Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

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Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

March 30, 2016, 12:41:01 pm

I have studied numerous threads and posts concerning the installation of a switch to keep
the Kwikee steps in with the ignition turned off.

Under my coach there are 4 wires (red, white, yellow, brown) going from the controller brain box to the 4-way
plug. But, there are only 3 wires (red, white, white) coming out of the connector and going up inside the coach.

Quikee Step Wiring Diagram

Can someone please tell what the deal is, and which white wire to tap into?

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #1 – March 30, 2016, 01:12:59 pm

T man, does the article in "Modifications" on Beamalarm site not work for you doing what it tells to do. I did it for our step and it works.
JohnH

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #2 – March 30, 2016, 02:07:19 pm

John,
I believe that T-man has the Kwikee electric steps FOT started in 03'whereas (I believe) the mod listed on Beamalarm are for the dropdown air steps.
Don

Quote from: John Haygarth – March 30, 2016, 01:12:59 pm

T man, does the article in "Modifications" on Beamalarm site not work for you doing what it tells to do. I did it for our step and it works.
JohnH

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #3 – March 30, 2016, 02:11:13 pm

I realised that but thought the wiring may be same as both types switched by door

JohnH

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #4 – March 30, 2016, 02:21:30 pm

Could be... When Rance did our step conversion which uses a different Kwikee (42 series), I thought he said that it was different when I talked to hime about adding the switch. But I could be wrong!

Maybe this thread will answer the question...
Don

Quote from: John Haygarth – March 30, 2016, 02:11:13 pm

I realised that but thought the wiring may be same as both types switched by door
JohnH

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #5 – March 30, 2016, 02:22:52 pm

My steps have 4 wires going into the connector, red, white, brown and yellow. The brown and yellow must dead-end there because
what comes out the other side of the connector are red and 2 whites.

To use Beam's tech I would have to use the red wire and come out of the connector with a yellow wire that's not there now.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #6 – March 30, 2016, 02:35:21 pm

How about this possibility?

The red wire coming out of the connector is power.
That leaves 2 white wires coming out of the connector. One white wire should be brown, and the other white wire should be yellow. FOT used white wire in both cases, instead of the correct colors. The remaining empty hole in the connector needs a white wire coming out of it to use for hooking up the new switch.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #7 – March 30, 2016, 08:43:27 pm

First I ran two 16 ga wires down through the floor alongside a harness. I'll refer to them as wires A & B.

Then I cut the white wire from the controller brainbox at the 4-pin connector and connected it to wire B using a butt connector. I also spliced wire A into the red power wire just about 3" from the 4-pin connector. All this is under the coach
by the Kwikee steps.

Topside, behind the kick panel I now have two wires that should stop the steps when a switch is activated. I'm assuming that happens when 12VDC from the red wire is applied to the white wire via the switch.

Everything is as pictured in the diagram except for the fuse which I haven't got yet. I touched the two ends of wires A & B together to simulate the switch being turned on and.........................it didn't work.

The steps operate normally with no change, and there's 13.7 VDC at wire A whether the ignition or salesman's switches are on or off.

Ideas anyone?

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #8 – March 30, 2016, 09:09:57 pm

I fixed our step to go in with the ignition off, but had to do some creative wiring, right now can't remember exactly, but there is a relay activated by the ignition which I activated with a switch I put in the dash, I had to install a diode in the ignition wire to keep from back feeding the ignition when the dash switch was turned on if I remember correctly. If that doesn't work let me know and I will think harder on this but think that is how I fixed ours and it works as we were going on the New Foundland Ferry so wanted the steps in.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #9 – March 30, 2016, 09:36:12 pm

That sounds promising Ron.
What kind of a diode?

I'd like to got to Newfoundland on the ferry too, so I need this step thing to work.
I was stationed there in the USN for 2 years, back in the mid 60's.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #10 – March 30, 2016, 09:37:51 pm

T-man, I sure hope you figure this out as I'd like to do the same thing as you.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #11 – March 30, 2016, 09:42:33 pm

Steve wired our Kwikee step conversion to do that, so it's possible (we have stay in/stay out/move with door/ignition override move with door). Nothing fancy, just 2 switches. Wish I had documented what Steve did, but it's not in my files.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #12 – March 30, 2016, 09:46:05 pm

Quote from: rbark – March 30, 2016, 09:37:51 pm

T-man, I sure hope you figure this out as I'd like to do the same thing as you.

Maybe I'll give Kwikee a quick call in the morning and speak with a tech rep...... It's their diagram.

Might need a new brain box. I know the white wire terminates there and it's getting power.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #13 – March 30, 2016, 09:46:49 pm

Quote from: Michelle – March 30, 2016, 09:42:33 pm

Wish I had documented what Steve did, but it's not in my files.

Sorry to hear.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #14 – March 30, 2016, 09:51:16 pm

Quote from: Traveling Man – March 30, 2016, 09:46:49 pm

Sorry to hear.

Quick, cheap, and dirty fix for keeping step in is to apply a magnet on the door sensor. We helped a forum member do that after the Mineola Grandvention when his step was stuck out due to a broken wire. Test placement of a magnet on the portion that is mounted on the frame, not the door.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #15 – March 30, 2016, 10:05:46 pm

Quote from: Michelle – March 30, 2016, 09:51:16 pm

Quick, cheap, and dirty fix for keeping step in is to apply a magnet on the door sensor. We helped a forum member do that after the Mineola Grandvention when his step was stuck out due to a broken wire. Test placement of a magnet on the portion that is mounted on the frame, not the door.

