Problem with Hymer B544 step

[theteapackets]

Hello, I'm hoping that someone else may have come accross this problem and help me!!!

Our 1996 motorhome has an electric step that just stops working for no reason. It has been taken apart several times and reassembled and it works fine until the next time!

The motor is working fine, we have even replaced the quadrant cog thing thinking the teeth may be worn, but still the step seems to work so many times and then stop again. It will stop either open or closed - it doesn't seem fussy!!!

I don't think it is anything electric, it seems almost as if the motor reaches full torque and then wont or cant start the opposite journey.

The step moves freely when the motor is off and all working parts are clean.

Thanks in advance (hopefully!!!)

 

[maingate]

Who is taking the step off and then replacing it?

If you are doing it yourself, you may be overtightening bolts or somehow twisting the frame.

My advice is to loosen off everything and then try the step. If it works OK, tighten the bolts a little bit and test it again.

Another possibility could be an intermittent 12 volt short circuit. Make sure all connections are clean and watertight as the step sits in a very bad place under the van.

 

[Coolasluck]

I have got the same problem on my 1992 b544 and know how annoying it is.
I have had it this way for months now as i have not had the time to fix it.
When we last went away i disconnected my switch wires and then opperated the step via a spare leisure battery the motor is perfect working order but it appears that the problem is the live feed to my switch,you may find you have the same problem.See if you can get hold of a spare 12 volt battery and see if you can operate it like normal using your switch wires to open and close your step,crossing the wires to open and close.Maingate was supposed to travel down here from gateshead to sort the problem for me as i am busy working and he is lazy and retired ,but he never showed up

 

[theteapackets]

Hello mainframe - been looking at your avatar for several years now!!!

My husband is doing the repair jobs. It always works for at least 10 up/down then stops. He's tried loosening the bolts once stopped, but that doesn't work. It's like it needs the motor taking off the cog and putting back on again.

Driving us mad!

 

[The Grand Wanderer]

Hi Teapackets,
The motor gets it's electrical feed from the step switch and it goes either in or out according to which way the power is flowing through the motor. The motor is not earthed to the chassis directly.
As switches age they develop a build up of tarnish on the contacts within the switch it-self or even on the spade and tounge contacts of the wires that conect to it, this can in turn cause the switch to be erratic and un-predictable in use.
My advice would be to try and get inside the switch and give the contacts a good clean or perhaps try a re-placement switch. Make sure that all conections are clean and tight upon re-asambly.
Wanderer