Kwikee Step Repair
UPDATED…
Unfortunately, it looks like the Kincor kit I mention below is no longer available- Kwikee changed the motor enough that it is not possible to take it apart- the unit is not sealed.
An alternate repair method using an Auto Parts store motor is discussed in this RV.NET forum posting.
Original post below——————————–
Electric steps are one of those luxuries that are a near necessity- in a Motor Home, you often need a step to enter, and yet once you are in, you cannot push a manual step in, and when you are in the rig, pulling the step out is impossible.
The vast majority of electric steps are manufactured by the Kwikee Company. These steps are pretty darn reliable, if the maintenance is performed as required, which is easy- simply lubricate the hinge points with a good quality lubricant. Kwikee sells a very good “Kwik-Lube”, which is a kind of “penetrating grease” that starts out thin, but thickens after a few minutes. Others have recommended motorcycle chain lube- I’ve never tried it, but it sounds like it would be good- a good quality lube which does not attract dirt.
But… even with the best maintenance there are a couple of problems that can crop up. I dealt with the most common today. The step was stuck in the retracted position, so… first I check the voltage to the unit. Next, check the grounds and connections (older models have a 4 way connector which has a tendency to corrode- Kwikee changed that a few years ago- the new ones are much more reliable.
So, I remove the motor assembly from the step frame- 4 bolts and the pin which attaches the arm to the step- the 4 way connector, and the connector between the electronics and the motor. Once the motor is off, it still will not run- even hooked directly to a battery. So, I next remove the actual motor from the gear case (3 screws)- as soon as I pull the screws, the motor case rotates at least 20 degrees, indicating it was in a major bind.
This bind comes from the way the motor is designed. The motors are actually power window motors, and they have a small worm gear on the motor output shaft which engages in a large gear (#2), which in turn is coupled to an output gear(#3). This coupling is made by a triangular cutout in gear #2 which contains three small round plastic inserts that a triangular part on gear #3 fit in to.
The round plastic parts are there to absorb the shock when the step hits the end, so that the other gears don’t simply shatter. This works well- until the step gets some age on it, and these small plastic parts get oval, rather than round. This allows the motor to bind up, and because the step electronics sense current draw, and the step motor is drawing a lot of current trying to get out of the bind, the steps get stuck.
Luckily, a company named Kincor has made a gear replacement kit, which includes gear #2, the round plastic parts and a supply of high quality grease. The kit part number is BD52, and it retails for around $30 (a fraction of what a new motor assembly costs).
A quick Google for more information yielded an FMCA Magazine writeup on this kit- along with a picture and company contact information.
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August 19th, 2006 at 3:00 am
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November 2nd, 2006 at 2:24 am
Thanks for the tip. My Kwikee step stopped working yesterday. My mobile office is a 2000 Minnie Winnie. I’ll let you know how if this works out for me. Since the rig turned 5 years old, seems I am becoming quite the “RV tech” myself, whether I like it or not! I’ve replaced the air conditioner and the refrigerator and now the hot water heater and the step are out!
July 14th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
How do I get the motor off? With the step stuck in the up position, the motor is not really accessable…
July 16th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Just completed a repair on a Kwikee step motor, sure wish I had found this site beforehand it would have been of great assistance to me.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
To late for me too…
Bought a new controlbox, and gear.
works fine, but the purple wire meant to connect to porch light, does not get “hot”, no 12volts, door open or closed.
Any ideas on this?
porch light coming up as soon as door opens looks a good idea.
Wonder if I could use the wire going to understep light.
Control box should have a diode build in to prevent 12 volt going back if porch light is on from another source.
your opinion would be appriciated…
Will
July 20th, 2007 at 8:02 am
Hi Willy,
The purple wire is an input- if you feed it *from* the porch light, it will turn the under step light on when the porch light is on.
They really don’t make it very clear.
– Chris
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Hi Chris, shame on me….
Indeed it is an input…
I would have loved it the other way, it seems more logic.
