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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: FourTravelers on July 13, 2015, 08:58:20 pm

Title: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: FourTravelers on July 13, 2015, 08:58:20 pm
just bought our 95 U280 and the step stuck in the down position before we left the lot with it.......  :(
any advice? micro switch or sol. valve?
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: John S on July 14, 2015, 06:29:05 am
On my coach there is two things you have to look for. One is the door closed circuit and the other is the air to close the step.  I would check the door close first as sometimes the wires break or come disconnected. 
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on July 14, 2015, 09:04:54 am
Behind the step and really hard to reach is the regulator for the step air cylinder.  You can adjust the regulator to get the step to close so you can travel.  Then later you can troubleshoot it.
Gary B
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: jor on July 14, 2015, 09:45:58 am
Quote
One is the door closed circuit

Here's a photo of that little magnetic switch. When the two parts come into close proximity the circuit is closed and the step closes. If this is the problem, you could always bypass the switch by joining the two wires temporarily.
jor
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: FourTravelers on July 14, 2015, 05:49:35 pm
Here's a photo of that little magnetic switch. When the two parts come into close proximity the circuit is closed and the step closes. If this is the problem, you could always bypass the switch by joining the two wires temporarily.
jor
thanks, I tried jumping out the microswitch and nothing happened, removed the wire from one side and made it to the other.
It worked fine all day, (then we signed the paperwork) went to leave and it stuck down. Couldn't find the valve or regulator so we headed home with it down and tried to be very watchful of it.
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: FourTravelers on July 14, 2015, 05:51:50 pm
Behind the step and really hard to reach is the regulator for the step air cylinder.  You can adjust the regulator to get the step to close so you can travel.  Then later you can troubleshoot it.
Gary N
thanks Gary, I'll try that tomorrow. Can it be reached without crawling under the coach? I have no way to block the airbags......yet.
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: turbojack on July 14, 2015, 06:09:11 pm
On mine, I have to jack it up to get my fat ** under there.  They are located on the back side of the step box
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: prfleming on July 14, 2015, 10:49:32 pm
If it was working just prior to leaving, I'm guessing an intermittent electrical connection. On mine we bought it and drove in home knowing the steps were fouled up, they would go down when the door was closed, and go up when the door was open, but only if the engine was running. We accidentally scraped at a toll booth on the drive home , but didn't cause any serious damage. I spent a half a day trouble-shooting and found out that the PO had someone replace the control solenoid and mis-wired it.

If you can try powering the control solenoid independently and verify it works, and the steps go up and down (with good air pressure).
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: FourTravelers on July 15, 2015, 12:34:00 am
Where is the solenoid located? I have been informed that there is a regulator behind the step that can be adjusted down to allow the step to be raised manually to get it home.
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: turbojack on July 15, 2015, 08:32:46 am
Where is the solenoid located? I have been informed that there is a regulator behind the step that can be adjusted down to allow the step to be raised manually to get it home.

The solenoid is right next to the regulator behind the step box. There are two of each. One for the step/door and the other is for the slide that covers the steps.
Title: Re: pneumatic entry step stuck
Post by: FourTravelers on July 17, 2015, 07:44:49 pm
thanks for the info, I turned the reg all the way down and raised the step by hand. This weekend I will remove the Joey bed to better access the solenoid. Maybe a little marvel mystery oil in the airline to the valve will do the trick.