I have searched and have not found on how to wire the step to keep it retracted during storage if I desire (not pneumatic). I would like to have a switch so if I desire I can retract the step. I have a 2003 U320 with a plain 2 shelf electric step. Thanks in advance, David.
David,
Do you have any switches for your step at all (such as one to force it to stay out)?
Our step did (and was apparently an addition), and the wiring is on Barry's site On/Off Switch diagram for Electric Steps (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/modify_outside_kwikee_step_wiring.html) If yours is an older step (not replaced within the last few years) this same switch should be able to force the step to stay in; the key is playing with the sequence of ignition, switch flip, and entry door. I'll try to find my notes - it's something like flip the switch after ignition is off but before door is open to remember last position.
Newer Kwikee steps (in case yours has been replaced) have a different control algorithm that won't let the above work (the step always goes out with the door open - this is a "new and improved safety feature" to keep someone from falling when they expect the step to be extended and it's not). In this case you can wire an additional switch in - we had to for our newer 42 series step conversion.
To figure out what connections were needed for the step, Steve used a jumper wire between connections on the door sensor to see where he could force it to stay retracted even with the ignition on.
Michelle
That is my case FOT replaced step earlier this year. No, I do not have any switch for the step. So my question now is what wire is cut and switch wired to? David
You might be able to go to the kwikee web sight and download the wiring diagram. I have one but not here in the motor home. If you can not find it pm me and I will go through my files at home and send you a wiring diagram for the kwikee step
I have been looking to do the same thing. I hate having the step out while stored because I just know I am going to hit it with the snowplow sooner or later.
My previous coach had an electric kwikee step and I could flip a switch and it would be retracted until I opened the door and it would deploy. My mod list includes rewiring this step to do the same if possible.
Dean,
If yours is an older step (not replaced within the past few years), the wiring instructions on Barry's site in the link I provided should work for you. That switch modification does a "last out" or "extend/retract with door", depending on its position.
In this case, you may need to wire 2 switches - one for the the operation above (last out/operate with door) and a second switch (not officially documented) to force the step to stay in.
You'll need to take the panel that houses the porch light/step cover/etc. switch below the dash off to access the wiring. From there you can experiment with the wiring to the door sensor to see what make/break creates the behavior you want to figure out where the switch goes or if you're not in a hurry, I'll put it on our list to photograph our wiring at some point in the next week or so (I still owe Red Tractor a photo of our fridge fan shield (oops!)). I'll also look in our files to see if Steve might have already photographed this - it's been 2 years since he did the mod...
A "quick n'dirty" option is a jumper wire with alligator clips on both ends - with this you can jumper between the exposed door sensor connections (without removing the panel) to force the step to stay in or out as desired - again experimenting with what positions create the desired behavior. You can also try a magnet applied on the door sensor to fool the step into thinking the door is closed or open as needed. It's harder to get the magnet to stay where you want it to, though.
Thanks Michelle, very helpful.......... ^.^d
Thank you Michelle. I will go out and start the testing and will keep all posted. David