Another issue: the magnet for the reed switch is to strong, I have to open the door almost all the way before the switch works.
August 5th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Kicor, the company that makes repair kits for kwikee steps, cannot be reached. Anyone know any other place that makes the replacement gear kit for the motor unit?
August 5th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Sorry Chris: That typo should be Kincor.
thanks
August 7th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
http://www.rvdealership.com
look under steps….
August 18th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
What tells the motor to stop when step get to the down position.
August 18th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Hi Joe,
The circuit board senses the current draw of the motor and shuts it off- that way if something is blocking the steps, it will still shut them off before burning out the motor.
This is also why regular lubrication is so important.
–Chris
August 19th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Thanks Chris for that information, I have looked in the gear box, everything look ok. However when I open the door the steps come down almost to the bottom then start jiggling back and forth, Same when I tell it to retract. I suspect the motor, I removed the complete system and hooked up to a fully charged battery, motor ran to stop then started jiggling as above. Any thoughts on the problem? Thanks Joe
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:58 pm
MY STEPS WILL GO DOWN BUT THEY WONT GO BACK UP.THE MOTOR IS FINE WE HAVE ALREADY CHECKED IT OUT. CAN ANYBODY GIVE ME ANY SUGGESTIONS?
August 27th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Donna yours sounds like a control box problem , i just removed the complete unit off my dads just to get to the motor and gearcase because his froze in the up position and binded up , very simple fix either way , your control box unplugs from everything and is pretty simple to rehook , good luck!
August 28th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Joe- it does really sound like the motor, but I would still go through all of the connections- especially if yours has the “old style” rubber 4 pole connector and you tested with it.
Otherwise, it does sound like the motor.
Donna- gr8jeep is right- it does sound like the control box, but I would disconnect the door switch wires and try hooking them together and unhooking them to see if it could be the door switch or wiring. The door switch actually just grounds out- they are either grounded for open, or grounded for closed, depending on the age of the unit.
–Chris
September 1st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Just found this location and hope someone can give me some ideas on my problem. My steps work as they should except on occasion they will bind in the down position. To get them working again I have to remove the cotter pin and clevis pin, run the motor then reinstall the clevis and cotter pins and all is fine for a while. This seems to happen when I set at one location for an extended period. I had thought it was due to the maladjusted cam stops but that does not seem to be the case.
November 7th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I’ve got a 93 Pace Arronw with a two step Kwikee electric step. Owners manual list as a #860. I need the “Linkage Assy. for Motor Assy. Part list shows to be part number 9554. Anyone have an idea where I can locate this part. I’m new at on-line inquiries and am hoping for help. Fred
November 7th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Hi Fred,
I buy from a distributer named DTI, who has a huge online parts catalog. If you follow this link, and put in the part number 9534 (which is the replacement for 9554), you should see your part.
Note- I do get a commission from sales through that link.
–Chris
November 30th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
I Have 1990 airex with 2 steps. The step goes down OK but comes up only 1/2 way up. Please help. Thank You
November 30th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Hi Ed,
For Kwikee steps, that pretty much has to be either a lubrication issue or an electrical connection issue. I would lube the steps well, check the ground connection, and check the 4 wire connector which should be close to the step control box- though it is often wrapped in tape.
– Chris
December 5th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Bought a 97 Winnebago with the Kwikee double step. It didn’t work at all and it looked like it had been hit and bent. I took it all apart, made new pins, etc. The motor seemed to run fine, so I reassembled and tried. The steps came down fine, but would not always go up all the way. Got stuck about half way. After reading about this problem I figured it was the gears worn. Took the motor apart and noticed there was no pin from the casing through the smaller of the two gears. Obviously it was binding as I could see the gear was at an angle. Put a 5/16″ X 1″ pin through these two and that appears to have fixed the problem as the steps now work very smoothly both ways. The only way this might have happened is the pin had to be left out at assembly. Anybody ever hear of that?
