the accomadation step is electric,works manually,but is supposed to be auto rehoused when engine switched on.cant find a use or anything.any ideas please.

The auto retract function is provided by the D+ output of the alternator. This output senses when the engine is running and the motorhome DC control system uses it to parallel the habitation battery and cab battery so that the habitation battery is charging whilst driving and to provide 12v to the fridge.
When the engine is stopped the D+ signal is 'removed' and breaks the connections above plus the DC system retracts the step and drops the sat dish if fitted.
If the habitation battery is charging and the fridge is working then the D+ signal is probably OK. I would suspect the step switch which is under the floor and subject the rain and dirt.

Depending on the installed low voltage control panel, the step activation relay may be intergrated within the control box / charger unit. The D+ signal (as the last poster discussed) activates the step relay amongst things and you're best bet is to get hold of a wiring diagram for your MH which will point you in the right direction as to its location. There well may be a designated fuse protecting the step motor which is worthwhile checking out after you have found it!

funnily enough I have the same question on my Autotrail 650SE..There is a manual switch inside the cabin, but should the step retract automatically when the engine is started??

Olympus said:

funnily enough I have the same question on my Autotrail 650SE..There is a manual switch inside the cabin, but should the step retract automatically when the engine is started??

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On my Autotrail 696G SE (2006 Ducato) the step retracts automatically (with warning bleep) when the engine is started.

If your van is pre X250 it is likely to be the same arrangement for the step.

I recently had the same problem & after puzzling over the wiring diagrams found it was just a sticky limit switch on the side of the step (under a protective cover)

Cleaning this up sorted the fault.

Thanks for the response Crossingkeeper, I'll have to apologise for my ignorance when you say pre x250...I haven't yet got my head around all the models variants & prefixes
Mine is a 2003 facelift model I believe with a 2.8JTD engine.

Olympus said:

Thanks for the response Crossingkeeper, I'll have to apologise for my ignorance when you say pre x250...I haven't yet got my head around all the models variants & prefixes
Mine is a 2003 facelift model I believe with a 2.8JTD engine.

Click to expand...

The X250, introduced in 2007, is the current model and quite radically different to the previous 244.

Yours is the same as mine so I guess the fault may also be the same. The switch is under a plastic housing on the left (leading) side of the step assembly.

I finish for Christmas tomorrow, so I plan to have a serious look at the set up on Saturday