Replacing a step switch

If I wanted to do a direct replacement for the switch for the sliding step ( it’s the circular type push in switch, not the rocker type) is it simply a case of taking the cover off, unscrewing it, then disconnecting the wires and replacing like for like with the new replacement switch.  Or is this something best left to an electrician and/or and expert.

Also, should I remove the fuse to prevent any shocks, physically AND mentally.

Thanks in advance
Sally

Sorry Sally, I've never done it.

Sally

Dead easy.

Remove switch, hang onto the wires so that they do not disappear into the wall cavity. Unscrew terminals to release the wires, replace with new push-button switch.

There is no shock risk as you are working on a 12 volt system. However if you want to avoid all risk of fuse blowing, remove fuse (if your Sussex is like our Duo, the fuse is in the unit behind the driver's seat).

If you do not remove the fuse, the worst that can happen if the two wires touch, is that the step will come out and or, go in

5 minutes max from start to finish.

EDIT If the original push-button switch is a bit sticky and not coming out fully after being pressed, all you need is a squirt of Thetford maintenance spray to free it up (you could also try WD 40, or similar). I have had this switch go sticky and all it needed was lube.

Spospe wrote:Sally

Dead easy.

Remove switch, hang onto the wires so that they do not disappear into the wall cavity. Unscrew terminals to release the wires, replace with new push-button switch.

There is no shock risk as you are working on a 12 volt system. However if you want to avoid all risk of fuse blowing, remove fuse (if your Sussex is like our Duo, the fuse is in the unit behind the driver's seat).

If you do not remove the fuse, the worst that can happen if the two wires touch, is that the step will come out and or, go in

5 minutes max from start to finish.

EDIT If the original push-button switch is a bit sticky and not coming out fully after being pressed, all you need is a squirt of Thetford maintenance spray to free it up (you could also try WD 40, or similar). I have had this switch go sticky and all it needed was lube.

I must admit I was hoping it would be as easy as that.  I’ve always changed light switches at home (for fashion, plastic to chrome etc) but wasn’t sure if the van would be the same process.

The button isn’t sticky, but it’s played up before, as in I’ve pressed it and nothing happened and had to press again.  So I’m reasonably confident that it’s the switch that’s gone.  The fuse is definitely okay.  The problem is that the step no longer operates at all when the button is pressed.

I’ll give Autosleepers a ring to make sure I get the right switch then give it a go at some point.

Thank you for your help.

Sally

Paulmold wrote:Sorry Sally, I've never done it.

You’ve helped me lots over a few years Paul, you can’t be expected to have done everything 

Sally,

From your description of the switch it sounds like the one we have for the step, which is from the CBE range of switch and socket plates used widely by AS and other converters. In which case it’s the switch shown in the link below. 

CBE plates have an inner frame, into which the switch or socket is fixed, and an outer frame or surround for decorative finish. The latter has a screwdriver slot on its outer edge and pops off easily with a twist of the blade, revealing the fixing screws for the inner frame. Once you’ve removed that you can get to the switch fixing screws and remove those to release the switch itself. It sounds involved but the CBE products are easy to work with.

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Tim

Kemerton-bath wrote:Sally,

From your description of the switch it sounds like the one we have for the step, which is from the CBE range of switch and socket plates used widely by AS and other converters. In which case it’s the switch shown in the link below. 

CBE plates have an inner frame, into which the switch or socket is fixed, and an outer frame or surround for decorative finish. The latter has a screwdriver slot on its outer edge and pops off easily with a twist of the blade, revealing the fixing screws for the inner frame. Once you’ve removed that you can get to the switch fixing screws and remove those to release the switch itself. It sounds involved but the CBE products are easy to work with.

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Tim

Hi Tim - yes, it looks like that. Although on mine, the switch central bit never sticks out from the face. It’s always flush. I pushed it inwards (and it returns flush) to operate the step either in or out. 

The one in the link shows it sticking out, so not sure it’s identical.  However, I’m not really into switches as you can tell, my knowledge of them is somewhat limited. 

