Power running boards not retracting

[mb1983]

Hi guys,

I have just noticed my passenger side running board is not retracting. The driver side still functions normally. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this, yet?

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[Snakebitten]

Have you tried using Sync/Features/Power Running Boards and changed the settings in order to get them to both respond to changes together?

 

[mb1983]

Update: I tried all the tricks: kick button on both sides, sync menu. It seemed like the passenger side was jammed a bit. I applied a slight amount of persuasion while pressing the kick button and the board closed all the way and seems to be functioning fine. Must have been a little grit or something in the mechanism but now it seems to be functioning fine. Hopefully, it stays that way.

 

[Snakebitten]

That's good news!

I'm guessing that there's some kind of targeted maintenance that we might do for keeping it clean and lubricated?

 

[Kodiak]

That's good news!

I'm guessing that there's some kind of targeted maintenance that we might do for keeping it clean and lubricated?

I have heard to spray WD40 regularly to flush it clean. I thought some dry lube might be better but I do not know if it flushes as well.

 

[crazywayne311]

yeah id be curious to know what sort of precautions or maintenance can be done to make sure problems are at a minimum.

 

[mb1983]

My assumption is that a thorough cleaning of the hinge components followed by some sort of light lubricant would be a good plan.

The truck was a little dirty when this happened, but it has been far worse through the winter months and had no issue then. I did fluid film the underside of the truck back in November. While the Fluid Film probably does provide some lubrication, it also probably retains grime and grit.

I will also say, as I started to play around with it, the board did attempt to close and moved an inch or so before stalling. I would imagine that there is a sensor of some sort that prevents the motor from closing with too much resistance to save the motor and whatever is blocking the boards.

Either way, the running boards are still working fine this morning. Something to keep an eye on for sure, and probably another reason to grab an ESP if you plan to keep the truck longer than the factory warranty.

 

[Snakebitten]

This is the only reference the 15,000 page service manual has when I searched.

So deploy them, look for and remove foreign debris, and use a pressure washer if necessary.

Pretty straight forward, but nothing about maintenance. Although I'm sure we can assume getting the mechanism clean and applying appropriate lubrication is a common sense approach.

Interestingly enough, I came across this little blurb:

So everytime you open the door and they deploy, you can smile about the confirmation that your gateway module is doing one of its most critical tasks successfully.

 

[mb1983]

Thanks, Bruce. Out of curiosity, what does A6 say?

 

[Snakebitten]

Thanks, Bruce. Out of curiosity, what does A6 say?

????

You took the hook!
I know, I've followed that rabbit so many times myself

 

[mb1983]

Lol, Thanks. I am not going to ask about A7. ?

 

[Snakebitten]

Owners manual (referenced in service manual)

 

[Snakebitten]

Lol, Thanks. I am not going to ask about A7. ?

It literally goes into the B's and C's

Although it's basically redundant in most ways.
Same information over and over.

You get the impression that if it was written for someone with critical thinking skills, it would be 5000 pages, rather than 15,000.

 

[mb1983]

It literally goes into the B's and C's

Although it's basically redundant in most ways.
Same information over and over.

You get the impression that if it was written for someone with critical thinking skills, it would be 5000 pages, rather than 15,000.

Yea, I had the factory service manuals for my 2005 F150. While it was a vast wealth of knowledge, it is so convoluted it can be painful. Helpful for a person who doesn't know what they are doing (me), but seems to be far too many words for an experienced tech. I cannot imagine having to read through 5 pages of information to get too there one sentence you need to know - must be frustrating for competent technicians.

The technical writers must be paid by the word.

 

[Snakebitten]

Yea, I had the factory service manuals for my 2005 F150. While it was a vast wealth of knowledge, it is so convoluted it can be painful. Helpful for a person who doesn't know what they are doing (me), but seems to be far too many words for an experienced tech. I cannot imagine having to read through 5 pages of information to get too there one sentence you need to know - must be frustrating for competent technicians.

The technical writers must be paid by the word.

2005 was 2 centuries ago relative to document management technology. ?
(I have a stack of Clymer and others on so many vehicles I've owned from the past)

Imagine if you were to show that tech back then that the service manual was stored on a handheld device and that you could find what you were looking for in seconds.

We are so spoiled with easy access, storage, search utility, indexing, hyperlinking.......

I grew up with the World Book 24 volume encyclopedia in the living room. My dad just beemed with pride when someone visited.

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