Chinook RV

Whenever I camp in a campground I would love for a way to turn OFF the power steps in the OPEN position. Whenever I turn them off in the open position they retract before becoming inactive. is that normal? It seems such a waste of the motor to have the stairs opening and closing each time I enter and exit. Also, when parked next to someone I am aware the stair motor may disturb neighbors. Appreciate any help, thanks!

I can't answer (because I have manual steps), but I can say that what you want to do is perfectly normal (not that you needed me to say so). A friend with an "other brand" Class C has the electric steps and they work thusly (with no special switches):

1) When you start the ignition (to drive away), they retract. They then stay retracted until....
2) You turn off the ignition (still they are retracted), and then open the door for the first time after shutting the engine off. Then they extend (and stay extended until you start the ignition again).

In other words, they would normally work just how you want them to. No retracting/extending every time you open the door (unless for some reason the engine was turned on, since then they would get the ignition cue and retract, so then have to extend again when the door was opene).

I *think* there was an override to KEEP them retracted (like if you were parked next to a high curb that could damage them). That was the only time you had to "do" something though.

Now I'm curious how other Chinooks with electric steps work? I would be super annoyed to have them extending and retracting every time I opened the door while camping (and yeah, neighbors probably not to thrilled either).

Lots of folks here with the electric steps, so let's see what they say. OTOH, if this curious way is normal for Chinook, then I'm sure they could be re-wired to act differently. So let's see...

Mine work as Blue describes. With the engine not running they extend when the rear door is opened (staying extended) and retract once the ignition key is turned on. If the engine is running they will extend when the rear door is opened but retract as soon as the rear door is shut.

I am not the original owner of my 2003 Concourse so I don't know if mine were rewired. I definitely would appreciate it if they didn't do this. My key is never in the ignition, of course, when camping. Do you know if there is a way to just unplug them when camping? Is there a kill switch for the chassis battery?

Good to know Chinook wasn't totally illogical

If you are so inclined, I believe Kwikee has wiring diagrams available. You could compare how yours are to how they are supposed to be (since it sounds like they are supposed to be the way you want them). That might be better in the long run than a workaround. I bet quite a few folks here would be willing to help if you want to dig in.

(I think the metal part of the Chinook steps is custom, but if I remember correctly they use Kwikee motors.)

I do not have the power step, so take it with a big block of salt.

1, I suspect that there is a short somewhere that make one of the wire always hot even when the ignition is off. Do you have the motorized dump valves? If you can operate them even with the ignition is off, it can be a sign that they are related to the same electrical problem. You can disconnect it temporarily to force the step to be extended, but it should be fixed later.

2, If the line is not hot unless the ignition is on, then it can be issue with the power step switch. You can test the wiring just before it goes into the power step to make sure the line is functioning as expected.

Edit:
Is this the right manual?
https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/sup ... EP02_S.pdf

I think Chinook (wisely) got away from the motorized dump valves before BlueBird's time (good move), but I think your reasoning and process is good, chin_k. I also agree that this is something you should fix or get fixed correctly. Disconnecting the start battery every time you stop sounds like too much of a workaround (at least to me). And if the steps are having a mind of their own, what if they deploy when you are driving? That could get expensive.

I'd say that could be the right manual - good find. It says it applies to any step manufactured after January 2002. it's certainly worth looking at since Bluebird is a 2003 (is it a 2002 or 2003 chassis?). Possibly Chinook had stockpiled the motor from before that date, but the motor/wiring may not even have changed (since we don't actually have the step unit on the rear entry; just the motor and wiring AFAIK).

My 2003 Premier has a switch up above the rear closet that allows me to turn off my power steps. So, when I'm parked at a campsite I open the rear door, go inside and turn the steps off so they don't retract and extend each time I open or close the door. If I turn on the ignition the steps will automatically retract even when the switch is in the off position. In my particular unit the previous owner towed a boat so he installed a separate plunger-style switch to allow him to stop the steps in a position that allowed his hitch bar to fit in between the steps.

Wow-- thank you both for your help. Blue, you are right, I do not have the power dump switches. Chin_k, thanks for the manual for the steps. That is VERY helpful. I will take that to my electrical service tech to see if he can rectify the situation. Per the manual, it appears the yellow wire is not attached to my ignition, so therefore the Last In mode does not work. Also, I am checking with the original owner. He may be able to shed some light on why they operate in continuous mode. I will keep you posted!

Sounds like a good plan. Having it set up right will likely save you headaches in the long run (or wallet aches). It's always nice to get follow-up and find out how things turn out