Watch Your Step

⚙️ RV Steps Not Extending or Retracting? Loose Motor Mount Was the Culprit

RV Type: 2017 Winnebago Motorhome
Service Date: June 2, 2025
Issue: Kwikee electric steps intermittently failing to operate

🔍 The Problem
The customer reported that their electric entry steps would sometimes work—but other times, nothing happened at all. When I arrived, the steps were retracted and unresponsive.

This kind of intermittent issue can be tricky—it might be electrical, mechanical, or a combination of both.

🧰 Diagnosis
I connected my Skill Above step tester between the RV’s four-wire step harness and the Kwikee control board. This tester allows me to verify signal flow from three critical switches:

• The door switch

• The ignition switch

• The manual step override switch

All three inputs were sending proper signals, confirming that the control board was receiving the expected voltage.

🔧 If you don’t have a step tester, you can check these three circuits with a multimeter by checking for voltage between the following connections:

• White wire to ground for the step switch

• Yellow wire to ground for the ignition

• Red to brown wires for the door switch

Next, I tested the output from the control board to the step motor. When the door opens, the board should send 12V to the motor for 5–7 seconds—enough time to fully extend or retract the step.

To confirm the motor was functional, I applied 12V directly to the motor wires and the steps moved in and out properly.

🧠 The Real Issue
A little further down the road, the true problem revealed itself. The step motor mount had worked itself loose. That slight movement allowed the motor to shift under load, binding the gears and causing the motor to stall due to excessive current draw (a condition techs call “amping out”).

This explained the intermittent behavior—sometimes the motor had just enough alignment to run, other times it bound up completely.

✅ The Fix
Tighten the motor mount hardware to eliminate any movement. Once secured, the steps are able to extend and retracted smoothly.

💡 Takeaway
If your RV steps are behaving inconsistently, the problem may be electrical or mechanical. A loose step motor can cause binding that mimics electrical issues. Physical inspections are just as important as voltage checks—especially on older step assemblies that see frequent use.

🔧 Need help with unreliable RV steps?
I’m a certified mobile RV technician serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Whether your steps won’t move, your awning won’t extend, or your A/C is acting up, I bring professional diagnostics to your site.
Contact me today to schedule your service!