Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Door step not opening when coach running (Read 1180 times) previous topic - next topic

Door step not opening when coach running

My door step will open when I shut off coach but if running the step won't open. This just started happening. Could the sensor on the door jam be bad?

This isn't a huge deal but when I'm jumping in and out while idling it's irritating.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #1 –
I believe the step closes when the door is closed.
Are  you stating the step does not open even when the door is open and key is on?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #3 –
Dylan, not irritating, it is dangerous. . . Check magnet switch near door hinge. When magnetic switch senses door open, it is designed prevent ignition voltage from reaching pneumatic solenoid behind step, to drop outside step.

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Dylan, not irritating, it is dangerous. . . Check magnet switch near door hinge. When magnetic switch senses door open, it is designed prevent ignition voltage from reaching pneumatic solenoid behind step, to drop outside step.
When you say "check", do you mean check that there is no voltage at magnetic switch when door is open and key on?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Peter –
I believe the step closes when the door is closed.
Are  you stating the step does not open even when the door is open and key is on?
Yes, correct....but it does open when the key is off.

It might be the magnetic switch, not sure how often those go bad.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #6 –
The magnetic switch is a simple single pole normally open switch so with ignition on there should be 12 volts available at one of the two screw terminals and the other screw terminal should only have 12 volts present when the magnet is near the switch ie; screen door closed.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Geodmann –
The magnetic switch is a simple single pole normally open switch so with ignition on there should be 12 volts available at one of the two screw terminals and the other screw terminal should only have 12 volts present when the magnet is near the switch ie; screen door closed.
Thanks, so if I'm getting 12 volts with the door open is the logical conclusion that the switch is bad?
...I guess the other option is i could follow the wire and see if it's grounding or disconnected somewhere, assuming it goes to the fuse panel behind the passenger access door.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #8 –
When Ignition is on, voltage is on 'in' side of magnetic switch.  With door closed, the other 'out' terminal on the magnetic switch flows electricity to the pneumatic solenoid behind the step that pushes step closed.

When ignition is off, no voltage is on 'in' or 'out' terminals of switch, so step is pushed down.

When door is opened magnetic switch should sense the magnet being moved away, causing the magnetic switch to 'open' which prevents voltage from flowing to 'out' terminal, so step is pushed down.

If the magnet is not aligned or missing, the magnetic switch will continue to flow electricity to 'out' terminal, keep pushing step up.

If magnetic switch fails it may stay closed all the time.

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –

When door is opened magnetic switch should sense the magnet being moved away, causing the magnetic switch to 'open' which prevents voltage from flowing to 'out' terminal, so step is pushed down.

If the magnet is not aligned or missing, the magnetic switch will continue to flow electricity to 'out' terminal, keep pushing step up.

If magnetic switch fails it may stay closed all the time.

I stand corrected.  I stated "normally open" and Barry has pointed out that it is actually a "normally closed " switch.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #10 –
I'm having a delay of this step opening, it's a good 15-20 seconds after the door is open that the step decides to open.  Anyone have ideas on what the issue could be here?
Eric and Lisa; Milwaukee, Wi
1996 Foretravel U270

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #11 –
Could be not enough air pressure or the exhausts ports on the control needs opening.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #12 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Could be not enough air pressure or the exhausts ports on the control needs opening.
X2.  Pressure regulator can go wonky - replace.  Control electro-pneumatic solenoid plugged up with gunk - can be disassembled and cleaned, or replaced.  Link below has more info:

How the inside step slide and outside step operate

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: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #13 –
Never did get around to troubleshooting this...

So I'm not getting 12v at all at either of the connections.

With key on I'm getting 1.4 volts at the one labeled NO, which I assume means normal open. When I move the magnet close the voltage drops to 1.3 volts. Could this mean the switch is bad?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #14 –
What is voltage on the IN side of the switch?  That will help identify the problem.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #15 –
Brett, mine doesn't show an "In", it has a Com, NO and an NC.

And like I mentioned above I'm not getting 12 volts to any of the three connectors on this switch whether the door is open or closed
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #16 –
Tripped circuit breaker behind the panel in front of the passenger seat?
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: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #17 –
Quote from: craneman –
Tripped circuit breaker behind the panel in front of the passenger seat?
I'll have to track down which circuit breaker it is and see if that's the case
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #18 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
I'll have to track down which circuit breaker it is and see if that's the case

Looks like #12

The selected media item is not currently available.
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: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #19 –
Aren't those circuit breakers supposed to reset themselves? Or i guess they can go bad?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #20 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
1. Aren't those circuit breakers supposed to reset themselves?
2. Or i guess they can go bad?

Dylan,
1 Yes
2 Yes
With a volt meter check to see if the breaker is passing voltage. If so then the hunt for a faulty crimp fitting or a bad spot in the wire.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Door step not opening when coach running

Reply #21 –

Just to follow up on this, it was the switch that was mounted to the wall with the wires running to it that was bad. I was able to find some knock-offs on Amazon, they were a touch shorter so the screw holes didn't line up perfectly, but close enough.

Now I just need to work on what the air leak is underneath the step, it's working fine but when the door is open, key on, and step is open,  can hear a lot of air leaking down there... not that big of a deal since I don't have the key on and the door open very often obviously.

Amazon.com: YXQ 3 Sets MC-31B Magnetic Reed Switch Normally Open Closed NC...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS