Troubleshooting Lippert Electric Coach Steps That Won't Open When Door Opens

Question:

Before I spend $177 on a new LC301702 control module or $222 on a new LC301695 motor, which is only a couple of years old, Im hoping you can help me with troubleshooting the following issues: 1. The steps do not extend when the door is opened. 2. They do extend when I disconnect the step motor from the control module and apply 12 volts directly to the motor. 3. In order to get the steps to retract, I have to reconnect the motor to the control module and close the door 3. I tried reversing the polarity to the motor to see if the steps would retract. They do not. a. Should the steps retract when polarity is reversed? b. Is the LC301695 motor specifically designed to operate in reverse when polarity is reversed? c. If Item b. is true, why would the steps retract when connected to the module and not with direct 12v reverse polarity to the motor? Thanks in advance for you support and speedy reply!

asked by: Robin S

Expert Reply:

I'll start this off by trying to address one of the most pertinent questions to this, it would seem. According to Lippert, the Lippert # LC301695 motor should work in the opposite direction when the polarity is reversed, so it's a little bit puzzling as to why this isn't working when you do that. With that said, it would seem that since the motor is still opening and retracting the steps (just with odd functionality) that the motor is not the likely issue. If the motor wasn't working it most likely wouldn't operate the steps at all. Regardless, there are a few things we can check out here.

I would start by confirming that all of the ground connections for the steps are good; make sure they're secured to a paint, corrosion and debris free section of the trailer frame and that nothing has come loose. The other thing we'll want to look at is when the door opens, does the light under the step housing next to the control module come on? If it doesn't, there may be an issue with the magnetic switch.

When I spoke with my technical contact over at Lippert, he seemed to think that the most likely cause of this would be the control module, which can be replaced using the # LC301702. The motor not working when the polarity is reversed is a little bit puzzling, since it should work in the manner that you mentioned when reversed. I would start by checking the ground wires and whether or not the light is going on when the door is opened, as mentioned above.

If you can let me know what the result of these first two tests are, I can continue to help you troubleshoot this issue.

expert reply by: Erik B