I’ll certainly check them out though. Perhaps the switch in my van has never actually operated correctly. 

Sally

Sally, I checked our switch this morning and it's just as you describe on yours with the button flush to the surround. Ours is definitely a CBE switch, as it's one of a cluster of CBE switches and a 13A socket as shown in the picture below. I've also shown the rear of the switch (circled); its technical term is a "momentary push switch" as the contacts are only closed momentarily on pushing the button, rather than being latched on or off.  

I agree the switch advertised by Magnum looks different, but I've gone through the CBE product range (it's a wet morning and sadly I'm into switches) and there's nothing else, so maybe it supersedes the version on our vans.  Magnum may be able to confirm or deny if AS can't help you, or alternatively you could try this place, that advertises itself as the UK's CBE centre (though in fact it's just another motorhome parts centre) ... 

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Tim



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Have a look here on the AS parts catalog shows 2 different step switches 


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Tim and Chris - I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The help offered on here, with no personal gain or vested interests other than a desire to help, is unparalleled.  I always appreciate the help and advice given. 

Thank you both for those comments. A picture certainly paints a thousands words. 

Sally

You're very welcome Sally, my research was a pleasant way to spend some time this morning.  The "old style switch" on page 18 of Chris's parts list looks to be the one that is fitted to our van ... and maybe yours. It has the same cut-outs on the top, bottom and side edges, which marks it out as a CBE switch. The cut-outs match the profile of the inner frame I referred to above. You'll see that the switch on the Magnum website has the same cut-outs, so in my view their switch is same as mine, despite the different button profile.  They describe it as a "Switch that only operates when pressed and held", which is another way of describing a momentary push switch. If I was in your position I'd take a punt and buy the Magnum switch, although I'd test the old switch first with a multimeter, which I appreciate not everyone has access to.

Chris - that's a great find, I wasn't aware of its existence.  Interesting to see what is (and isn't) included. I would imagine that once some of these items have been sold out they won't appear again, for example Lumo light fittings.

Tim

Kemerton-bath wrote:You're very welcome Sally, my research was a pleasant way to spend some time this morning.  The "old style switch" on page 18 of Chris's parts list looks to be the one that is fitted to our van ... and maybe yours. It has the same cut-outs on the top, bottom and side edges, which marks it out as a CBE switch. The cut-outs match the profile of the inner frame I referred to above. You'll see that the switch on the Magnum website has the same cut-outs, so in my view their switch is same as mine, despite the different button profile.  They describe it as a "Switch that only operates when pressed and held", which is another way of describing a momentary push switch. If I was in your position I'd take a punt and buy the Magnum switch, although I'd test the old switch first with a multimeter, which I appreciate not everyone has access to.

Chris - that's a great find, I wasn't aware of its existence.  Interesting to see what is (and isn't) included. I would imagine that once some of these items have been sold out they won't appear again, for example Lumo light fittings.

Tim

Sadly I haven’t got a multimeter but even worse, I wouldn’t know how to test a switch with it if I had

Before changing the switch it would be worth trying a squirt of Switch Cleaner in it. Aerosol cans of this stuff are available in places such as Halfords. I've revived many a dodgy switch with it. I definitely don't recommend you use WD40 in switches as it's actually intended to be used as an insulating barrier; we used to spray the distributor caps of old minis with it to stop water from shorting out the HT leads.

A good squirt of switch cleaner is often all it needs to flush dirt and dust off the contacts and restore a switch to working order - a lot easier than changing the switch.

Sally every day is a school day there would be plenty on this forum that will soon help .Tims picture has done the hard bit showing the back of the switch can you see the two wires going to the back of the switch in your van

glyne lock wrote:Sally every day is a school day there would be plenty on this forum that will soon help .Tims picture has done the hard bit showing the back of the switch can you see the two wires going to the back of the switch in your van

Hi - at the moment I haven’t taken the switch out, so I haven’t seen any wires at the back of it. I’ve taken the cover off to check it came off easily (it did) and as far as I remember there were then 2 screws visible, at 9oclock and 3 o’clock positions. But that’s only from memory.

