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Topic: Air step stuck in down position (Read 1247 times) previous topic - next topic

Air step stuck in down position

Just came home from a run down to the hill country in Texas. Motorhome ran well, generator doing fine with tightened fan belt, stopped at the Hill County Texas Safety Rest Stop and my step would not come up when I shut the door and started the engine. I ended up driving it home with the step down for about 100 miles.  :o

Can anybody lead me through trouble shooting a step that doesn't retract? It had been working well, but the last few times I noticed it was a little slow closing.

On the way to Austin from Hunt Texas saw two Foretravels of similar vintage running south while I was running north on Sunday. We waved. Both were running without toads I think.

1998 U270 36 footer
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #1 –
In the short term just close it by hand.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #2 –
It won't close by hand.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #3 –
In that case sounds like  the air cylinders may be frozen. I can close mine ev n with full air pressure. The pressure on the is regulated by a regulator on the back side of the steps. You might try a bit of spray lube on the air cyl rods.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #4 –
You may have trash in your shuttle valve/ Norgen valve that operates the step. If the valve is stuck you won't be able to overcome the air pressure as it will be trying to keep the step open. Here is couple of links to what you are looking for. Front step will not come down 
step cover not working
The old style are repairable if you are a tinkering kind of person. I don't have the replacement part number with me at this time if you need a new one, but will look it up and post that info later for you.

Mike

On edit:  Your coach should have the old style if they have never been changed out. These should have been Norgen  MK-01CEA35AGN-A which is now obsolete but you may find a "New Old Stock" one somewhere.  The replacement number should be V-61R517AA312-JB    Took me a while to dig my spare out to get the number.
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #5 –
If you have an extra magnet, you might try taping it to your magnetic sensor. If that does not work, then it is probably in your hydraulic/mechanical system.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #6 –
Mine did the same thing 2 months ago and it was the reed switch on the door. About 10 bucks on Amazon and if you can operate a screwdriver you can change it
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #7 –
Can I jump the two terminals on the magnetic switch to see if that closes?
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #8 –
Yes, a jumper would do the same thing as a magnet.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #9 –
I am surprised that no one mentioned the electric 12 volt power required before the step will pull into the up position when the door is closed. If the 12 volt relay which is triggered by turning the ignition "on" is faulty the step will not retract with engine running. Of course several other items will not be working either. The fuse on that circuit is a self resetting fuse which can stay open circuit if it is faulty. This wiring is behind the dash panel in front of the passenger seat.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #10 –
I will check for 12 volts at relay on Saturday. Appreciate the suggestions. I have jumpered the switch to no avail.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #11 –
The reed switch I bought
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #12 –
Did you use a volt meter or 12v test light to verify that you have 12 volts at and leaving the micro switch?
Verify that the ground wire from the solenoid valve to the frame is making a good connection. That was the reason our step would not retract.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #13 –
Finally worked on the step today. Step was retracting, but slowly, then stopped after successfully retracting about ten times. Set my safety blocks and discovered pressure regulator at 20 psi. Moved it up to 65 PSI and the step goes up and down smartly.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.
 

Re: Air step stuck in down position

Reply #14 –
Our step was dangerously slow in going down. Disconnected wires and air lines from solenoid valve, took valve apart, cleaned out innards, lubed O-rings with light coating of plumbers silicone grease and put back together. Now good as new.

When replacing another of these valves many years ago, learned the new model is a little different and does not fit the same on the back of the step, so a rebuild also puts back the same unit, making life easier.

When 12v is removed, an internal spring pushes a shuttle valve to one side. When 12v is applied, a small solenoid opens a small air chamber to let air pressure push the shuttle against the spring.

On one end of the shuttle movement, air pressure flows to one end of step air cylinder, allowing cylinder to exhaust through the other end of valve, through an adjustable restrictive exhaust port designed to slow down step movement.

The valve just reverses the step air cylinder air flow when the shuttle is on the other end of the valve, exhausting through a different adjustable restrictive port.