Kwikee Step - No Power

[roscott]

Hello all. I was wondering if someone might be able to tell me where the switch, in the 'red box', in the attached image is located? I currently do not have 12v to the steps and before I start doing things I might regret, I wanted to make sure this particular switch is in the proper state and the inline fuse is good as well. I did not find a step fuse inside the coach in the electric panel, so assume it is under the coach somewhere or in the engine bay. Any guidance is appreciated. ....and as I type this, I realize I did not check the fuse box for the cab to see if one might be under the dash....

[chin_k]

I would only go look for the "white box" after I got no power before the 20A fuse. Do you know where the 20A fuse is? If there is not power there, then the white box is between the 20A fuse and the battery. You maybe able to use a wire tracer (a device that send out a tone on a wire) to follow the wiring.

[roscott]

Thanks chin_k, I do have a tone tracer (just bought it to trace the cat5 cable in my house).

[chin_k]

Great to have it for trouble shooting. You can safe a lot of time if you find the 20A fuse, and go backward to the battery, assume that you already know where it is. I do not have the electric step on my rig.

[roscott]

Haven't had a chance to look for the fuse yet, but after looking at the schematic a bit more, it appears the power switch and the other 2 fuses are tied into the same power line. I am getting 12v to the power switch, so may not be the 20A fuse or the disconnect. I'll certainly update the post if/when I find the problem. Kwikee makes a 'dongle' to attach to the 4-way connector for troubleshooting purposes. It's only about $20 so I'm going to order it and follow the troubleshooting instructions in the manual....according to kwikee, this can save a lot of time and pinpoint the issue...we'll see.

[chin_k]

I think the dongle probably just check for voltage on each of the four pins, and nothing more. Probably can get the same troubleshooting info with a voltmeter. If you do end up getting it, it will be interesting to know if it can do anything more. Do they have a link to the troubleshooting instruction with the dongle?

[chin_k]

When you said you have no 12v to the steps, I assume you tested the 4 pins connector and see no voltage at the 12 AWG red wire. If you have 12v at the power switch, you should have 12v at the 16 AWG white wire at the connector when the switch is on, and no voltage when the switch is off. You should always get 12 v at the yellow wire from the fuse block, and the last thing to test on the connector is the 16 AWG brown wire that should be ground when the door is triggered.

[chin_k]

OK, so the part number is the 4-way Pigtail Connector (Power Gear® part number 909306000 / LCI® 369243) according to this document:
https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.co ... 001636.pdf

It is basically a way for you to tap into the wires. Here is a cut and paste of the instruction there.

Rev: 07.16.18Page 3CCD-0001636
Step Test
Keep fingers, arms, and legs clear of the step mechanism while performing these tests.
Do not allow the battery terminals to come in contact with the step.
Refer to Figure 1 for circuit connection and component identification while doing this test.

• 1. With the power and ground connections complete, all functions of the control unit can be checked using the four wires of the pigtail.
  • A. The red wire is for the power supply.
    B. The brown wire is the door switch.
    C. The white wire is the power switch.
    D. The yellow wire is the ignition override.
  2. To extend the step:
  • A. Touch the white wire to the positive terminal.
    B. The step should extend and remain extended.
  3. To retract the step:
  • A. Hold the white wire to the positive terminal.
    B. Touch the brown wire to the negative terminal.
  4. To test the Ignition Override feature:
  • A. Extend the step as in step 2.
    B. Disconnect the white wire from the battery.
    C. Attach the brown wire to the negative terminal.
    D. Touch the yellow wire to the positive terminal. The step should retract.
    E. Remove the brown wire. The step should extend.
  5. To test the 'last-out' feature:
  • A. Touch the brown wire to the negative terminal. The step should retract.
    B. Hold the brown wire to the negative terminal.
    C. Remove the yellow wire from the positive terminal. The step will stay retracted.
    D. Remove the brown wire. The step should extend.
  6. If any of the step functions do not work, the source of the malfunction is either in the control unit and/or the motor. Reference Testing the Motor section in Kwikee® IMGL Step Control Testing Procedure #82-ST0500. To obtain this information online, go to: https://www.lci1.com/support-kwikee-steps. Then click on the Manuals tab. Look for Kwikee® IMGL Step Control Testing Procedure #82-ST0500 in the listing.
  
  7. If all of the step functions do work, the malfunction is either in the door switch, step lockout switch, or the vehicle wiring. Reference Testing the Four-Way Connector section in Kwikee® IMGL Step Control Testing Procedure #82-ST0500. To obtain this information online, go to: https://www.lci1.com/support-kwikee-steps. Then click on the Manuals tab. Look for Kwikee® IMGL Step Control Testing Procedure #82-ST0500. in the listing.

[roscott]

Thanks Chin_K. This is the same information that is in the Kwikee Step User Manual...which also has the p/n for the pigtail. Have not been able to troubleshoot it lately as some personal matters have kept me busy and away. Not sure when I'll be able to get to it, but will update the thread when I can.

[roscott]

Well it's been a year from issue to resolution. Mainly due to procrastination on my part...but I did finally have a mobile tech come out to diagnose the problem...a faulty control board. He had to order the board....which he said would take some time to get due to back orders. Over the next few months I would call and get the predictable, "I'll check into it and get back to you". Since I really only use the rig twice a year, it was not a priority. After the third or 4th call I finally decided to just order the control board myself and install it. Found it with a quick search, ordered it and received it in a matter of a few days...I wonder what happened to all the backorder issues. Step works perfectly again...