How is that different than the magnet on the door touching it?

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #16 – March 30, 2016, 10:17:04 pm

Quote from: Traveling Man – March 30, 2016, 10:05:46 pm

How is that different than the magnet on the door touching it?

If you want the step to stay in with the door open, you need to fool the sensor into thinking the door in is. That's what the magnet applied to the frame sensor does - takes the place of the magnet in the door....

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #17 – March 30, 2016, 10:21:11 pm

I understand.
But I need to fool the brain box so that when the ignition is off the steps will stay in if wanted..

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #18 – March 30, 2016, 10:24:38 pm

Quote from: Traveling Man – March 30, 2016, 10:21:11 pm

I understand.
But I need to fool the brain box so that when the ignition is off the steps will stay in if wanted..

The only reason the steps should go out with the ignition off is if the door is open. If you apply the magnet across the sensor it should prevent the sensor from detecting the opening of the door.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #19 – March 30, 2016, 10:34:43 pm

I will try the magnet trick tomorrow. But, longer term I am also interested in a switch to control the step. Thank you

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #20 – March 30, 2016, 10:49:51 pm

Next time I get a chance, I will see if I can figure out how Rance wired the switch for our Kwikee series 42 steps to stay in. But one quick and dirty way to make sure it doesn't come out (at least on our 99') is to disconnect the chassis battery when the step is in. I am attaching a manual for a version of the 42 series which may or may not correspond to the way yours is wired. I think maybe Rance added the switch via a relay to activate the ignition override switch, but just a guess on my part based on very hazy recollection and a quick read of part of this manual.
Don

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #21 – March 30, 2016, 11:02:15 pm

Here is an a paste of some text from an addendum of sorts to Kwikee electric step manuals that talks about a nomenclature change regarding the power switch. It is now called an override switch... may or may not be relevant.

Quote

Improved control unit logic Step is always open when door is open. Step can be locked in the extended position. Step cannot be locked in retracted position. Automatic ignition override makes step follow door.
New Owners Manual A new #888 Owners Manual ships with all steps that have the improved step components, except the 42 and 44 series steps. A new #842A Owners Manual ships with the 42 series and a revised owners manual ships with 44 series steps.
An important change covered in the new owners manual is the "Override Switch" (previously called the "Power Switch" in the owners manual). The name of the switch changed because of a change of functionality from the former "Power Switch".
The new Control Units are equipped with an ignition override system designed to prevent the vehicle from being driven with the step in the extended position. When the step is locked in the extended position (OVERRIDE SWITCH IS IN THE 'ON' POSITION), the door is closed, and the ignition is turned on, the ignition override system will engage and the step will automatically retract.
Please note that is a change from the old "Power Switch", which needed to be in the "OFF" position to lock the step out.
If you have questions, contact your Kwikee salesperson or call the Kwikee Service Department at 1-800-736-9961.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #22 – March 30, 2016, 11:14:20 pm

I think I have the 32 series steps.

From Kwikee;
Lippert 372261 32 Series Electric Double Step (Kwikee 903209025)

Part #903209025

24" tread with Motor, Control Unit (#909510000) and Switch Kit (#905325000)

Double Electric Steps

Clearance from mounting surface to ground, 19-28".
Black, powder-coated finish.
Non-skid tread surface.
Safely supports up to 750 lbs.
Choose electronic or operator control.

Electronic control:

Door switch extends step when door is opened, retracts step when door is closed.
Power switch locks step in extended position.
Ignition override retracts step when ignition is turned on.
"Last out" feature extends step when the door is opened.

Operator control:

Self-centering rocker switch, manually operated extends or retracts the step.

Includes:

Steps with Pre-IMGL Motor, Control Unit (909510000)
Door Magnets
Door Switch (905325000) (Rectangular Magnet Door switch is included with this step, which is the most popular switch. If your current switch is different please purchase accordingly)
Instruction Manual

Note: Lippert 372261 replaces Kwikee 903209025, Lippert 3722611, Kwikee 903209125

So after reading " Door switch extends step when door is opened, retracts step when door is closed" concerning the electronic control I have to say that my steps are always out unless the ignition is on, and then, and only then do they retract.

Boy am I confused! If the ignition switch is on, the steps are retracted. If I open the door the steps extend, and if I close the door the steps retract. If the ignition switch is off the steps are always extended, and the door has no effect on them.

It sounds like what I'm looking for in the description above. Door closed, ignition off, steps in. Ignition on, steps
always in, even if the override to keep them out is in use.

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #23 – March 31, 2016, 08:06:23 am

Quote from: Traveling Man – March 30, 2016, 11:14:20 pm

I think I have the 32 series steps.

From Kwikee;
Lippert 372261 32 Series Electric Double Step (Kwikee 903209025)

Part #903209025
Note: Lippert 372261 replaces Kwikee 903209025, Lippert 3722611, Kwikee 903209125

T-man,

More to add to the confusion, if your steps are the original ones with your coach, they are original Kwikee and are the old style control and the Lippert info won't necessarily match.

If they have been replaced, they could be more recent Kwikee or Lippert (Lippert bought Kwikee) with the new control.

Off-topic but if the latter, and replaced sometime between 2008 and maybe 2015, be aware that they have been recalled Lippert to Recall 47,350 Coach Step Electric Entry Steps

Re: Help With Kwikee Step Switch To Keep Steps In

Reply #24 – March 31, 2016, 09:00:19 am

I think mine are OEM, but I'm going to check with Kwikee/Lippert today.

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