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Topic: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters (Read 971 times) previous topic - next topic

Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters

I just spent three days at FOT for service.  Wouldn't you know twenty miles out of Nac DW tries to close the step slide... Nothing.  Neither switch works.  They had the dash all torn apart trying to figure out why the defrosters were weak (not a good thing when you are driving in a snow storm).

Any ideas on the simplest troubleshooting process?  I will check electric first.  They might have undone something.  My searches lead me to understand that the air controller is on the inboard end of the step box, right? 

The door step works OK.  I haven't found anything else. 

Take away from this is check everything before you leave.

Thanks,
Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Step Slide Not Working

Reply #1 –
Pending an answer to your original question, inquiring minds want to know, were they able to do anything for the defrosters?
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Step Slide Not Working

Reply #2 –
Defrosters ... well they said the vacuum generator, apparently a 12 volt device buried in the dash was bad and they repaced that.  Then they said the controller computer (no longer available and unrepairable) for the vent system would not send the signal required to open the baffle door to the defrost and thus bypass everything else.  Apparently it is all defrost or some mix of other vents.  The tech had the entire dash torn apart.  Actually I was glad to see how it came apart, mostly wire ties and velcro and a few screws.  He suggested putting in a switch (it ended up being two) that both flipped one way would provide the signal to the defrost door to open.  It works.  There is now a whirring noise up front when you turn on the ignition, maybe the vacuum generator.  It was about three hours time and some overpriced switches and the vacuum generator.

Driving in a wet blowing snow through Iowa a few days earlier with pretty marginal defrost makes this worth it.  On the other hand, I hope to never be driving in the snow again but one never knows.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Step Slide Not Working

Reply #3 –
having the same year & model, I did not know to turn on the defroster with a/c to remove moisture until at FOT  the tech informed & showed the switch position, it is the next to last position before the defrost position.  This position is both defrost and a/c on to remove the moisture.
Now it works great.
Dave M

Re: Step Slide Not Working

Reply #4 –
Since you dash was torn apart, most likely a wire to the driver switch was not reconnected.

I think most do not have enough defrost air flow on a cold windshield. We always put a 120-volt table fan on the dash blowing air against the inside of the windshield, when we need more defrost.
Some have those chrome dash fans permanently mounted, but we don't have them. Our fan is a Vornado and we also use it on the floor to move air around during warm weather so we can keep windows open. You are correct both air valves for step slide and step are behind bottom step.

Re: Step Slide Not Working

Reply #5 –
Quote
Take away from this is check everything before you leave.

Great meeting you and Susan at FOT.  Nancy and I both enjoyed seeing you.  Hope you fix the problem and safe travels.

Couldn't agree more with the take away.  FOT replaced a bad electric bay cooling blower with one that works but makes a real racket.  Good news if that we haven't left the area yet.
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: Step Slide Not Working and Weak Defrosters

Reply #6 –
Larry and Nancy, likewise meeting you and Happy Birthday Nancy!

The defrost works much better.  The flap door operation is very positive with a new vacuum generator.  The switch override of the malfunctioning computer works fine.  If your defrost volume is low don't assume it is normal.  Make sure that defrost flap is opening or closing (what ever it does).

Don't leave the shop without testing everything.

Roger and Susan
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters -- Fixed

Reply #7 –
Checked electrical switches, power was there and I could hear the air switch clicking under the coach.  So I crawled under the front end.  I felt one air switch and then the other while Susan toggled the switch.  The inboard air switch controls the floor slide, the outboard one controls the door step.

I found the air supply line to both air switches was bent over and pinched off with a very new looking wire.  I cut the wire tie and the floor slide closed and opened normally.  So my guess is that we drove from Nac to San Antonio with the door step down as well.  Arrgh!

Thanks for the hints.  Watch those guys at FOT!
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters

Reply #8 –
Roger,
Sorry to hear you got such poor quality service at FOT.  I would have a discussion with the Service manager about this.  You paid top dollar to get Foretravel quality service, not back yard quality.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters -- Fixed

Reply #9 –
Maybe someone at FOT put the wire on the air line for some reason????

Can plastic air lines be collapsed with a wire without damaging the air line??

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters

Reply #10 –
Roger, I also have a 2001 FT and have a need to disassemble my dash to fix a noisy fan motor.
When I turn on the front heater the fan (sounds  like it is located in about the middle of the dash) is very loud and annoying until it warms up and quiets down some.
Would you "walk" me through what they did to remove the top of your dash for your repair?
Sooner, or later, I gotta fix that annoying fan motor and a heads up on removing the dash cover would really help.
Thanks, Jon
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters

Reply #11 –
Ya gotta laugh, I had an a/c problem, more of an electrical problem but thought it was the fan, so wound up at FOT, they brought the man who does the dash a/c & heat systems from the shop where they build the Foretravels, I just laughed while the dash just melted in his hands, he had the exact tools and knew exactly what screws needed to go, and he solved the entire fan issue in about 15 minutes, all done out the door all while I am in a state of being shocked and envious.
For the dash a/c & heat systems, make sure they get the black feller from down the hill. ;D
Feel the FOT is the place for a number of things.
Dave M

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters -- Fixed

Reply #12 –
Was the air line that had a wire twisted around it, made of plastic?

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters

Reply #13 –
Barry, the air supply line is a black plastic line, pretty stiff and tough, maybe nylon, I don't know.  When I cut the plastic wire tie it straightened out pretty much by itself.  I helped a bit making sure there were  no sharp edges or breaks in the line.  I wiped it off and checked for leaks and then made sure it was routed in a non-stressful way.  Susan cycled the floor slide several more times and I checked again for leaks.  It seemed secure and leak free.

We drove 150 miles from San Antonio to Del Rio, TX. today.  No air pressure issues that were apparent.  No rapid leak down after we stopped.

Spare air line and appropriate connectors for making a splice is going on my "don't leave home without it" list.

Jon,  I'll send you something about what I remember.  Mostly velcro, a few screw and some courage.  It is a pretty packed space in there.  We are heading into Big Bend NP for most of the next week and then on toward Santa Fe.  I am expecting a no internet, no phone black hole at Big Bend.  When I can.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters

Reply #14 –
Roger, Why do you think someone tied a wire around the nylon air line by the steps?

Could it serve a purpose?

It could be mischievous.

We are happy you found it.
 

Re: Step Slide Not Working. And Weak Defrosters

Reply #15 –
Roger, no rush. We are also out of town until Easter weekend. In the mean time I'll poke around and see if I can figure out how to get to the fan. Thanks, Jon
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809