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Topic: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked (2015 IH-45) (Read 793 times) previous topic - next topic

Steps don't come out when door is unlocked (2015 IH-45)

Yes I am new to Foretravel but not new to motorhomes.  When I unlock my 2015 iH-45 (using the keypad) the steps do not come out until I climb in and turn the ignition key on. What am I doing wrong?

[topic title edited to include this is regarding a newer IH-45 - Michelle]

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked

Reply #1 –
Do your steps go in when you close the door if ignition is off?
There may be a switch somewhere that changes the function so steps go out and stay out when ignition is off and door is opened.
May be near the door or on dashboard.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked

Reply #2 –
Your magnetic switch may be haywire or wired wrong
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked

Reply #3 –
The steps go in when I exit the RV and lock the coach with the keypad. Then when I unlock the coach with the keypad the steps don't come out. Sort of difficult to climb in then.

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked

Reply #4 –
Quote from: bpperk –
Yes I am new to Foretravel but not new to motorhomes.  When I unlock my 2015 iH-45 (using the keypad) the steps do not come out until I climb in and turn the ignition key on. What am I doing wrong?

Is the door open when you turn the ignition key on, or is it closed?  If it's closed, I'd say the step switch was wired backwards.  With ignition on, steps should follow the door - out when open, in when closed.

If ignition is off and door is open, and they are not extending when you open the door (not unlock, but open the door), then the step is not detecting the door is open for some reason. 

The keyless entry on an IH is different than most of the older coaches and if it's programmable to have the steps go out when you unlock the door, then you might need to find the manual for that entry system.  It's possible you need to unlock then press a digit to make the steps come out OR it's possible something wasn't wired correctly on the keyless entry.  Any chance the manual (or at least the model number and manufacturer) is in your coach literature?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked

Reply #5 –
Thanks for that information. To clarify, when parked and first exiting the steps go out and stay out. It is when I am leaving the RV and want to lock using the keypad I push and hold #1 key and it locks the entry door and side cabinets. Then when returning I use my code to unlock the coach ,the steps do not come out when I open the door. SO, I have to climb in and momentarily turn on the ignition key to have the steps roll out. When the engine is running and I park and open the door the steps follow the door. As they should. 

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked

Reply #6 –
Thanks for that information. To clarify, when parked and first exiting the steps go out and stay out. It is when I am leaving the RV and want to lock using the keypad I push and hold #1 key and it locks the entry door and side cabinets. Then when returning I use my code to unlock the coach ,the steps do not come out when I open the door. SO, I have to climb in and momentarily turn on the ignition key to have the steps roll out. When the engine is running and I park and open the door the steps follow the door. As they should. 

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked

Reply #7 –
Quote from: bpperk –
Thanks for that information. To clarify, when parked and first exiting the steps go out and stay out. It is when I am leaving the RV and want to lock using the keypad I push and hold #1 key and it locks the entry door and side cabinets. Then when returning I use my code to unlock the coach ,the steps do not come out when I open the door.

Not being familiar with the keyless entry used in the newer coaches, have you tried pushing and holding #1 when you unlock?

I'm guessing the unlock code simply unlocks the door (much as the code locks the door), then you have to press and hold a digit to fire off the algorithm that extends the steps as well.

This might actually be a question you'll need to call Foretravel technical support for, since that keyless entry is not on many coaches.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked (2015 IH-45)

Reply #8 –
Well last week I figured it out. When lock ing from the keypad the steps need to go in all the way. Mine were going in about 95% but not completly. Lubrication and working on pushing them in a few times not has made the steps reliable. Thanks all for you ideas.

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked (2015 IH-45)

Reply #9 –
Thanks for coming back with the solution.  Your problem would have driven my wife nuts.

One thing I was told was to get dry silicone spray and spray the rails all the times.  They get the road grime and tend to stick.

When it was only going in 95% was the cover/step still folding up?

As a fyi  on my 2014 IH45 my steps open and close when the ignition key is on. 
When key is off and door is open steps come out and stay out. 
If door is locked with outside keypad or via the button inside the coach, the compartment doors (except battery compartment since no electric switch), entry door, and step go in.  Makes it easy to verify coach is locked by looking to see if steps are in.
When unlocked with the outside keypad or inside button the steps will not come out until the door is open. Once steps are all the way out they will stay out.  If you shut the door before they are all the way out they will go back in.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

SPLIT: Non high-tech steps (split from Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked)

Reply #10 –
One or more of the messages of this topic have been moved to Foretravel Discussions - https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=43131.0 to keep this about the IH-45 steps
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked (2015 IH-45)

Reply #11 –
Another thanks for coming back with the solution.

Would you say the binding at 95% retraction was possibly causing a failsafe/overtorque on the motor, which then prevented the steps from extending again?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Steps don't come out when door is unlocked (2015 IH-45)

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Another thanks for coming back with the solution.

Would you say the binding at 95% retraction was possibly causing a failsafe/overtorque on the motor, which then prevented the steps from extending again?

Since the steps would work when he went inside the coach I am thinking that when he unlocked the door with the keypad and then opened the door since the steps were not fully closed they had not hit the limit switch thus the system thinking they were out
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago