Steps won't retract when starting the motorhome

[Drum4jc]

My steps all of a sudden won't come up when I start the motorhome and the step switch is in the OFF position, they will come up when the switch is in the on position which is good but it has always worked no matter what position the switch is in... until now..

 

[Tom]

My steps all of a sudden won't come up when I start the motorhome and the step switch is in the OFF position, they will come up when the switch is in the on position which is good but it has always worked no matter what position the switch is in... until now..

It sounds like the switch is finally working the way it should.

 

[darsben]

What motor home?
MIne has 2 step switches one controlled by the chassis battery the other by the house batteries.
If you have the same then one could have been moved.
What coach do you have and what year and chassis

 

[PJ Stough]

The steps should come up when the engine is started regardless of the position of the switch.

 

[ChasA]

The steps should come up when the engine is started regardless of the position of the switch.

Yes, but only if the door is closed. OP check the magnetic reed switch in the door jamb.

 

[Drum4jc]

It sounds like the switch is finally working the way it should.

I appreciate the answer but I'm sure that the reason they use to always come up with the ignition on was so that I couldn't drive down the road with the steps down even if I forget to turn tge switch off...

 

[Drum4jc]

The steps should come up when the engine is started regardless of the position of the switch.

Yes they should but now they don't only when the switch is off and the door is closed...

 

[Drum4jc]

What motor home?
MIne has 2 step switches one controlled by the chassis battery the other by the house batteries.
If you have the same then one could have been moved.
What coach do you have and what year and chassis

Winnebago adventurer 35u 2003

 

[Drum4jc]

Winnebago adventurer 35u 2003

workhorse chassis,

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

As was already stated, the door switch has to report the door is closed before the step will come in. Sounds like your magnetic door switch isn't working. Either not making contact or broken.

 

[uchu]

In my coach, the steps only come out when opening the door. Regardless if the engine is on or off.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Your coach may not have a step mode switch, but most do. Never saw any good reason for the two operation modes, but I suppose there was a reason at one time.

 

[darsben]

On my 1990 the step will not come in when the key is turned on IF the switch on the dash is off. If the switch on the dash is on then it will come in.

 

[John From Detroit]

Blown fuse. (or the usual suspect list) ignition interlock fuse likely a 5 amp
or a bad connection or broken wire. I think it's yellow but don't quote me on that (RTFM for the color

The expensive option is a failed control module but odds low on that one.

 

[NY_Dutch]

My steps all of a sudden won't come up when I start the motorhome and the step switch is in the OFF position, they will come up when the switch is in the on position which is good but it has always worked no matter what position the switch is in... until now..

The line from the step controller to the ignition on connection is broken somewhere. Where it connects to the controller is the most common failure point since it's pretty much exposed there. A corroded butt connector is a good bet...

 

[Drum4jc]

As was already stated, the door switch has to report the door is closed before the step will come in. Sounds like your magnetic door switch isn't working. Either not making contact or broken.

when the ignition is off and tge switch ON I can open the door and tge steps go down close the door and they come back up. do you still think it's the magnetic door switch? does it serve a dual purpose where one "side" can go bad?.

 

[John Canfield]

My Horizon:

Ignition off, step switch on - steps extend and retract with door open and closure. Service shops will turn this switch on to get the steps out of the way when the door is closed

Ignition on - steps extend and retract with door open and closure

 

[Old_Crow]

when the ignition is off and tge switch ON I can open the door and tge steps go down close the door and they come back up. do you still think it's the magnetic door switch? does it serve a dual purpose where one "side" can go bad?.

No. I think Dutch nailed it. Controller is not getting a signal from the ignition switch when you turn the key on.

 

[garyb1st]

We had a similar problem with our 2005. Checked many of the same things discussed in this thread. Turned out to be the step motor. Replaced it more than a year ago and have not had a problem since.

 

[NY_Dutch]

We had a similar problem with our 2005. Checked many of the same things discussed in this thread. Turned out to be the step motor. Replaced it more than a year ago and have not had a problem since.

His steps work normally except for not retracting when the ignition is turned on. They extend and retract normally when the switch is in the "steps follow door" position, so it's not the motor causing the problem.