Hello Guest!

Step Will Not Open

  • 13 Replies
  • 6139 Views
*

custerhank

  • *****
  • 134
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: March/2020
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Brown
  • ExtColor: Brown Full Body Paint
  • Location: Custer, SD
Step Will Not Open
« on: February 13, 2020, 04:24:16 pm »
The step on our (new to us) 2017 2910D will not extend. I found a great troubleshooting guide on the Forum dated 2012 which I will use as soon as the outside temp gets above 20 degrees!  When I called the factory yesterday to ask about this they said to check the inline fuse. My quick look underneath yesterday did not find a fuse and it is not mentioned in the 2012 guide. But there is a slew of electrical tape on the wires underneath the step which might obscure the fuse holder. Since this fuse would be the 1st thing to check, can anyone verify there is one and about where it should be under there?

Thanks

Hank
2017 2910D
Hank & Joyce Whitney
Custer, SD
2019 PC Model 3100

*

keelhauler

  • ******
  • 553
    • View Profile
    • Our RV Page
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 05/2012
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sunlit Maple
  • ExtColor: Sunlit - no paint
  • Location: Westlake, OH
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2020, 04:35:44 pm »
Your ignition must be off. The little switch to left of steering wheel must be off.

Does the awning work?

Next thing is the door switch. Spin it around, it may seem rough at first but should get soother as corrosion inside wipes away.

All the step joints need to be lubricated every few months.

Push switch in, and the step should retract let it out and step should attempt to deploy and a light under the step should turn on.

If light does not turn on the fuse may be blown. It is underneath the floor mat by drivers left foot.

Report your progress.



John

*

serrano4657

  • ***
  • 40
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: May, 2019
  • Model: 2551
  • ModelYear: 2006 2551
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Blue, Maple Cabinets
  • ExtColor: Blue/White
  • Location: Southern California
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2020, 02:54:11 pm »
I had to fix my steps on my 2006 2251 last year.

If I remember the fuse is not under the step but in the fuse panel. I know I checked the fuse and it was fine.
It could be the wire harness connected to the steps that have a circuit board in them. My circuitboard went bad.
You can find them online for around $100.  I thought the fuse was connected to other things in the rv, but it was 6 months ago when I fix mine.
If all your fuses are good, it's likely the circuit board to the steps. Also check the connection inside the door frame on the bottom. Looks like a bolt.
When you open and close the door, that part must have current to work. Good luck

*

Doneworking

  • ******
  • 450
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: September 2013
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • Location: Oklahoma City
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2020, 06:59:36 pm »
I have had this problem on our 2013 twice.   In both instances it was the door switch.  Keelhauler above mentioned it.   The switch gets corrosion on the contacts and simply rotating it several times by just using your fingers seems to be the quickest and easiest thing to check first. 

I took mine out and lubricated the plunge mechanism with silicon spray .   As I recall, it is only a couple of screws in the door frame that holds the plunger switch in place.   The switch is located near the bottom of the right side of the door frame.   

Every spring I lubricate the step mechanism with a good light weight white lithium grease in a spray can.

*

custerhank

  • *****
  • 134
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: March/2020
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Brown
  • ExtColor: Brown Full Body Paint
  • Location: Custer, SD
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2020, 02:12:17 pm »
  Thanks for helpful replies. Will try all now. Weather has moderated enough to go outside (as in, no 40 MPH winds and snow..). Ironically I also cannot move the driver seat even though I have good 12V. The slides are working.  And..of all things...the engine will not start. Whole unit has been plugged into shore power the whole time. Checking battery too ASAP. When it rains it pours.  More later.

Thanks,

Hank
2017 2910D
Hank & Joyce Whitney
Custer, SD
2019 PC Model 3100

*

CalCruiser

  • ******
  • 658
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: November 2015
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2003
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Hickory/ Beige
  • ExtColor: Custom Ford colors- dark shadow grey & blue jeans metallic
  • Location: SoCal
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2020, 03:52:57 pm »
Yep, sounds like the converter charges  the house batteries only. No power step, no power seats, no start = dead truck battery.
Goin' where the wind goes...

*

Engineerlt

Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2020, 04:01:43 pm »
My start battery is was only charged when the engine was running, I added a Trik-L-Start battery charger/maintainer to keep the starting battery charged when it is sitting. Great little gizmo I see Amazon is selling it for $72.80 but you can get them from the manufacturer cheaper I believe. Install time is 15-20 minutes if you drop a toll while doing it and have to climb under the coach and look for it....

My start battery is always ready to go now.. 

