Autotrail Arapaho step suddenly not working

[Langloan]

Just suddenly stuck in out position.

Changed the fuse in position 4 marked “air con” to the 5 marked “step” and that hasn’t fixed it

Any other ideas?

 

[GeoffnDee]

I think that you are looking at the fuses in the EM50, if so , there are jumper pins in with the fuses that control step operation settings , are they fully pressed in ? Also are the other fuses ok F1 = EM50 supply (2amp) F9 = Vehicle battery (20amp) F8 = ?
There should also be a main 50amp EM50 supply fuse which may be close to the starter battery (if anything else is not working that is EM50 controlled , Fridge, marker lights ,heater)

 

[Langloan]

My EM50 red light is now not on and I think it should be ?

I can see the jumpers but can’t see how they turn on or off?

 

[GeoffnDee]

If the jumpers are still in place they should be ok (they are for setting the step operation configuration), have you checked if EM50 F1 and F9 fuses are ok and also if there is a 50amp EM50 supply fuse at the starter battery positive terminal area.(it may be a Midi fuse)
Is your fridge still working ?

 

[Langloan]

Fridge etc all still working

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[Langloan]

Any idea how I manually shut the step so I can drive home?

 

[GeoffnDee]

If the fridge is working I think the main 50amp fuse may be ok. The only way that I can think of to get the step in manually is to dis-connect the motor operating arm from the step but this may not be easy to get at , hopefully someone else may have a better idea. (Do you have breakdown cover as I would think this would be covered as it makes the Motorhome un-drivable and they should be able to get it in for you to be able to get home)

 

[Langloan]

When checking the other fuses can you please explain how I tell if they are ok or not?

 

[Langloan]

I don’t have a meter or anything

 

[Gaston aires]

Any idea how I manually shut the step so I can drive home?

A photo of the step would help.

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[Trevor Wbm]

What make of step is it? I have been having a running battle with my TecnoStep for two years ...

Up until recently holding the retract button and giving them a sharp kick from underneath has worked*, sometimes first time, sometimes after several goes. If that is the case, there may be some wear in the frame that allows the step to go beyond a point from which it can retract, or on the brushes and commutator in the motor. It's also worth examining the switches that the step hits when it opens and closes - they are the same as the interior light door switches on mine. If you can free it, opening it in short bursts until it's very nearly fully extended will extend it's usable life. Mine is now past that and waiting for a new motor, first promised in July, now September.

*If you're wearing flip flops, put something more substantial on. Trust me

 

[Langloan]

Have noticed that the red light on the EM50 box has gone out and when I turn on the ignition there is a beeping warning alarm coming out of the box - any ideas?

 

[GeoffnDee]

Try using the F4 fuse you removed as a replacement in F1 and then F9 as a temporary measure to see if it puts the light back on.
The warning alarm may be linked to the step operation

 

[Gellyneck]

Not sure what age your Arapaho is but there's a fuse on our Savannah (2013) in the EC distribution panel that isolates our step. I removed it when the step was needing repair.
Think it was #14 but....

Just checked and it seems it is #14 in our EC500 and it is marked as "Future Supply" in the manual.

 

[Langloan]

Try using the F4 fuse you removed as a replacement in F1 and then F9 as a temporary measure to see if it puts the light back on.
The warning alarm may be linked to the step operation

No joy

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[Langloan]

Will start a thread re em50 unit beeping

 

[GeoffnDee]

The EM50 has a built in warning beeper for when the auto retract of the steps should be taking place so maybe , as has been suggested , the step is stuck itself and needs a nudge (carefully)

 

[Langloan]

The EM50 has a built in warning beeper for when the auto retract of the steps should be taking place so maybe , as has been suggested , the step is stuck itself and needs a nudge (carefully)

Got it - the EM50 is basically shouting “fix the step” before driving

 

[GeoffnDee]

Yes it is a safety feature , Your other post may give you an answer if you have tried giving it a nudge that may help the limit switches that are fitted on the step to work as they should, It is also possible that the wiring connections on the rear of the EM50 are the problem
Where abouts are you , perhaps someone near with a test meter could help ?

 

[tonka]

Sorry I cant help with the step, a lot of regular suggestions already made.
But a heads up to others reading this thread, Get a cheap multimeter to carry in the van.
Even if you cant use it yourself there may be others nearby who can and it can often get you out of a fix..

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[Langloan]

Many thanks to all for the inputs

 

[GeoffnDee]

Langloan It may not make sense but you could try using the central locking to lock and then un-lock the van as the EM50 and its step control is linked to the central locking and it may help somehow .

 

[chrisbutcher999]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? As mine is now stuck out

 

[GeoffnDee]

chrisbutcher999 Have you checked the step fuse and others in the EM 50 interface module that is normally behind the drivers seat on Autotrails

 

[chrisbutcher999]

Yeah did a quick check tonight but will have a good look in the morning
Thanks

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[Langloan]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? As mine is now stuck out

To avoid future grief I locked it shut and bought a large plastic step which is in fact far easier to use

 

[chrisbutcher999]

Ha Ha Ha, Just what I was thinking, but the B!@£$%^d thing started working again so I cleaned it all out and covered it in grease

 

[Whiskeymac]

I had the same problem with my Autotrail step as it stuck out, I found it was water getting into the micro switch, so I had to disconnect the Leaver and then secure the step in the closed position, hope this helps
Regards Whiskeymac