Thule Omnistep Dropdown 12v Electric 550 - not descending fully (1 Viewer)

[Rob99]

Hi - my electric Thule step is not descending all the way. It does about 80% of the journey and then seems to lose the will to go the full way where it would "lock" unto the down position. It's not super enthusiastic about going up either, sometimes needing a little push to get there. I have connected up to the mains to make sure I am well powered - the result is the same - does not seem to be a battery charge issue.

I have also tried a bit of WD40 on the moving parts - no change.
Bessaccar Motorhome and step about 7 years old and lightly used.
Is it likely that the motor has worn out a bit but not fully? should I be looking at a new motor or a new step? Looks like the step is about £250 plus fitting. Maybe I should just buy one of those £12 plastic steps?
On a like for like basis, I should be able to change it myself – but I am wary of the electrics – its not just to power, there is a switch and also it is linked to the ignition somehow as it automatically retracts when the engine starts.
I don’t want to start a job I cant finish!

Any thoughts on repair / replacement / workaround?

 

[Burgo]

Others may step in, but I believe wd40 is a water-repellent and not much of a lubricant. When my step gets hesitant I've had better luck cleaning any road crud off with a scrubbing brush and hot soapy water, then using PTFE spray or Thetford toilet seal lube on all the pivots and moving bits.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Sometimes the motor spindle can become tight though road muck and a bit of corrosion our did this it was a simple strip and clean the shaft be careful as plastics do not like oil.

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[icantremember]

Spray all the joints & hinges with silicone or PTFE spray, not WD

 

[tonka]

On my Autotrail whenever I had issues with the step it was the leisure battery being a bit low. Mainly happened in the winter after it had stood s while. Once charged all was fine.
As others said, WD40 is not advised..
Charge battery and try a good clean before spending cash

 

[donkey]

Hi
Not sure if the mechanism is the same or similar to my slide out Omnistep, but if you decide to strip to clean and lube, do be careful. When the motor is energised make sure your fingers are nowhere near the mechanism, it will have them off just like a guillotine.
Geoff

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[Hettie's Crew]

Our step did just that in our previous motorhome, 2011 Swift Bessacarr E450, at the same time we had a fault with the water level telling us it was empty when it wasn’t. I completely stripped the step and found it to be like new, no faults. It turned out to the Sargent control box, a quite common fault on that age Swift. I had to remove the Sargent box and send it to Sargent for repair which was quite reasonable, £75 plus postage.
Not saying this applies to your problem but worth considering. You may not even have a Sargent box.

 

[icantremember]

Our step did just that in our previous motorhome, 2011 Swift Bessacarr E450, at the same time we had a fault with the water level telling us it was empty when it wasn’t. I completely stripped the step and found it to be like new, no faults. It turned out to the Sargent control box, a quite common fault on that age Swift. I had to remove the Sargent box and send it to Sargent for repair which was quite reasonable, £75 plus postage.
Not saying this applies to your problem but worth considering. You may not even have a Sargent box.

I agree with that as we had the same problem with our 2010 Autocruise on the last day of the 3yr warranty and Sargent sent me a replacement unit foc the following day.

 

[tonyidle]

At the step itself there are only 3 wires to disconnect: 2 to the motor and 1 to the " microswitch" (it's the same as an old fashioned door light switch). You can easily remove the whole assembly from the van so you can work on it in comfort. Any spares you might need are readily available.

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[andy63]

Seem to be a couple step thread running..
May be helpful to read the replies to the other one..

Omnistep (Thule Single Step 460)

The offending step has stopped working as it should, struggling to fully activate any movement. The step just about moves when the switch is pressed. I have trawled through the relevant previous post and picked up that the battery could be on it's way out. The habitation battery is a good...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Andy

 

[Diabalo]

I had a similar problem and it was a stripped gear, have a butchers at the thread below.

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/thule-v10-step.218596/

 

[Diabalo]

Just remembered on some Sargent systems there was a problem with a defective poly-fuse in the PSU that had something to do with the step not working correctly, if I remember correctly Jaws flagged it up.

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[donkey]

Not sure which PSU you have fitted, but if it is a Sargent unit it probably has a 'Step Run Time' facility.
This can be adjusted in the advanced settings menu and for double steps is usually set for a longer 'run' time.
If you are not sure how to access the advanced settings, just come back and I will talk you through it.
Geoff

 

[Jaguarcat1]

Were do you find the Sargent box mine is an Autotrail Atapaho

 

[donkey]

Sargent are the company that supply many manufacturers with electronic equipment, such as Battery chargers, control panels and power supply modules etc.
If you locate the main power supply box it will clearly state who made it.

Geoff

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[autorouter]

This is probably no help, but I'd be looking to try a (temporary) direct supply to the step power input - from the leisure battery or a spare battery. If that gives it a burst of enthusiasm then the problem is in the supply - the relay, fuse or wiring. If it's just as unenthusiastic as before, then at least you know it's the step not the supply.

 

[Diabalo]

Just remembered on some Sargent systems there was a problem with a defective poly-fuse in the PSU that had something to do with the step not working correctly, if I remember correctly Jaws flagged it up.

I have just put in resources the guide for replacing the poly fuse that can effect step operation, it's normally only on Sargent EC4xx and EC500 units between 2010-2011

 

[Diabalo]

Were do you find the Sargent box mine is an Autotrail Atapaho

It's the main PSU the EC4xx or EC5xx the big silver box with the fuses and trips

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[Jaguarcat1]

This is probably no help, but I'd be looking to try a (temporary) direct supply to the step power input - from the leisure battery or a spare battery. If that gives it a burst of enthusiasm then the problem is in the supply - the relay, fuse or wiring. If it's just as unenthusiastic as before, then at least you know it's the step not the supply

 

[Jaguarcat1]

Hi I have already taken the step off and tried it on a battery and its fine I just don't know where the relay or power comes from the wires for the step are all under the fridge then dissappear up behind it

 

[autorouter]

I just don't know where the relay or power comes from the wires for the step are all under the fridge then dissappear up behind it

As Diabalo says, the relay will be powered from the distribution/fuse box. Inside the box are several relays which control various things - split charge relay, fridge, habitation, step, awning light etc. These boxes are all similar but have some differences, so it would help to know exactly which model you have

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[Rob99]

Final Update.
After putting it off for a few months i decided to have a look at the motor. Hard to remove on my step due to the guard bracket surrounding the step assembly and stoping access from my tools. So took the lot off and removed the motor and took it apart. as quite a few others have experienced - STRIPPED GEARS as shown in previos pictures from Diabolo.
The gears cant be replaced so had to buy a new motor from ebay and connect up in the same way.
Motor retails at >£200 from Thule dealers. so £60 quid felt cheap. Any guesses what this would have cost if i had put it in the motorhome dealer to be sorted?