Anyone good with power steps? HELP!

[Dano]

I have no power going to my yellow line at the connector, (passenger side/ left rear) that powers the step over-ride/retraction when the ignition is turned on. Does anyone know where the fuses are located that power this line? The schematic shows a 5-6 amp fuse or circuit breaker and a fuse block that is powered by the ignition or other hot source. I cannot find either of these for love or money. Does ANYONE know where these things are located?
https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/sup ... 001626.pdf

Many thanks in advance,
Dano

[dougm]

I know on mine theres an inline fuse inside up by the LVD unit behind the drivers seat. I cant recall if it was for my step or the rear entry light so you might check it.

[Dano]

Will check this morning Doug thank you. Will report back anything I find
Dano

[Blue~Go]

I waited to reply, since I don't really know anything (I have manual steps). But what I do vaguely remember, is that other people have asked this in the past, and the fuse apparently isn't in any of the "obvious" places (like, say, the added Chinook fuse block by the official Ford one). I looked in the manual last night, and none of those fuses claim to be for the steps. They're usually so good with at least documenting, so it's a disappointment.

You know though, there is a similar thing that came on my rig and was also pretty undocumented. It ALSO had something to do with the ignition circuit, and that was electric dump valves (an idea thankfully discarded before yours came along). Opposite to what you want, I wanted to get rid of those valves. Of course I was able to by disconnnecting the wires, but I never was able to track down the fuse or whatever wiring was by the ignition (granted I wasn't as motivated as you, because it was just a clean-up thing and not keeping my steps from working).

Say, have you searched here in the archives? I'm pretty sure others have looked for this in the past. (Maybe I'll give it a whirl.)

[Blue~Go]

I did a search (box just to upper right of screen) and found a few threads where people were asking, but most of them kind of petered out with no definitive answer. In a thread more about generator wiring, I did find this post/photo from dougm showing the step relay. Maybe this is something to check into? If you click once or twice it will get larger (and larger).

I would have put links to the other threads but there really wasn't any better info that I saw than this one post:

[Blue~Go]

Also here is a thread from a more generic forum (which happened to be started by one of our Chinookers): Might have some good info for you.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index. ... ic=42930.0

[Dano]

Thanks a million Blue! I have tested this thing with a multi-meter and every other function works as it should except the override. If anyone else is interested, here is a link to the wiring troubleshooting and testing guide by Lippert, the manufacturer: https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/sup ... ST0500.pdf

I have actually replaced the motor, switch and a control module at this point. The motor was still okay but likely 16 years old so will keep it as a spare. If anyone is interested, a Ford electric window motor is the exact same part as your step motor that costs three times as much. ACI makes a direct replacement from Amazon and the part number is ACI 83094 Power Window Motor. Be aware the connector is not the same as your old unit but wires in the same way. Alternatively, you can cut and re-install your old connector, I hard wired mine with shrink tubing. ACI motor is $55 Canadian vs. $171 for the original Stromberg Carlson motor, part number SP-1636669. The $120 difference just about paid for a new module and switch so meaningful savings to be had here.

Back to the step issue. As of now, my steps work in reverse. Closed when the door is open, open when the door is closed. Lippert says the new control module, part number 379146 that replaces the obsolete one, uses a "Normally open" switch which I have tried twice to no avail so I am going to buy a "Normally closed" version which is what the old module used and try my luck with that and see what happens. I used a 12V switch and connected it to the step switch wiring and it open and closes no problem.

To your point Blue, I did hear a clicking up behind the switch plate and wondered if there was a relay or something like that behind it so will look into that to make sure it working. Thanks you so much for the photo. I did test the step switch at teh panel and it test okay but I have no idea if it is connected to that relay, that will be something I need to look at next.

Sorry for the ramble but it's all related! Thank you for taking the time to do that sleuthing Blue, it helped a great deal : ) Will keep updating this thread as I go, maybe it will help someone else.

Dano

[Blue~Go]

Dano,

Great info. I think your info will be a great addition to the forum - lots of threads on the step just peter out at the end (you probably found that as well).

Just for the sake of anyone who might be confused: I believe the photo I posted that was originally from dougm, shows where that switch is in the later models, and is up over the closet door (right?). On my era (which doesn't have electric steps anyway), that three switch panel is on the left as you enter the coach, on hallway wall that backs up to the shower wall (then above the closet is the CO detector and the generator switch/hour meter).

Not sure what year the switch got moved (also not sure exactly when electric steps came in; and the two may not have changed at the same time, just for a bonus).

I'm going to give my manual step a little love pat today

[Dano]

Pat it for me too, your step is looking awfully attractive to me at this moment!

[Dano]

Hoping to find a yellow wire on the relay but no such luck. Attached are a few photos of the switch panel, relay and wiring on a 2002 Concourse in case anyone needs to see inside. Lots of fun wires...Pretty sure I am going to have to get under the rig and try to trace the loom by hand to see where it all goes. The search continues...