Step well lights not working 2006 Diplomat

[Admirial RVr]

Been trying to get my step well lights working. So far I have checked the switch and I believe its ok. Had 51-53 Ohms  across top two pins ( position 7&8 ) and the 2 ground jumpers both check ok with continuity and its light flashes when battery is turned on. Bulb worked ok checked them direct on battery.

Have been tracing Red and Black wires from the lights and they  eventually go into a large bundle of wires that go toward the main electrical panel under drivers side.  All fuses check ok. 

 I had no voltage on red and black wires  anywhere.  While tracing I did another check to a new ground position and had 12V on the red wire. 

Is the Black wire going to ground in the panel on drivers side? Not sure where the ground is or where to look next.  Checked chassie ground checks ok. 

Don T.

Admiral RVr   2006 Diplomat DST

[merkur89xr4tiride]

1. Sounds like you have the switch out so you can test the terminals on back.  If there is a red wire on the switch have you tested that red wire to a known good ground (not a black wire to the switch but a good ground).  Should have voltage there.  

[Onthego]

Does your porch lite come on ? 

No 12 volts normal would = bad fuse or wire. 

The 53 ohm may be the light bulb in the switch. If you are looking at a fuse and it looks good I would check using a meter or just replace it. 

Run a ohm test on the wires between the switch and lights in the step area. 

[Admirial RVr]

Just tested to known ground ( Jumpered to entry step ground ) No 12V. While checking further I do have 12 V to the switch from the main supply. 

Additional Info: I should have said this is the 4 gang switch panel on Passenger side arm rest area. 

Don T.

[Admirial RVr]

All other functions on all switches work normal. Seperate location but Porch light and Map light are ok. 

Wire positions on step light switch:

Looking at print ( Google search) : shows Black wire step light ground position 2 ,  white wire  step ground  position 3  ,  Position 7 white wire Ground   and 12 Volt Power  orange wire position 8 .

Is one  ground ON and the other  OFF. I did a continuity test and it does change with on , off position . Note on Print Step Lights are Active Low. Not sure what this means.

Don T.

[Onthego]

Sound like a broken wire between switch and step lights . Just a gust, wires near the butt connector in the plastic slave cover one is broken.

[Bob Nodine]

17 hours ago, Admirial RVr said:

All other functions on all switches work normal. Seperate location but Porch light and Map light are ok. 

Wire positions on step light switch:

Looking at print ( Google search) : shows Black wire step light ground position 2 ,  white wire  step ground  position 3  ,  Position 7 white wire Ground   and 12 Volt Power  orange wire position 8 .

Is one  ground ON and the other  OFF. I did a continuity test and it does change with on , off position . Note on Print Step Lights are Active Low. Not sure what this means.

Don T.

Don,

Active low usually means a ground will turn on the lights. For that to happen 12 Volts must be at the lamps all the time and the switch sends a ground to the other side of the lamps to turn them on. I would pull the lens cover off of the lamps in the stair well and use a meter to test if 12 volts is present at one side of the lamps. If it is then use a length of wire to apply ground to the other side of one of the lamps. That should turn all the lamps on. If that happens then either a bad connection exists between the lamps and the switch or the switch is bad. I know you checked the switch but in my experience that is the most likely failure. I would swap the switch with another like switch and see what happens. Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. Just saying.

Bob

 

[Dennis H]

When did Monaco change to black wires for a ground? On mine, all grounds are white wires. Regardless, there is a fuse in the P/S armrest for the step lights. Have you located and checked that fuse.?? It's one of the hidden ones....Dennis

My mistake, sorry. That fuse is for the entry step. I was going off the fuse location sheet instead of the wiring diagrams. Disregard the fuse comment...Dennis

Edited March 29, 2020 by Executive45
Correction

[Admirial RVr]

Bob,

I do have 12v constant at the  Lamps and they do come on when a new ground is applied. Doing this takes the switch out of the circut I guess (no on off).

Now I need to trace that wire to find the reason for not working. It might be easier to just run a new wire. 

Thanks, Don T.

Dennis,

Your right all other grounds are white. I am definitely not an electrician but Bob Nodine explains how it works.

Thanks,

Don T.

[jfbolkovatz]

Dennis,

Many circuits are switched with a ground. The item is wired to a hot bus and the ground goes to a switch and then ground. I'd rewire a new ground to the switch.

JoeB 03 Exec