Retractable step not retracting

[Polobonnie100]

Hi, I have a 2006 Autocruise Stargazer. The rear door step has suddenly stopped retracting when I start the engine. I can still close it with the manual button, but worried that I may forget. Any ideas on how to fix this please?

 

[andy63]

Have a look underneath at the step and try and identify a switch that is operated by the step.. it provides a path to the negative side of the coil on the relay that closes the step on the engine run signal..
It's most probably stuck open circut..
Andy

 

[Polobonnie100]

Had a look, but can't see any switch. Load of dried mud though! I think it also controls the fridge when the engine is running. I am sure this happened before and I just tapped a relay somewhere to release it...

 

[GeoffnDee]

Is the fridge working ok on 12v with the engine running ,this would confirm that there is a engine running signal being received ( or not ) as the fridge and auto-retract for the step often share this signal to operate.

 

[Polobonnie100]

No, it's not, you are right. Any ideas on how to resolve, please?

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[GeoffnDee]

Try checking the fridge fuses (there should be 2) on the power supply board also a fuse marked D+ if there is one.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Polobonnie100 If the fuses are ok on the control board, the relay you tapped before is probably near the engine battery along with another one (there may be fuses there as well)

 

[Polobonnie100]

The relay I tapped before is at the back of a cupboard under the (rear mounted) sink. You have to be a contortionist to get to it. If it is the one, it also does the rear parking sensors. I have tapped it again, but still doesn't work. £70+ on eBay for a new relay, but I don't want to buy it until I'm sure it's the right one. Off to check the fuses and see if the rear sensors work...thanks.

 

[GeoffnDee]

That is, I think ,just for the parking sensors, are there 2 relays together near the starter battery ?

 

[Polobonnie100]

Parking sensors working, fridge fuses OK. Have given it a good brushing. Still no go...help??

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[Polobonnie100]

That is, I think ,just for the parking sensors, are there 2 relays together near the starter battery ?

Sorry, what does the starter battery look like, please?

 

[Landy Andy]

The starter battery of a Ducato will be under the floor by the passengers feet.

The will probably be a wire with a fuse that runs from there towards your hab battery, that informs the system that the engine is running.

 

[Bessy765]

For the step to retract and the fridge to run on 12 it needs a D+ signal from when the engine alternator starts charging. This will go to one side of the relay.

 

[Speve]

There is a switch from memory on the left hand side of the step bracket it could be bunged up with mud and not working

 

[Polobonnie100]

The starter battery of a Ducato will be under the floor by the passengers feet.

The will probably be a wire with a fuse that runs from there towards your hab battery, that informs the system that the engine is running.

Off to look now, it's a Peugeot Boxer, but probably similar...thanks
Is the starter battery the main one under the bonnet?

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[Landy Andy]

Off to look now, it's a Peugeot Boxer, but probably similar...thanks
Is the starter battery the main one under the bonnet?

Yes, if you have an older version

 

[Speve]

There’s a picture here if you close in the switch is top left hand corner

Can I convert manual Thule step to electric, have bits from broken step.

Does anyone know if I can convert a manual single Thule step to electric. My electric step works but has been bashed about and repaired a few times. I hoped I could buy the cheaper manual step and swop bits over.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[GeoffnDee]

I think the starter battery could be under the bonnet on your 2006 model if not it will be where Andy Landy suggests under the cab floor

 

[Speve]

Personally I think if it’s working on the manual step switch I think the automatic switch on the step is jammed in the closed position and therefore will not retract on start up, it’s nothing to do with fuses or relays
try the simple things first

 

[Polobonnie100]

Off to look for a switch again... no can't see a switch anywhere. It is a 2006 model, bless her. Fridge not working when on engine either...

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[GeoffnDee]

I take it there are no relays near the starter battery under the bonnet then ? The relay that needs to be found operates powering the fridge and then the automatic retraction of the step when the engine is started , the manual step switch operation has its own separate power supply and fuse , which is working ok in your case.
As the fridge is also not working ,as well as auto retraction of the step this points a faulty fridge relay or its power supply / fuse,
A faulty/jammed step switch could cause the step not to work but this would not cause the fridge not to operate ,as in your case .,which is why I think the fridge relay to be faulty as it links the two problems.

 

[Speve]

Here’s the Thule instructions for double step.

https://cdn1.static-tgdp.com/assetloader.axd?pimid=307571&id=446269&brand=Thule&market=GB&att=1

 

[Bessy765]

The system for manually closing the step is wired slightly different than for the auto close. All that happens is when there is a signal from the D+ line when the alternator starts charging a relay trips and links the manual wiring circuit. There are not two separate wires to the step motor. On some models there is a block of relays in the ‘B‘ post by the drivers seat. It has three relays one for the fridge to energise the supply on 12 volt, one for the auto close link for the step and one for the split charger.I think it is on later model but worth a look.