Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: joeszeidel on August 12, 2015, 02:58:19 pm

Title: Front step will not come down
Post by: joeszeidel on August 12, 2015, 02:58:19 pm
Recently I shut my engine off and normally the front entry step would drop down until I would restart. well its stuck in the up position. This makes for a big first step. Any tips on an easy fix would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: morninghill on August 12, 2015, 03:36:06 pm
Apply a magnet to the switch at the screen door. Mine loses it's mind sometimes.
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: Pamela & Mike on August 12, 2015, 05:56:58 pm
After you check the door magnet and related wiring (as has been suggested) you need to check your shuttle valve/ Norgen valve that transfers an electrical signal to an air movement. It has a coil on top of it with wires  coming out. Make sure that the wire connector hasn't became unplugged. Take a Volt meter and check the connector to see if you are getting a signal when the door opens and closes or when you turn your key from off to the run position. Check the resistance on the coil to see if it is burned up.  If all this checks good then you may have to remove the valve and take it apart and clean the crud out of the little piston.  Now you are looking for a little square box mounted to the back of the step housing. Not only does it have wires coming out of it, it has several air lines connected to it.

Here is what you are looking for, one is the old version and the other is the new version they do the same thing. One operates the step cover and the other operates the outside step. As a side note the black ones are a lot simpler to work on that the aluminum colored ones.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: joeszeidel on August 12, 2015, 07:01:51 pm
Thank you I'll crawl under and check things out. The pictures are very helpful.
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: FourTravelers on August 12, 2015, 08:22:34 pm
With the ignition switch on and the door closed, (magnet close to micro switch) power (12V) should be applied to the solenoid valve.
energized coil = up
De-energized = down
With the ignition off there should be no voltage to the door switch.
sounds like the solenoid valve is stuck, you can turn the air off the valve by turning the regulator to 0 pressure, step should come down with very little help.
Dont ask how I know.......... 
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: turbojack on August 13, 2015, 07:47:18 am
Thank you I'll crawl under and check things out. The pictures are very helpful.

Make sure you block your air bags before you get under the coach.  Better to be safe then dead.
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: kb0zke on August 13, 2015, 07:37:59 pm
Ours is probably different, but sometimes our step sticks up, too. Usually a nudge with a toe or heel will get it to flop open.
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: Hans&Marjet on August 13, 2015, 07:54:55 pm
During winter or rainy days I usually turn down the pressure on the AUX compressor and lift the step manually so it does not flood out with water or ice (in sc) ??

Hans

Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: John Haygarth on August 13, 2015, 08:21:02 pm
H & M, instead of doing all that work to get step into up position for rain and security why not go to the Beamalarm site and look under "Modifications" and you will see an article that explains how to simple wire the step switch so it goes up whenever you want it to. Good for nighttime so no one can stand on it and look in.
Very easy change.
JohnH
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: Hans&Marjet on August 13, 2015, 08:35:44 pm
Thx John, I'll take a look at Barry's site and see how todo. !  :)

Hans
Title: Re: Front step will not come down
Post by: joeszeidel on August 15, 2015, 12:00:29 pm
Thanks to all for your responses. Started coach today and step is working perfect. John I may wire in that switch. I like the idea of controlling the switch, especially at night.