step.