Why are the gears on my electric steps not working?
It could be that the gears are stripped on the motor (they’re plastic), so it only extends to where the bad spot is on the gears. If you can hear the motor spinning when the steps are stopped, that’s likely the problem. You could still have a bad controller, but in my experience, that’s the least likely possibility.
Why are my electric steps making weird noises?
Unfortunately, the gears in the motor are plastic and it doesn’t take much extra weight to strip them. Once that happens, the motor will make all kinds of weird noises and the steps may only go out part of the way or may move in an out in confusion. At that point, it’s time for a new motor.
What to do if your steps have a bad motor?
If you get a motor with the wrong number of teeth, don’t panic. You can usually move the correct gears from the old motor to the new one. The control unit for the steps is a solid-state unit that has no moving parts and very seldom fails. Almost all erratic step behavior is caused by a bad motor.
Why do electric steps know to open or close?
The steps know to open or close because a magnet on the door opens or closes the reed switch on the door frame. If the magnet has fallen off or moved significantly, that’s your problem. If that’s not it, you may need a new reed switch, a stronger magnet, or a new controller, though these are not a common problems.
It could be that the gears are stripped on the motor (they’re plastic), so it only extends to where the bad spot is on the gears. If you can hear the motor spinning when the steps are stopped, that’s likely the problem. You could still have a bad controller, but in my experience, that’s the least likely possibility.
How can you tell if your step motor is working?
First verify that the magnet in the door and door frame switch are aligned. They should line up when the door is closed. Then check if power is getting to the step motor. Disconnect the power cable from the motor. Then use a multi-meter to check for a DC voltage reading of around 12 volts when the door switch is activated.
Unfortunately, the gears in the motor are plastic and it doesn’t take much extra weight to strip them. Once that happens, the motor will make all kinds of weird noises and the steps may only go out part of the way or may move in an out in confusion. At that point, it’s time for a new motor.
What to do if your steps won’t come out?
Some have 2, one for the power and one for switches on the door. If the one on the door is not working, the steps will not operate. Good luck. There is a troubleshooting pdf document you can download HERE that may be of help to you.
What should I do if my electric steps stop moving?
Before messing with the motor or the controller, the first thing to check is the steps themselves. The motor stops when there’s too much strain on it (that’s how it knows to stop at full in or out). Try lubricating the steps well (see above) at all the moving joints and see if they move in and out if you help them — if so, they may be binding
What happens if your RV step is not working?
CAUTION: Never work under an RV automatic electric step. Serious injury can occur if the steps extend or retract unintentionally. Always remove power from the steps of your motorhome or travel trailer before working on them. The most common issues electric RV steps face are not retracting and not extending properly.
How to troubleshoot no power and circuit breaker not tripped?
Verify the voltage is correct. No power at the connection terminal while the circuit breaker is in the On position indicates a defective circuit breaker. Remove the receptacle cover from the outlet without power. Check for voltage at the wire connection terminals on the side of the receptacle.
Why are my steps not working in my motor home?
If so your step will not operate. You might also have a bad magnetic switch in your door, if so again your step won’t operate. Let us know what you find. Most steps run off the engine battery so you can turn off the house and still get in and out of the motor home. You might want to check fuses for the steps.
How to keep electric steps from coming out?
You do need to keep the hinges lubed and clean…I do it every month and use a dry spray lube. Anytime you work on the step, STAY AWAY FROM IT’S PATH OF TRAVEL…It will hurt you badly! …You do need to keep the hinges lubed and clean…I do it every month and use a dry spray lube…
What happens when an outlet doesn’t work and Breaker is not tripped?
When an electrical outlet or a circuit doesn’t work, but the breaker is not tripped, the problem is likely with a neutral connection. I have had many questions regarding this very situation over the years, and here are some examples of questions received recently. I have a plug that went out.
What happens if I leave the electric step out?
If the step is left out it will also go in when the key is turned in the ignition. I believe it also works on a remote control on my key ring but I don’t remember using it. It’s two years since I used the van because of health. But it had stoped working before I stopped using it.
What to do if your steps are not working?
Do not forget to check for faulty parts or bad connections to the door switch sensor and the on/off switch to the steps. If you still cannot determine what the problem is then contact the step manufacturer and/or Jayco for help. If that fails to bring results, then you will have to take the RV to a competent RV repair facility. Hope that helps.
The steps know to open or close because a magnet on the door opens or closes the reed switch on the door frame. If the magnet has fallen off or moved significantly, that’s your problem. If that’s not it, you may need a new reed switch, a stronger magnet, or a new controller, though these are not a common problems.
What to do if your step motor is not working?
Start by making sure you have power to the step motor. Then trace the wiring all the way to the battery. You are looking for loose or broken wires, poor continuity, bad grounds, or blown fuses. Do not forget to check for faulty parts or bad connections to the door switch sensor and the on/off switch to the steps.
