Power Running Boards Acting Funny

[flying68]

So lately I have had several instances where the running boards either will not deploy fully, like stop halfway, or not retract fully. In every case, just closing and opening the door again will get it to work properly, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 cycles to correct. Has anybody else had this issue or know what is wrong. It is intermittent enough that it probably won't do any good to take it to the dealer yet.

 

[mpc11]

So lately I have had several instances where the running boards either will not deploy fully, like stop halfway, or not retract fully. In every case, just closing and opening the door again will get it to work properly, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 cycles to correct. Has anybody else had this issue or know what is wrong. It is intermittent enough that it probably won't do any good to take it to the dealer yet.

Mine just started doing this yesterday morning. Would go down all the way, but would only retract half way up when the door was closed. Tried several door closes to no avail. They were just greased and lubed last week.

Coincidentally I already had an appt at the dealer yesterday morning for a front driver’s side noise coming from axle/ inner cv joint area along with start up rattle for phasers or waste gate. They only retracted half way when I got there, so the advisor could see the problem. (Probably should have played the lotto yesterday since it started on a day I already had an appt and could replicate it while checking in with the advisor, which never happens!) Still waiting to hear back from the dealer, but will post back when I hear back or pick up and have the paperwork with info.

 

[EdibleDegree]

I have this same issue with mine. Its only affecting the passenger side right now. It will deploy okay but will not retract consistently.

 

[Rob6805]

Power running boards have been around for quite some time. You'd think they would be pretty robust now but they aren't. They are prone to issues and failures.

 

[Gumby]

I had to turn mine off. Dealer wanted almost 2k to change the motors. That is for sure on area where some re-engineering could be useful.

 

[Fizzy]

I had to turn mine off. Dealer wanted almost 2k to change the motors. That is for sure on area where some re-engineering could be useful.

Do you know which of the 4 motors is bad? Each motor and assembly is approximately $290 each online per corner. Can't be hard to replace yourself.

JL1Z-16A506-H
JL1Z-16A507-G
JL1Z-16A506-F
JL1Z-16A507-E

 

[Wayne Decker]

When I picked mine up from the selling dealer they said it's a common problem but usually cured by hosing it off. They said that's what they mostly have to do to get them working again (and they don't charge for it if that's all it is!)

 

[flying68]

When I picked mine up from the selling dealer they said it's a common problem but usually cured by hosing it off. They said that's what they mostly have to do to get them working again (and they don't charge for it if that's all it is!)

Guess I need to break out the pressure washer.

 

[mpc11]

Mine just started doing this yesterday morning. Would go down all the way, but would only retract half way up when the door was closed. Tried several door closes to no avail. They were just greased and lubed last week.

Coincidentally I already had an appt at the dealer yesterday morning for a front driver’s side noise coming from axle/ inner cv joint area along with start up rattle for phasers or waste gate. They only retracted half way when I got there, so the advisor could see the problem. (Probably should have played the lotto yesterday since it started on a day I already had an appt and could replicate it while checking in with the advisor, which never happens!) Still waiting to hear back from the dealer, but will post back when I hear back or pick up and have the paperwork with info.

Advisor said they acted up a few more times, then just started working. Their answer was a small rock or something must have gotten up in there and worked it's way out. I don't buy it as it retracted fine when I parked the car in my garage for the rest of the day and overnight and then started acting up the next morning the first time I got in it. They greased them again and at least it's documented. Several door closes since getting it back yesterday (before it goes back next week for VCT's under the TSB) and no issues though. Yet..

 

[Wayne Decker]

Guess I need to break out the pressure washer.

It's worth a try.

 

[Fozzy]

I keep mine clean and spray Triflow on them. It seems to help. All brands are a bit finicky due to the safety pressures. It would be nice if they would let you override it to get them up or down when in a bind or for service.


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[flying68]

Well took it to the car wash and made sure I sprayed the hinges down. They are all nice and clean. Boards worked normally after that until this morning when the driver side failed to deploy. Guess I will see if it keeps happening before taking it in.

 

[Richard Nall]

Our 2016 just started having the issue a couple of days ago. They are fully functional because they will go up and down like a yo-yo. They just do not always stay down when the down is open. I'll cleaning around the motors.

 

[PapaGegs]

Keeping the hinged parts clean and lubed has helped mine. It must be an issue, though, because I see other Expeditions with their running boards stuck in the down position.

 

[Fizzy]

What's the best grease to use? White Lithium? Or would that attract too much dirt to stick?

What about dry lube like PTFE or graphite spray?

 

[tommyboy]

My issues started like that. I was able to spray some bike/chain lube (attracts lest dust) in there and they went back to working properly. A few months later the driver's side started acting up and I couldnt do anything to get them working properly again. It was move a little then make this horrible pulsing noise. I took it to the dealer and said the motors needed to be replaced on the drivers side and it was about a $1500 job. Luckily I purchased a repair contract with my credit union when I financed the Expy so I only had to pay the $100 deductible.

 

[Modelcarguy]

I see a repeating topic here. As in never ending.

might I suggest that you do a forum search on this topic? I think you’ll find a bevy of solutions and lower cost suggestion s on how to fix your problem.

The running boards do have issues. But that can be mitigated with lubrication and cheaper parts replacement.

Again, rather than transfer many of the same questions. Check the search and FAQ on this subject. You will find the solution your looking for. I promise.

 

[flying68]

I see a repeating topic here. As in never ending.

might I suggest that you do a forum search on this topic? I think you’ll find a bevy of solutions and lower cost suggestion s on how to fix your problem.

The running boards do have issues. But that can be mitigated with lubrication and cheaper parts replacement.

Again, rather than transfer many of the same questions. Check the search and FAQ on this subject. You will find the solution your looking for. I promise.

There wasn't much in the 4th Gen forum, and nothing specific to this issue. Also I don't own a 3rd Gen, so I didn't look there because older vehicles may have issues that don't necessarily relate to newer ones, either because of age or because of design. If you really wanted to be helpful, instead of just being a curmudgeon, you would put a link to this FAQ that supposedly exists and link other useful threads where this problem may have been discussed.

As always you are more than free to skip reading a thread if you think it is redundant or not interesting to you. Sorry that I wasted your time.

 

[FlyBry]

If you have experienced power running boards for the last 15+ years, regular cleaning and lube is critical to their performance. You guys up North have it even worse with your harsh winters. Some have turned them off in Winter to avoid the dreaded "fender burg" breakage, only to find them inoperable in the Spring. This solution seems to work effectively in the Northern climates:

 

[KJ-Idaho]

Hmm. Took mine to two different dealers for passenger side failure. Same symptoms as several of you describe. First dealer thoroughly cleaned and lubed the Assy. Next day same issue. Second dealer says known issue and ordered motor - to be replaced in two weeks