*

keelhauler

  • ******
  • 553
    • View Profile
    • Our RV Page
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 05/2012
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sunlit Maple
  • ExtColor: Sunlit - no paint
  • Location: Westlake, OH
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2020, 04:48:16 pm »
Sounds like entire problem is a dead truck battery. The step works off truck battery,

Put a charger on but first pull cables and clean up the terminals.



John

*

custerhank

  • *****
  • 134
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: March/2020
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Brown
  • ExtColor: Brown Full Body Paint
  • Location: Custer, SD
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2020, 05:45:29 pm »
Problem Solved - as several of you said, the chassis battery was dead..and would not revive. $108 later at my local NAPA Parts store and everything is up and running. Even my drivers electric seat would not work. Do not recall having this kind of problem in our 4 previous MH's. Factory Service said trickle charge button dash might work, but did not. We are plugged into 30 Amp shore power fulltime and Battery Connect is On. Leaving in a month for 2 month trip..any other idiosyncrasies I should worry about in my cold weather climate?

P.S. Windshield Cover: We have one of those white vinyl windshield covers from previous owner (the vinyl rolls back to expose the screen). I would like to get just a screen that lets you look out but people cannot see in (at least not much). Had one on our previous MH, but that was custom made on site.  Any company that makes a screen type that fits our  chassis?

Thanks,

Hank'Custer, SD
Hank & Joyce Whitney
Custer, SD
2019 PC Model 3100

*

donc13

  • *******
  • 1340
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 03/2015
  • Model: 2551
  • ModelYear: 2015
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
  • ExtColor: White/Nightscape
  • Location: Colorado
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2020, 07:19:19 pm »
Phoenix sells Magnashades.  Not cheap but well worth the price. 
---
Don and Patti

*

2 Frazzled

  • *******
  • 1430
    • View Profile
    • Spirit of the Woods
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May 2013
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sunlit & Cherry
  • ExtColor: Sunlit
  • Location: On the road full time (prev. Maryland)
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2020, 07:55:38 am »
Regarding truck/chassis battery drain: We determined ours was being drained by the step while stored. We noticed the step went in and out sometimes while driving. We played with the step switch and it would be good for a while then do it again. Then our battery started dying when rig was stored. We think the step was activating and running in and out until the battery died. Since it was at a storage lot we didn't notice. Our solution was to always keep the step switch in the "out" position. It automatically pulls in when you turn on the ignition and goes out when you turn the truck off. This means our step goes out at gas stations and other stops but we're good with that.

We don't have a direct from coach to chassis charger except the white button on the dash that you have to hold. We did start carrying a small plug in battery charger when we had trouble with the12 volt charging system. Once we get solar panels on the roof we can ditch that and maybe hook a trickle charger up to keep the chassis battery happy.
John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
Travel Blog: Spiritofthewoods.net

*

Ron Dittmer

  • *******
  • 5597
  • Ron and Irene
    • View Profile
    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2020, 08:02:02 am »
I always disconnect the chassis battery during storage.  I used to do the same for the house batteries, but don't anymore since changing from two-12V wet acid batteries, to two 6V AGM batteries.  They hold their charge so much better.
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

*

keelhauler

  • ******
  • 553
    • View Profile
    • Our RV Page
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 05/2012
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sunlit Maple
  • ExtColor: Sunlit - no paint
  • Location: Westlake, OH
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2020, 09:09:12 am »
Quote
We don't have a direct from coach to chassis charger except the white button on the dash that you have to hold.
2frazzled

I've pointed out in the past that there is no reason not to change out this switch with a on-off switch rather than a momentary switch.

Some people say it pulls in a relay which stays on until it is pushed again. No one has ever confirmed this. But I can confirm that the switch is available at any autoparts store, It pops out of opening and has slide off terminals so can be replaced for less than $10 in 5 minutes.

So I monitor my Ford battery when I'm camped and when the voltage drops to below 12.4 v, I flip the switch and in an hour it's back to full voltage. My Ford battery is 8 years old because I never let i go dead. When the RV is in storage I have solar arrays that keeps all my batteries at 100% charge by leaving that the switch on continually.

I wish PC would quit using that cheap door switch for the step. On my first PC I replaced it, on my present PC I just rotate the barrel every few weeks.



John

*

WillLloyd

  • *****
  • 216
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: Feb/2017
  • Model: 2910
  • ModelYear: 2016
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Pebble
  • ExtColor: Grey
  • Location: Virginia
Re: Step Will Not Open
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2020, 01:30:28 pm »
And if you ever have to work on your step, keep your fingers well clear of it. It is strong enough to cause severe damage.