Vectra Step Light question

emiddleb · 09-05-2010, 12:50 PM

Hi all,

I have an 04 Vectra and noticed something when doing some routing maint.

Under the top front of the outside door step assembly there is an orange covered 2-3" round light. It's part of the Kwikee step assembly, not part of the coach. I would have assumed it should come on when I hit the 'porch light' switch that controls the outside light, lighted handle, and interior step lights but it doesn't. Tried swapping bulbs to no effect.

Checking manuals, I've found the purple wire on the Kwikee step controller box is the power source for the step light, and on mine it's neatly coiled up and pretty obvious it has never been connected to anything .

Just curious if it's wired up on others or not. Have taken a quick glance to see if there's a way I can tap in to the wiring for the other lights but looks difficult.

Not a big deal but just curious if this is normal...

Thanks!

AFChap · 09-06-2010, 08:32 AM

The light does not come on nearly as often as I want it to. I've played some with mine, and as I recall it will come on when the door opens and the steps go out ONLY in some limited circumsances. It WILL come on if you are driving at night, and stop and open the entry door. I don't recall if it will come on when parked and the steps are set to the "IN" position, but I know for sure that it will NOT come on when parked if the steps are set to the "out" position, presumably so the light will not bring the chassis battery down (remember, the entry steps are powered by the chassis batteries rather than the house batteries).

I have considered wiring it to the porch light circuit, but haven't attempted it.

Lt46 · 09-06-2010, 09:12 AM

I tried to get that dang light to work as designed and gave up. Now it is wired to the porch light and I have total control of its on/off cycle. Much better this way.

cbeierl · 09-06-2010, 09:29 AM

I also have an unused purple wire (see pic). The light on my steps works fine--it's on whenever the steps are out and turned on. If I turn off the steps so that they don't go in/out with the door then the light goes off.

emiddleb · 09-06-2010, 09:36 AM

Thanks guys.

I bet you have it right and I'll check... 99% of the time I have the step switch set to "off" so they stay out all the time (unless the key is in the ignition.)

Chris, my wiring looks exactly like your photo. And you can see the light I was talking about in the lower left corner.

I'll check it when I get back out to the RV.

Peter, how did you wire it to the porch light? Any tips on running the wiring?

Thanks,
Ed

dengraham · 09-06-2010, 07:00 PM

Ed,
Just wanted to mention the screen door needs to be open before the light comes on. It is supposed to be like a courtesy light in a car door. You open the door, the light comes on. You often don't know it is on because it is not very bright and doesn't reflect well on grass, asphalt, concret, or stone.

Lt46 · 09-07-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emiddleb

Peter, how did you wire it to the porch light? Any tips on running the wiring?

Thanks,
Ed

emiddleb,
I simply ran a new fused hot wire (14g) from the under step light up into the stairwell where I have a floor level courtesy light. This light is activated by the porch light switch. I tapped into the wiring behind the courtesy lamp for power. The new wire was run inside plastic wire loom and wire tied out of the way of any moving parts. The step light itself grounds itself to the step framing via its mounting screws.
As said above, this light is not very bright and barely illuminates the stair tread but in my view, a little light is better than no light.

Peter

vectra96 · 09-07-2010, 07:58 AM

The step light comes on when the step goes out. It is on a timer for 15 minutes. So if you put the step out and turn off the switch, so the step stays out, the light will only light the first time. The purple wire is to wire to a porch light should you want light up higher. You can find the information in the manual for the steps, including recommended wiring for the light.

emiddleb · 09-07-2010, 08:26 AM

Thanks everyone!

Sounds like my kind of project - fair-weather, non-critical, not plumbing!

gizmo90 · 09-07-2010, 05:29 PM

I have a 04 Vectra also mine only comes on with engine running and open door

emiddleb · 09-10-2010, 06:58 PM

Thanks again. Had the opportunity to test things.

Light comes on when step switch is "on" and screen door opens and step goes out. Engine doesn't need to be running.

Thanks Vectra96. I had assumed the purple wire was power to the step light, but now understand that it's 'output' to a secondary light.

SCVJeff · 09-11-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dengraham

Ed,
Just wanted to mention the screen door needs to be open before the light comes on. It is supposed to be like a courtesy light in a car door. You open the door, the light comes on. You often don't know it is on because it is not very bright and doesn't reflect well on grass, asphalt, concret, or stone.

Not mine...
Here is the new dual LED lights I installed under there (one on each side). That's black asphalt.

Navy Flier · 09-11-2010, 10:42 AM

SCVJeff could you list some specs on your LEDs and where you purchased them?

RickO · 09-11-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCVJeff

Not mine...
Here is the new dual LED lights I installed under there (one on each side). That's black asphalt.

Very nice Jeff! I've been thinking of doing the same thing but wiring them to my lighted grab handle.

Rick

kketterling · 09-11-2010, 01:54 PM

Can some one tell me what the bulb number is for the round amber light under the step. Tested mine out and nothing worked took the lens off and found out the bulb was missing.

Thanks

SCVJeff · 09-11-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navy Flier

SCVJeff could you list some specs on your LEDs and where you purchased them?

These are LED truck side marker lights that I found at Auto Zone for ~$11.99 I think. I THINK there are 6 LED's per lamp, but don't hold me to that. I also don't remember the current draw, but it was well less than 50% of the stock lamp for both. I stuck these on with VHB, so no drilling holes either.