Lippert Components Kwikee User manual

Kwikee® Electric Step
OEM INSTALLATION MANUAL

Rev: 09.11.19 Page 2 CCD-0002616
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 2
Safety 2
Resources Required 3
Installation 3
Wiring Diagram For 5
Step with Control Unit 5
Wiring Diagram For Optional Porch Light 5
Operation 6
Step with Control Unit 6
Troubleshooting 7
Introduction
This manual provides instructions for installation of Kwikee® Electric Steps, which are equipped with a step
lockout switch, control unit and permanent magnet motor onto a motorized coach. This manual does not
apply and should not be used as a reference to previous versions of a Kwikee® Electric Step.
The control unit is a current sensor as well as a switching device. When the motor assembly moves the step
tread to its extended position, or stops moving because of an obstruction such as a curb or the binding of a
damaged or bent step frame, the motor draws a larger amount of current. The control unit senses the larger
current draw and shuts off the power to the motor.
Control units are equipped with an ignition override system. This system is designed so the vehicle will
not be driven with the step in the extended position. When the step is locked in the extended position,
the door closed, and the ignition is turned on, the ignition override system will engage and the step will
automatically retract.
The Auto Extend feature is another safety feature designed to extend the step when the door is opened for
the first time after the vehicle ignition is turned off, regardless of the position of the step switch.
Safety
Read and study the manual before operating the steps. Adhere to all safety labels.
This manual provides general instructions. Many variables can change the circumstances of the instructions,
i.e., the degree of difficulty, operation and ability of the individual performing the instructions. This
manual cannot begin to plot out instructions for every possibility, but provides the general instructions,
as necessary, for effectively interfacing with the device, product or system. Failure to correctly follow the
provided instructions may result in death, serious personal injury, severe product and/or property damage.
The “WARNING” symbol above is a sign that a procedure has a safety risk involved and may cause
death or serious personal injury if not performed safely and within the parameters set forth in
this manual.
Failure to follow instructions provided in this manual may result in death, serious personal injury
and/or severe product and property damage, including voiding of the component warranty.
The “CAUTION” symbol above is a sign that a safety risk is involved and may cause personal injury
and/or product or property damage if not safely adhered to and within the parameters set forth
in this manual.

Rev: 09.11.19 Page 3 CCD-0002616
• Cordless or electric drill or screw gun
• Four ⁄" bolts, Grade 5 minimum; length
determined by application
• Eight flat washers
• Four locknuts
Installation
1. Use a 12V power source to extend the steps in order to access the mounting holes in the top plate of
the step.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
A
Resources Required
A
2. Place steps under the pre-drilled holes in the chassis (Fig. 1A).
3. Install fasteners in the steps, including one in each corner. Place a washer between the bolt head and
mounting location (Fig. 2A) and another washer on the other side of the mounting location next to
the locknut.
4. Firmly tighten the fasteners.
Moving parts can pinch, crush or cut. Keep clear and use caution.
Always wear eye protection when performing service, maintenance or installation procedures.
Other safety equipment to consider would be hearing protection, gloves and possibly a full face
shield, depending on the nature of the task.
Stand to the side of the step during this operation to avoid the moving parts.

Rev: 09.11.19 Page 4 CCD-0002616
Black
Large magnetic
reed switch
Black
Small magnetic
reed switch
Door
Magnet
6"
minimum
5. Connect harness to step wires (Fig. 3).
6. Install ground wire to chassis (Fig. 4). The ground wire should be located so that wires will not need to
be cut if the step is removed.
NOTE: The remaining purple wire is for an optional porch light (Fig. 5). See Wiring Diagram for Optional Light.
Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5
Fig. 6 Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Latch Side
Step Switch
7. Install magnetic switch on the latch side of the door frame, with the magnet on the door (Fig. 6).
8. Connect wires from the step switch to the battery disconnect switch (Fig. 7). See Wiring Diagram for
Step With Control Unit.
NOTE: Appearance of switches may vary depending on OEM.
9. Install warning sticker in a visible location on the inside of the door (Fig. 8). The yellow warning sticker
reads: "This vehicle is equipped with a Kwikee automatic electric step. Turning the ignition switch to
the "ON" position while the vehicle is parked will cause the step to retract. Visually confirm that the
step is fully extended prior to exiting the vehicle. BE SAFE - LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!"
Step control wiring is only to be used for step and step light (provided with the step) functions. Do
not splice, cut or tap into any of the step wiring. Failure to heed this warning may result in voiding of
the warranty and/or failure of the step control, which may result in the loss of step function or re in
the step control.

