Saturday, September 17, 2011

Electric Step Disarm Switch

There are times when you don't want the electric step to automatically open with the door. For instance, when street curbs or other obstructions get in the way. One way to do this is to add a second switch in parallel with the door mag switch.

The door magnetic switch is a NO (Normally Open) switch. When the door is closed, the magnet which is located on the sliding door activates and closes the magnetic switch contacts thus in turn closes the circuit. Opening the sliding door deactivates the magnetic switch and the circuit opens. 

The rocker switch addition wired in parallel with the magnetic switch fools the step controller that the sliding door is in closed position thus preventing the step from extending.  

Fishing the wires where I want the new switch mounted (next to the electric step override switch) can be difficult. I removed the footwell plastic trim (passenger side) to see if I could route the wires from there, and lucky enough there was a hole opposite to where the mag switch is located. I pulled the door mag switch from the pillar and used a heavy gauge solder wire (can't find a hanger wire when I need it) to fish the wires to the opposite side of the pillar. See pictures below.

UPDATE: I just found out that you can easily access the magnetic switch wires by removing the lower sliding door stabilizer reciever plate. Just make sure to mark the exact position of the reciever plate for reinstallation.





I then run the wires around the passerger side B-pillar, I used a flathead screwdriver to lift the B-pillar plastic cover and was able to squeeze the wires inside. See picture below.

I gently pulled the edge of the door rubber gasket and run the wires up behind it. 

Wires spliced parallel to mag switch wires.




Next, using a Dremel, I made rectangular cutout on the B-pillar plastic trim, just below the original step override switch. ***WARNING*** about an inch and a half below the hole I made, there are 2 large white wires behind the plastic trim. So be careful....

I soldered a short piece of wire (with male connectors at each end) to the switch pins. The switch is tall enough that if you directly connect female connectors to the switch pins it would push against the metal frame when imstalled. The clearance between the B-pillar plastic cover and the frame is only 21-mm., so you need a shorter rocker switch for it to work.

Female pin connectors. 

Electric Step Disarm Switch installed.
 




4 comments:

  1. It is my understanding that the factory installed switch was to control the step position in the way you have the wired the second switch. I think I may not understand what the factory does. Thanks for explaining to a "newbie".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When you open the sliding door, the step automatically slides open irregardless of factory switch position. What the factory switch does is hold the step open when you close the sliding door. The step only retracts close when the factory switch is off or when you switch the van ignition on. The addition of the second switch will prevent the step from opening, totally disabling it.

      Delete
  2. What would be problem if the factory switch is on and the step retracts to close if the sliding door is close?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My guess would be a failing switch or loose wiring connection either at the switch or the controller.

      Delete

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