2008 View Steps won't extend

[john fran]

My steps on my 2008 View don't extend when I open the coach door .
I removed the coach batteries when I put the MH in storage .
Would that cause the steps to not function.
Is there a fuse / breaker for the steps ?
I havent got under it to get a closer look .
Any feedback is welcome.
John

 

[Morich]

One place to start is easy, but then it gets really , really fussy about what we have and how to test as these steps seems so simple but are actually a real brain twister if we don't dig in and follow a straight path.
How ever we do get some really good stuff to look over.
First step if the RV is new to you, check that you are not missing some small item like brake on, etc. that can change the operation. Easy to get busy and forget some part of the routine, so double checking can avoid an afternoon of dirty work!

There is also likely to be a small switch mounted near the entry door bottom at the side. This seems to be a space that gets knocked around too much and the wires can get broken or the small reed inside the switch can get distorted and stop opening/closing when the door moves. easy to take a look there as a first stop?
Good idea to check it opens/closes if a meter is on hand! It's magnetic, so puts metal close moves the connection inside.

For fuses, you should have a panel on the outer side of the passenger seat.
Maybe look for this and check the three fuses I noted ?

But if no good on that, it can get really tricky and the only way I can go is following the manual.
This is a manual from 2005, so possibly the correct one for your steps?

https://www.rvtechlibrary.com/exterior/kwikee_svc_manual.pdf

The first 7-8 pages are things to know like what series and where to find the ID info. That can seem like a drag but if you don't start with the right item, it is likely to turn into a train wreck. Best to go slow and follow the manual to get to the right section for the steps you have!
One note is that we need to make sure we get good battery to the controls as they use all kinds of electronics to tell when to move/not move!

Lots and lots of good info but it can be a trek to sort. my first tries on steps left me thinking I do NOT know enough to figure how and what it does. Certainly far more complex that I expected and not just an open/close type circuit!


But maybe you get an easy one and never have to read the whole 75 pages?
Wish you luck on that!

 

[john fran]

One place to start is easy, but then it gets really , really fussy about what we have and how to test as these steps seems so simple but are actually a real brain twister if we don't dig in and follow a straight path.
How ever we do get some really good stuff to look over.
First step if the RV is new to you, check that you are not missing some small item like brake on, etc. that can change the operation. Easy to get busy and forget some part of the routine, so double checking can avoid an afternoon of dirty work!

There is also likely to be a small switch mounted near the entry door bottom at the side. This seems to be a space that gets knocked around too much and the wires can get broken or the small reed inside the switch can get distorted and stop opening/closing when the door moves. easy to take a look there as a first stop?
Good idea to check it opens/closes if a meter is on hand! It's magnetic, so puts metal close moves the connection inside.

For fuses, you should have a panel on the outer side of the passenger seat.
Maybe look for this and check the three fuses I noted ?
View attachment 1939447

But if no good on that, it can get really tricky and the only way I can go is following the manual.
This is a manual from 2005, so possibly the correct one for your steps?

https://www.rvtechlibrary.com/exterior/kwikee_svc_manual.pdf

The first 7-8 pages are things to know like what series and where to find the ID info. That can seem like a drag but if you don't start with the right item, it is likely to turn into a train wreck. Best to go slow and follow the manual to get to the right section for the steps you have!
One note is that we need to make sure we get good battery to the controls as they use all kinds of electronics to tell when to move/not move!

Lots and lots of good info but it can be a trek to sort. my first tries on steps left me thinking I do NOT know enough to figure how and what it does. Certainly far more complex that I expected and not just an open/close type circuit!


But maybe you get an easy one and never have to read the whole 75 pages?
Wish you luck on that!

Morich , Thank You ..
The info you provided will get me off to a good start .
John M

 

[john fran]

Will my steps still function eventhough the 2 coach batteries have been removed ?
I can't seem to find any info on that issue .

 

[Morich]

Can't spot a definite answer but I might lean toward saying yes.
Kind of uncertain as I'm not finding direct info on the online drawings but that part if not really clear.
A simple test that might tell you if that is the problem?
I think pushing the dash switch labeled boost or Aux may tell you something. That dash switch is used to connect the coach and chassis batteries together when we want get a "jump start' for a weak chassis/start battery.
That seems it would then place the chassis battery inline to provide power where the coach batteries are missing!
Bit of guessing on theory but might be an easy way to gain info by holding that button and see if the step then works using power from the chassis battery to fill in for the missing coach side??

 

[john fran]

Can the steps on my 2008 View be extended manually ?
If I understand correctly ,they need to be extended to acess the drive motor . Is that correct ?
How do I do a manual extend ?

 

[RayIN]

Will my steps still function eventhough the 2 coach batteries have been removed ?
I can't seem to find any info on that issue .

They are normally connected to the chassis batteries, and are always "hot", there is no off/on switch.
As to the steps not extending, check the switch near the door that you move to keep them out when parked. At any rate, regardless of that switch position, the steps should extend when the ignition is turned on.
Don't forget the other half of the 12V wiring, the ground connections.
Keep this handy for troubleshooting: Kwikee Products Service Training Manual
No there is no manual operation. The only method is to remove the pivot pin from the swing arm, and that has complications. I suggest you extend the steps, then disconnect their hot wire from the chassis batteries. The also eliminates unwanted movement when your hands are busy with the wiring or mechanism.

 

[Morich]

Double down on the idea of making SURE the steps don't move when working around them as they warn about cutting off fingers, etc. !
Note on going to the manuals? Both lead to the same manual, just different routes to get the same place!
But the idea is the same and point to get the real details of each series of step as there are lots of small differences in each series.
One of the bigger problems I find when first working on the steps is how much more involved they are in how they decide to open or close. Much more that expected!
One might assume the switch to turn them off would do that but you may find that it still lets them come out and bang your shins if it feels it wants to while you are standing in front of them!
My batteries were under the inside step and I wanted to keep the outside steps retracted, so added a magnet on the door sensor. That made it easier to reach and clean the batteries but it also let the steps come out when not wanted!
Finding the steps were trickier than my work around was not a good time!
But it was only a skinned shin and not a lost finger!
They are built with a plan to keep you safe and keep you from driving with the step out and it is hard to defeat on some models!

 

[EverettO]

Hey there! Not sure about your rig, but the steps on my 2007 Itasca Sunova are powered by the chassis battery. So when my chassis battery runs down, the steps will not work. Should you decide to ever replace the motor, there are reasonably cheap solutions on Amazon. Not saying this is what you need, but at you know you do not have to buy the expensive OEM variant.

 

[CABender]

Will my steps still function eventhough the 2 coach batteries have been removed ?
I can't seem to find any info on that issue .

I have a 2007 View and just removed the batteries for winter storage yesterday. I discovered that with the batteries OUT and the engine running the steps still worked.

 

[Bnystrom]

They should, as they're powered by the chassis battery, not the coach batteries. They're wired that way to make sure that the steps retract when the engine is started, so they're not open while you drive.

 

[levasseurjohn]

My steps on my 2008 View don't extend when I open the coach door .
I removed the coach batteries when I put the MH in storage .
Would that cause the steps to not function.
Is there a fuse / breaker for the steps ?
I havent got under it to get a closer look .
Any feedback is welcome.
John

My steps just stopped working. I tested the red wire on the 4 pin connector and 3.5 volts. Should be 12. Then I check the battery. Ahha... batter 3.5 volts. New battery solved the issue. Works great again.

 

[RobertToby]

This thread is from Oct 2025. Might be best to start your own thread.