steps not retracting

[Jim Skatzka]

we have a 06 patriot thunder that the steps quit working!  never had a problem in the past. parked the coach this past sunday and flipped the switch today to close the steps as we were leaving for a week and nothing!  didn't have much time to in investigate.  checked the fuses kinda quick and didn't see anything. we won't be back to the coach for about a week but thought I would try to get a head start on some trouble shooting. any thoughts would be appreciated and a happy fourth to all!

jim

[Jerry Carr]

Hi Jim we also have an 06 Thunder, so far we have not had a problem since you have already checked the fuse I would suggest that you check the switch first for power  and connections, then I would do the same at the step be sure all the connectors are tight and check that you have power at the step. I think its wise to work the EZ stuff first.

[Richard And Babs Ames]

Check the ground and connections first.

[Jim Skatzka]

thanks guys!  I will be on it when we get back to the coach in about a week and keep you informed.  jerry, after looking at the manual  I got a little confused.  it said in the manual that the fuse was in the front run bay. but the previous owner had crossed out the front and wrote in rear and its a 20 amp fuse.  any ideas?   thanks again!     jim

[Jerry Carr]

I am not sure of the fuse location but would have guess the front bay or an in line fuse. If you would like me to take a look at mine I can run down to the rig over the weekend. The other option is call Ken or Sean at Beaver coach Sales. I am sure they will be able to tell you about the fuse location.
Jerry

[Gerald Farris]

Jim,
The step motor on that model is undersized and if you get the step runners bent a little or have any foreign material in the runners, they are not strong enough to move the steps. You can push on the steps to assist the motor, and if that makes it work, check for bent linkage or dirty runners especially from corrosion if you have driven on salted roads.

If that does not get the steps working, check for power and ground at the at the motor. If you have power and ground at the motor, disconnect the motor from its linkage and see if the motor works and how the steps move in and out with the motor disconnected. If you have power and ground at the motor and the steps move in and out easily, replace the motor. The motor will probably be available at your local auto parts store, because it is either a wiper motor or automotive window motor.

Gerald  

[Jim Skatzka]

jerry,  thanks for the offer but I will wait till I can get back to the coach, then if I can't figure it out I will bother you again!  jim

Gerald, thanks for your thoughts but I don't believe it to be that type of problem as i'm just a little to anal about maintaining things like that. lol.  everything is clean and lubed and was working smoothly  until I parked it for a few days. when I parked it on our lot the step popped out without any hesitation. it sat for three days and its dead.  I will check all connections when we get back to the coach next week.   jim

[Larry Fisk]

We had this same problem with ours. It ended being the sensor on the door frame was not making good contact with the magnet in the side of the door to indicate a closed door. This is what activated the step motor, if it did not get this signal it would not retract.

[Joel Ashley]

Larry's right.  Although it hasn't been an issue on our Beaver, it was on our old Pace Arrow once.  Make sure the door magnetic contacts haven't obviously gone askew from one another and no longer align (unlikely), then see if you can see and check the one (jam side) with wire connections in back and that they're secure.  You might test operation by trying to trigger the switch with a handheld magnet, rotating it to get the polarity right.

Our entry doors are subject to more "abuse" than many other coach parts, with often unintentional slamming (grandkids, wind gusts), etc.  Windows loose their seal, latches go awry, top lock arms get bent and worn, air seal bladders get damaged when someone foolishly opens or closes the door with the coach in gear (the 3 bladders are inflated then and subject to tearing/puncture, then afterwards won't seal against wind noise), and switch contacts get knocked for a loop.

Resist the temptation to drive with the step unrepaired and extended;  been there, done that with the Pace Arrow.  It wasn't pretty when I barely snagged a large rock while micro-maneuvering.  You wouldn't want to have to try and straighten bent steps and even more bent linkage arms like I did, especially if they're now as clean and lubed as you indicate they are.

Joel

[Jim Skatzka]

thanks again for the tips!  can't wait to get back to the coach to get it  fixed. will report in on my progress. hope to get over there by Tuesday.   jim

[Robert Mathis]

Jim, my setps quit working last year. I started by checking to see if I had a good ground, then checked for 12 volts at the brain. Tested for continuity when door closed and opened, and after all that checked out, finally decided that the control box itself was bad. The best way to check that is to disconnect the control box from the motor and connect the motor directly to the hot and ground from the battery. If the steps move, the control box is bad, if not, the motor itself is shot. I understand that the motor is actually a motor used to raise and lower car windows.

[Larry Fisk]

I wish I would have checked for continuity before I bought a new control board. I checked the motor and it worked fine so I assumed it was the control board and replaced it with a new one. When the step still did not function I began scratching my head, then I checked the door sensor/magnet continuity. As soon as the magnet got close to the sensor the step retracted!! So excited it was a simple fix but also so bummed I bought and installed a new control board for nothing. Live and learn...

[Jim Skatzka]

well we got over to the coach this afternoon, unlocked the door, dw walked in I decided to hit the switch for kicks and you guessed it the step retracted as per normal. tried it several times and all is well. I guess we'll call it a glitch with no answers. happy it works but now don't have any idea when it will happen again!  thanks to all for the ideas.     jim

[Jerry Carr]

Jim, it's always good news when things can fix themselves

[Edward Buker]

Jim,

Sometimes the magnetic switches (reed relays) can be marginal in action depending on the magnet proximity, also the field of the magnet can be weaker in proximity to the sensor as things around the magnet get magnetized. You might change the sensor out or have one on hand just in case. This is the cheapest item to change to rule it out when and if it happens again.

Later Ed