December 28th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I have a double step kwikee step-11 years old. It extends and retracts normally but when the door switch is turned off to allow step to stay in extend position while camping, it still retracts when the door closes. Removed switch and benched checked switch , it checked ok! what is the likely cause of malfunction.
January 6th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Check your local auto parts store for window regulator gear plugs if they have failed. they
They are 3 round plugs like the Kinco kit without the gear.
Kragen Auto part #74410 found on the Help isle $12 out the door.
Hope this helps
January 30th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I have a double step Kwikee 9 years old. It extends and retracts o. k., but when you
attempt to leave the step extended while camping by turning the switch off the step retracts
anyway. Sometimes it will stay out for a period of time, but most times it will just retract
on without touching it. Do you have any idea what the problem might be?
January 30th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Hi Bobby,
I would start by checking the switch itself, and the wiring from the switch to the step control box for a short.
–Chris
February 7th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Question re step 1983 single kwikee step my motor seems to be gone as think it overheated and seems dead , Ive had it apart cleaned it and hooked it to battery but doesnt want to go, can you get a motor anywhere as i wont be buying a new step
Im pretty mechanical any suggestions or should i just h-eve it.
DouTherm Furnace tips
I have a 1984 Beaver coach everything is top of line but as you know if you own an old RV you become a master repair man, Ive replaced fridge, hot water heater, fixed Duo Therm Furnace if any one has any questions on furnaces beleive me Ive had mine out 35 times until i realised you can hook up to most old BBQ tanks (same fitting) (old hose), anyway easier to figure out whats wrong once its out of the case ,if fan motor works and gas isnt comming on check rear fan sensor they bend real easy ,if bent wont turn on gas ,
if not that ,its either front heat sensor which you can change without pulling out,
If once hot stays off its front or rear sensor which you need to pull the inner sleve (the furnace) out of box ,it really only a couple screws in front and your wires, and gas line bends easy just dont kink the gas line , also If furnace is old I suggest you pull the whole Furnace apart Yes apart because both mine and the spare i have were full of mud (mud wasp) and bees nests,so could be dangerous if plugged up and running with no air ventilation (overheat fire),
Things You Need
Alot of Patients ,small socket,12 volt car battery, needle noose vice grips, Allen key to remove fan from motor, marette conectors ,propane tank and old hose as new ones have no fittings ,(pull one off a BBQ off side of road) ,
. Suggest you buy and old DouTherm about the same BTU all parts sensors will be same i bought mine 50 bucks not working (pull old one apart first so you dont learn breaking yours.)
1 Hook up to 12 car battery and touch thermostate wires together with out propane connected, Check Motor ,if it runns see if can slow it down by hand ,if its not strong it will stop carefull dont cut yourself, if not running full speed gas and spark might not come on, These motor are reliable but hard to pull apart,both mine and spare didnt work but brushes from one and everything else from other fixed it,i took emmery board to fan motorshaft after it was apart as it was rusted and created resistance. Youll will know if motors good if you grab shaft with cloth and it doesnt stall ,suggest stopping and starting motor several times to ensure working and strong .
2. gas sensor in rear fan housing (this sensor tells gas to come on but if bent the wind from furnace wont trip swich so make sure not to bent),
3 - check two heat sensors one in back by fan, one in very front
also clean furnace out this is a bit of work ,but well worth it, all the old ones are full of bees nests so clean it out,
I couldnt afford a 1000.00 for a new furnace, mine has worked like new since i simply fixed motor and replaced one sensor and cleaned it.
Sounds like alot of work but if your mechanical youll probly work harder to make 1000 bucks then youll still have to install anyway.