Rev: 09.11.19 Page 5 CCD-0002616
Wiring Diagram for
Step with Control Unit
Vehicle Wiring
Motor
assembly
Understep light
(not available on
all step models)
12 AWG green
ground to step top
Control unit
(black)
Four-way
connector
16 AWG brown
16 AWG yellow
12 AWG red
16 AWG white
Step
Switch
Chassis ground
Normally OPEN
magnetic door switch
20-25 amp fuse or
Battery
disconnect
box/switch
IMPORTANT:
If the switch is
'OFF' the step
will not
operate.
Chassis
ground
1
2
v
o
lt
D
C
b
a
tt
e
r
y
Fuse block
IMPORTANT:
The yellow wire must go to a
terminal marked IGN (ignition)
or to another terminal that is hot
when the ignition is turned on.
Two-way
connector
12 AWG green ground wire
must be securely attached to
the chassis for step to operate
16 AWG purple
optional step light switch
may be connected to porch
5-6 amp maximum fuse or
circuit breaker required
5-6 amp maximum fuse or
circuit breaker (not supplied)
circuit breaker required
Battery disconnect
box/switch
IMPORTANT: If the
switch is 'OFF' the
light will not operate.
Porch light switch Step Light
Control Unit
Butt connector
Porch light
To Battery
Purple wire
from Control Unit
Alternate
fuse location
Fuse location
1 amp max
or circuit breaker required
(not supplied)
Wiring Diagram for Optional Porch Light
light switch

Rev: 09.11.19 Page 6 CCD-0002616
Step with Control Unit
1. After the installation is complete and with the entrance door open, turn the step override switch to the
off position.
NOTE: Some steps are not equipped with a step override switch. They are activated only with a door switch.
2. Close the door. The step should retract and lock in the up position. If equipped with an under-step
light, the light will be off.
3. Open the door. The step should extend and lock in the down position. If equipped with the under-step
light, the light will be on.
If so equipped, the under-step light operation is as follows: The light is on when the step is extended and
the light is off when the step is retracted.
NOTE: In the event the coach door/screen door is left open, the light will turn off after five minutes.
4. If the step is equipped with a step override switch, turn it to the on position. The step should remain in
the extended position with the under-step light off when the door is closed.
5. With the step override switch turned on, the step extended and the entrance door closed, turn the
vehicle ignition on. The ignition override system will go into effect and the steps will automatically
retract.
NOTE: If the yellow wire from the four-way connector is not connected to an ignition power source, the
ignition safety system will be inoperative and the step will remain in the extended position. In this
case, the step override switch MUST be turned off for the step to retract.
6. Turn the vehicle ignition off and open the door. The step will extend and lock in the down position.
This is the Auto Extend feature. When the vehicle ignition is turned on, the step will activate with the
door movement, regardless of the step override switch position.
Operation
Stepping on a partially extended step may cause damage to the step frame. Do not use the step
until the step is fully extended.
If the vehicle is driven with the step in the extended position, product and/or property damage may occur.

Rev: 09.11.19 Page 7 CCD-0002616
Troubleshooting
If the power wire to the step is disconnected from its source and then reconnected, a spark is common. This
is caused by the momentary charging of the control unit and does not necessarily indicate the system is
staying on, which would cause a drain on the battery.
Make sure that all ground connections are securely fastened with good metal-to-metal contact. A good
ground is required for proper step operation.
If battery drain is suspected, observe the under-step light, if so equipped, while the step is extending. The
override step switch must be off for the under-step light to operate.
To determine if a control unit is not shutting off, which would also cause a drain on the battery:
1. Remove the four-way connector to the chassis and the two-way connector between the step motor
and the control unit. See Wiring Diagram for Step With Control Unit.
2. Place a voltmeter between the red and yellow motor wires at the two-way connector from the control
unit. Reconnect the four-way connector.
3. Turn the step override switch on. If any voltage registers on the voltmeter for more than five seconds,
the control unit is not shutting off and may be defective.
NOTE: When doing this test, switch the voltmeter leads back and forth between the red and yellow motor
wires to make sure no voltage registers.
4. If any voltage does register, disconnect the four-way connector to keep the step motor from
overheating.
5. If no voltage is present, the control unit has shut off and is normal.
If the step assembly does not work or operates erratically, such as extending only part way and then
shutting off, the first item that should be checked is the vehicle's battery. Low supply voltage may cause
erratic operation of the step. Poor ground connections may also cause erratic operation of the step
assembly. Check battery voltage and condition.
A battery in good condition that is properly charged will have a voltage reading of approximately 12.6
volts with no load. Check the voltage at the battery and then also at the four-way connector located on the
control unit. Make sure that all battery and step control unit connections are clean and secured. Recharge or
replace the battery as necessary, and then retest the step for proper operation.
The step assembly may also operate erratically if the step is being operated directly from a converter, where
the output from the converter is not adequate or properly filtered for a clean DC voltage. The converter
must be capable of producing a minimum of 30 amps for proper step assembly operation.
If the ground to the control unit is lost, either between the step control unit and the vehicle chassis (the long
green ground wire) or between the vehicle battery and the ground (negative battery cable), the step will not
function. Make sure the battery terminals and all wire connections are clean and tight. Verify that all wires
meet the minimum requirements. See Wiring Diagram for Step With Control Unit.
Keep ngers, arms, and legs clear of step mechanism while performing these tests.
The 12V DC automotive battery contains sulfuric acid which can cause severe burns. Avoid contact
with the skin, eyes and clothing. The automotive battery also produces hydrogen gas which is
explosive. Keep cigarettes, open ames and sparks away from the battery at all times.

The contents of this manual are proprietary and copyright protected by Lippert Components, Inc. (“LCI”).
LCI prohibits the copying or dissemination of portions of this manual unless prior written consent from an
authorized LCI representative has been provided. Any unauthorized use shall void any applicable warranty.
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and at the sole discretion of LCI.
Revised editions are available for free download from lci1.com.
Please recycle all obsolete materials.
For all concerns or questions, please contact
Lippert Components, Inc.
Ph: [phone] | Web: lci1.com | Email: [email protected]