I replaced the step switch for our Rienza with a CBE switch from Magnum. It wasn’t fitted by me but was changed during the habitation service as part of a repair when the step wiring was damaged.

Having looked at the switch in the van, it is indeed a CBE switch.

I got in touch with Magnum and spoke to a very nice man.  He looked at the switch and confirmed that it always protrudes, but he said that you have to hold it in to complete the action, not just press once and let go.

So I contacted Autosleeper, to purchase the original.  Despite 6 phone calls (SIX), including speaking twice to reception, plus contact by social media, plus contact by the online spares request, I’m still waiting for someone to contact me.

It’s a rum do when you can’t spend your money.

Sally wrote:He looked at the switch and confirmed that it always protrudes, but he said that you have to hold it in to complete the action, not just press once and let go.

Sally, my switch is just a normal push switch, like a doorbell, so just a brief push is all I need to extend and retract the step. If you need to hold the switch pressed, your setup is different to mine.

What did you have to do with your existing switch before it failed? If just a brief push was all that was needed, then that is all you will need from a replacement.

Sorry to miss inform you Sally.Youre switch is different to the one on our Rienza. It is a rocker switch. Press the top to extend the step. Press the bottom to retract the step. 
I agree it’s frustrating that you can’t find a switch especially when you are willing to pay. There must be a part number some were at Autosleepers for them to order the parts before building the van. Even if they don’t have a switch you could do a general search for a supplier.
If. it is a CBE switch maybe contacting them will produce a part number.

Spospe wrote:

Sally wrote:He looked at the switch and confirmed that it always protrudes, but he said that you have to hold it in to complete the action, not just press once and let go.

Sally, my switch is just a normal push switch, like a doorbell, so just a brief push is all I need to extend and retract the step. If you need to hold the switch pressed, your setup is different to mine.

What did you have to do with your existing switch before it failed? If just a brief push was all that was needed, then that is all you will need from a replacement.

On mine, before it failed, I pressed it in once and released it, and the step extended. Then I pressed it in again and released it and the step retracted.  It retracted automatically on starting the engine.

Obviously I’m not sure if that is what it was meant to do.  But it’s worked like that for a couple of years, then just stopped working.

Mines exactly the same. It may of course only need some contact cleaner spray before you actually replace it.

Dave 418 wrote:Sorry to miss inform you Sally.Youre switch is different to the one on our Rienza. It is a rocker switch. Press the top to extend the step. Press the bottom to retract the step. 
I agree it’s frustrating that you can’t find a switch especially when you are willing to pay. There must be a part number some were at Autosleepers for them to order the parts before building the van. Even if they don’t have a switch you could do a general search for a supplier.
If. it is a CBE switch maybe contacting them will produce a part number.

Autosleepers have the switch (well it’s shown in the parts catalogue) but I simply can’t get a response from the parts department.  There’s no answer to the phone ringing the parts department direct throughout the day (numerous times).  I tried reception twice, but she just put me through to the parts department and again, no answer.  Then I tried on social media but they just advised me to order online.  So I’ve done so, signed up with email etc., but still no response.

I do understand how they can be busy, but surely someone somewhere should be able to help a customer spend money.  Perhaps it’s me, am I expecting too much.

Paulmold wrote:Mines exactly the same. It may of course only need some contact cleaner spray before you actually replace it.

Yes, that’s step 1.  The replacement switch is step 2.  I’m assuming I just take the switch out, spray the contact spray all over and replace.

At least I know that it was originally working as it should be.

Sally, just to dot the I's and cross the T's. My present day step works exactly like yours and Paul Mold's.

Press to extend.

Press to retract

Retract on engine start

All you need is a simple bell-push type of switch

I suspect that a quick clean and a squirt of WD 40, or Thetford toilet maintenance spray will fix the switch for you. If the push button is not coming out flush with the surround, it is sticking a bit, due to plastic on plastic friction, then all you will need is a spot of plastic lube (the above mentioned WD 40 or Thetford spray)

Sally I have just sent you a pm