Also go to WalMart and for a buck each buy two drain screens (there20 bucks at RV dealer and baisically same sh… ), cover the furnace in and out pipes as most people use rvs seasonal and the wasps love thes furnaces
When you put furnace back in make sure you have no gas leeks by spraying some soapy solution on all fittings they will bubble if leaking (old furnaces have fittings on inside unlike new ones)be carefull,
Also they have the same curcuit board on both my furnaces but I havent experianced any problems at all ,they seem very reliable as older sh.. was made heavy duty
Good Luck
Dont have a melt down
email anytime hellsbells1tribute@yahoo.com
February 26th, 2008 at 11:32 am
In checking out ths step I found that only the door switch
was abnormal. I get almost 0 volts when check testing Red wire
to Brown with the door open and 12 volts with the door closed.
This is the opposite of the tests in the manual. However if
one assumes the magnetic switch is normally open when the
door is open the voltage would be 0 when open and 12 volts
when closed. Is the manual in error? Looks to me like this
could be a controller problem. What do you think?
February 27th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Hi Bobby,
Kwikee has changed the switch operation- older models used a white, “Normally Closed” switch, but they changed this to a black, “Normally Open” switch.
I would check the large 4 way connector and the ground connection carefully.
–Chris
April 9th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Hi I have a 94 Fleetwood Bounder. It has 2 step Kwikee step. They have quit working
Where do I start.
Thanks
April 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I am trying to find the Kincor web site or at least a telephone number. Anyone out there that can help me please email me at builders8@aol.com. Thanks so much
I have the Kwikee electric two step 35 series.
April 19th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Hi Tom,
It appears that the gear kit is no longer available, unfortunately. I’m changing the post to reflect this.
–Chris
April 28th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Is the 4 pole pigtail for testing the steop functions a standard part from auto store ,or a connector only available thru kwikie ?
May 14th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Had the step problem several years ago on my ‘92 dolphin, and again last week on my ‘99 tropical; Very simple fix at little or no cost: get a length of 1/2″ nylon or delrin rod; remove motor assembly from step;(refer to kwikee ownwr manual); get into gearbox & remove three round pucks(they get distorted & are the cause lock-up of step). Replace with proper length of nylon/delrin rod, cut to length and lightly trimmed to fit in place of original pucks. Reassemble motor unit, apply 12v to check operation & re-install to step. PROBLEM SOLVED!
May 19th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Sure glad I found this site. The last time my steps stuck down
I was working and didn’t have time to investigate. Fixed it this
time after reading this. I will definetly pay more attention to
lube after this. Thanks again. Tim
June 1st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
On my 03′ HR, my 3 step Kwikee steps seem to have striped gears by just hearing the motor
run with no rotation.
I took the steps off and removed the motor assembly. Is there anywhere I can fine the
inside drive gear, not the worm (its fine). Everyone wants to sell me the whole
motor assembly.
Its does to seem obvious just by reading I should have been oiling my moving hedges.
Thanks
June 19th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I have a 23 series kwikee step assembly. The gear box that the motor bolts to is broken. Does anyone know where I can get just the gearbox? I’ve looked up different websites and can only fine a new assmebly with motor. My motor works fine. Any help is greatly appreciated.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I have a 91 Fleetwood Bounder by stairs quit so on the advice of Kwikee I was told to replace my controler #9513 with the newer #9506 controler this required new door switch install I have installed all the new parts I have power to the red wire, the white wire none to the yellow (override ) wire and the brown is hooked to the door sensor With the motor hooke directly to a battery it works properly in and out but with the motor hooked to the controler I can get no movement either way ( I do have the stairs unhooked pin removed) for this testing I have installed a jumper on the door switch Still no movement. Where do i go next?
June 27th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
[...] I mention below is no longer available- kwikee changed the motor enough that it is not possible …http://rx4rv.com/archives/11Kwikee Systems?2007. MultiAd, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms &amp Conditions [...]
June 29th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I have a two step system.. It’s been acting up so I checked the door switch. The steps work sometimes, not others. I checked voltage and I’m only getting 10v to the switch (tested from the controller with ground). 12v at the understep light. Any ideas?
June 30th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Have 2 step Kwikee, leaving for Lake George tomorrow, this am steps went down and before stoping in the full down position, retracted 2 inches, and kept going back and forth, any ideas?