Omni step query

greylag

The Omni step on the van has just started to misbehave.  I thought I heard something that raised my awareness and yesterday it wouldn't go back in without a touch from my foot.

Today it would only go in an inch at a time, every time I touched the button, in an inch.  Can someone enlighten me about a possible repair, otherwise it will be a call to the engineer.

Thank you

JVB66

Try some WD40 on it

Tinwheeler

And try cleaning the micro switch underneath. They’re notorious for getting bunged up with road muck. Also, check you have no stones trapped in the mechanism.

greylag

Thanks will try.

greylag

Tried WD40 and still not working.

Fiddling with the push button switch, I can hear something around the switch area and am thinking it may be the operating switch that is the problem.

I suppose I could detach the wires from the switch and touch together and see if the step operates...not that I am an electrical wizard.

I have attached a picture of the switch, has anyone any idea of the manufacturer can't see any name on it.

Thanks for any help.

Tinwheeler

See my earlier post. It’s unlikely to be the operating switch in the van, although not impossible, as it sounds as if it is operating. I think you need to have a good poke around under the van where the mechanism and micro switch get gunged up with road grime.

There are lots of hits on Google coming up with various solutions.

greylag

Tinwheeler....many thanks, looks as though I will have to get down and dirty.

Up on ramps tomorrow then.

Appreciate your help.

huskydog

Armed with a can of electrical contact cleaner 

Tinwheeler

You’re welcome but you won’t thank me if you subsequently find the fault is elsewhere. 

mickysf

Having had a similar problem I'd go for that micro switch as the culprit.

greylag

Hmmmm!

greylag

Just plugged van in, in readiness for tomorrow and the control panel says 'not connected to mains supply'.  It is,  because everything is working, 240v lights and fridge.  Checking the control panel battery condition and vehicle 12v good, leisure battery 10v and poor.

Wonder if this is the step problem.

Now why is the mains supply not showing?

Motorhomes are sent to try our patience, always something to be tweaked and fixed.  Not complaining because we love the van, just wish I knew more technical stuff.l

greylag

I am not one to count chickens Ect!

Just been busy pulling any fuse that looked like it might have something to do with it all.

Thought I would look at leisure battery and went to top box which houses more fuses, also store for key to battery locker.  As I was looking at the array of fuses, I looked up and saw the main on/off switch to power supply was in the off position.

Service engineer who did the recent habitation service had left it in off position and being very observant I had not noticed it.

I know you may well be saying, 'What a twit' but I am mightily relieved.

I know I am tempting fate, but I think this might be the problem solved.

Thanks for your advice

Tinwheeler

Do you know, I was about to reply suggesting you check the on/off switch when I saw your last post.

Technicians, eh!

greylag

Yes....but he was a good one....so no blame there.

Thanks again.

mickysf

You're welcome Greylag, I'm pleased we could be of help!

greylag

In the end I gave in as it was still playing up and was beyond my knowledge.

I was directed to an engineer, who was known to be a bit of a dab hand.

He searched for 2 hours and eventually found a problem in an electrical module.  He transferred one from another Autotrail and it worked perfectly.  So they ordered one for me and it worked perfectly when I picked it up.....away this weekend, hope it continues.

Price to fix....reasonable considering he spent 2 hours on it.

lornalou1

if your leisure battery has gone down to 10v then some damage might have been done to it. get it checked.

greylag

Good idea!