Automatic Entry Step

Ours keeps going in and out when traveling.  Stays put when parked.  Any ideas before i tear into it?

Thanks in advance,  WIll

That happens fairly often.  Especially in wet weather.  My "fix" is to push the actuator button an also turn it to "clean" it.    Also make sure the bolt on the door that pushes on the button (actuator) isn't misadjusted. 

Thanks.  I did a search (yes, should have done that first) and read about the switch issues.  Seems I've done this before....  Will check tomorrow.

We had that problem and found that locking it in the"out" position stopped it. It automatically rolls in when you turn on the truck and will go back out next time you open the door. We also stored it with the step out since it seemed to get bored and plaed all by itself and ran down the battery. Phoenix adjusted it a while back (maybe a new switch?) and it behaves now but the locked out trick worked.

We were pulling in to a restaurant when a gentleman knocked on our window and told us that we had the same issue. After lunch I opened the coach door and saw the switch mounted on the door jam and the adjustment on the door itself. Loosened the lock nut on the door, extended the bolt itself then tightened the nut. Just a turn or two. All seems to be fine now.

The problem 99% of the time is not adjustment.
It is switch corrosion. About once a month I need to just grasp the switch and spin it around. Feels rough at first and then smooths out.

I took one of these switches apart and it is just a hollow barrel and a little slider that slides inside. Corrosion makes it irattic, keep it clean and it will never open on its own.

Thanks all. Going to look at it tonight.

We had the same problem on our 2014. 2100 (no slide) after only a year or so. The problem is corrosion inside the switch,  Turning the plunger makes you feel better but has no effect,  Adjusting the plunger moves the contact surface to a cleaner area but is only a temporary solution.  Eventually the corrosion will move to the 'clean' area of the contacts.

I got a new switch from Kermit and installed it and covered the exposed switch and wires with a healthy dose of spray 'flex-seal'.  No problem since then -   4 years plus,  Took the old switch apart and cleaned the contacts and carry it as a spare. -  although it would be messy to replace it through all of the 'flex-seal.

I too took the switch apart.  I cleaned the contacts and covered everything in dielectric grease.  Reassembled and it works good.  It's a cheap switch and will only tolerate so many disassemblies.  It will require occasional replacement.  I agree with above statement, twisting it does nothing, in fact it may do more harm than good by twisting the contacts inside.

They make industrial plunger type switches and I'll bet one would fit.  These switches would outlast the RV.  If I get board, or this is a constant PITA I will look into it.

On one of my maintenance trips to Phoenix they installed a simple on/off switch near the steering wheel that is connected somehow to the battery connection for the entry step.  With the engine on and the door step in, flick the switch to off and the door step will not deploy (even when opening the house door).  Flick the switch back on while the engine is on and the step will deploy as normal.  This solved that nasty problem of having the step flip off passing motorists or, worse, deploying while trying to park close to a curb.

This can be done by bypassing the plunger switch and just using the rocker switch at the door. This is on the option list too.

Captain Al

Adjusting the plunger moves the contact surface to a cleaner area but is only a temporary solution.  Eventually the corrosion will move to the 'clean' area of the contacts.

Not true, When you rotate the barrel the switch does not turn, just the barrel. And the contactor slides and cleans the corrosion on inside of the switch.

On my 2006PC, I put in a new commercial grade sealed push button and it worked great for years with no problem. But on my 2012PC, this was easier, I just keep turning the switch barrel and it cleans it up for about 3 months.

I also had the same problem.  The step was going in and out while traveling.  I had some of those small, round felt pads.  You peel off paper and stick them on the bottom of chair legs or other furniture to prevent scratching the floor.  I stuck one of the pads on the plunger and the problem was fixed. More red neck engineering.  I'll have it adjusted during my factory visit. 

Cheers 

Barry T

I stuck one of the pads on the plunger and the problem was fixed. More red neck engineering.  I'll have it adjusted during my factory visit. 

All you did is move the internal slider to a cleaner area for a better connection. It does not need this or an adjustment.

The problem is internal corrosion on the barrel switch. It cleans up when you rotate the switch barrel until it feels smoother. This is not twisting any wires. The slider is just moving to a less corrosive position and it is removing some corrosion when rotated.

There must be different types of switches. I had mine completely disassembled,  rotating it does nothing. My style needs fully disassembled and cleaned out, or replaced.