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Topic: Step will not close (Read 553 times) previous topic - next topic

Step will not close

Something new to us happened yesterday- preparing to leave, doing checks, the flip down step would not flip up.  My buddy Roland and I checked the magnetic switch on the door and found power going to under the step, but the valve was not dumping the air and step did not flip up.  I called Keith Risch at MOT and he gave me a way to get down the road.  I went under the coach ( yes safety stands in place) and the  air lines going to the rear valve, I reversed them.  I used a 9/16 wrench ( I think a ratcheting wrench would make it easier) , air came out of course, but once I had them reversed and built up air the step is up- all the time. Luckily I have an portable step so we are using that outside when we are camped now until I get this figured out and fixed.  It does work but watch that first step- it is a loo loo.

WARNING- if you reverse those air lines the step comes up and stays up.  Be very careful when you leave your coach.
On the light side it is a bit of a work out climbing in after I got fuel, no step outside....................... ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Step will not close

Reply #1 –
 Now that is a new one. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Step will not close

Reply #2 –
Sounds like you have a problem with the Norgen valve (shuttle valve) that controls the step. This one must be the one you changed lines on that  is hid behind the step well.  It could be something as simple as a dirt/mud dauber has plugged up the exhaust valve. This valve can be adjusted to regulate the speed of movement. Depending on the age of your valve some are repairable. Inside there is a little piston that moves back and forth depending on the electric signal.  You could have gotten a piece of trash in this area and caused the piston to lock up.  This valve also has a 12VDC solenoid  that causes the piston to move when it is energized. Check this to see if you are getting power here through the door switch. Check this coil to see if it is good.

Here is a link to pics. of what I am talking about. I thought that there was a post as to how to dissemble one of these and give it a cleaning but can't seem to find it right now. Front step will not come down

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Step will not close

Reply #3 –
Put a few drops of pneumatic tool oil in the air line ahead of the solenoid valve for the step. If there isn't a small button on the valve to manually activate it then open and close the door (with ignition on) a few times to activate the valve. Maybe the small piston is just stuck. We have had good luck here at the mill using "air oil" to free up stuck valves. 
 
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Step will not close

Reply #4 –
You could bypass the Norgren valve with a double male fitting so there is no pressure on the step in either direction. When you want to travel push the step up by hand and tape it in place. It worked for me while I waited for the new Norgren to arrive. The new style Norgren is taller and requires some mounting adjustments.

Re: Step will not close

Reply #5 –
Until you get it fixed, whenever you stop or park, drop the coach down close to the ground with the "DUMP" button.

With normal air pressure, just takes a few seconds to come back up to travel height when you are ready to move again.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Step will not close

Reply #6 –
I had this happen this summer on the way back from Alaska.  Check the magnetic solenoid for continuity.  If you don't get anything than it is bad.  You can go to Norgren and buy a new solenoid which is much cheaper than buying the whole valve.  It will be a little different than the original.  To make it work you will need a washer as the hole on top is a little bigger and a longer bolt than the one that is holding down the current magnetic solenoid.  If you need the step up to travel and want it to come down when you stop you can put two temporary tees in the step cover lines and have it so that when the step well is covered the step is up and when the step well is open the step is down.
2002 36' U270 Foretravel

Re: Step will not close

Reply #7 –
Where are you now Ted? Xtreme has to remove the valve for the step conversion they do. I removed mine here at the house before going to Xtreme so I would have spares for the step cover. You could rob the step cover valve for now if you would rather have the step.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: Step will not close

Reply #8 –
Thanks for all the ideas- we made it to Yuma, dumped air and have the "Old Lady Step" outside to help us get in and out safely.  This is my secondary project as I am still working on my generator so we can come to Quartzite and boondocks.  I had the engine running 45 minutes yesterday and I shut if off.  It sure seems to be something electrical- today more experiments trying to isolate this issue.  Ho Ho Ho            ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing