Power running boards works when it wants to

[FatalException]

I was just having this issue within the past month, ha!

My passenger side power running board was doing pretty much as you described. It also was noticeably slower than the driver side when it DID deploy fully, and made a somewhat grindy noise / was much louder in its operation than the the driver side. I hit all the pins I could reach with a small wire brush (while both open and closed) to loosen any schmutz on the outer areas, and sprayed the hell out of all the pivot points and the area where the motor connects (while both open, closed, and in motion) with WD40. It was the only canned spray lube I had at the moment, I know there are others that may or may not be better.

I then opened and closed the doors multiple times to thoroughly exercise the board... it felt like I was out there doing that for a solid half hour, ha! Eventually it started to sound less grindy, and got quicker. Had my son open and close the door while I sprayed lubricant in all pivots and the motor gearbox area AS it moved (watch your fingers, the board doesn't care much!) to really get it in there. After draining my WD40 can on it, its operated properly for at least the last couple of weeks.

I guess they are just sensitive to crap getting in there, causing resistance, and thus making it think someone has a foot or something the way?

 

[lricaud81]

Yeah ill probably go out there this weekend and do this. Pretty sure place I bought it prolly just spray wd40 on it call it good. Lol

 

[jboji]

I’ve had similar issues w my Navigator as well. I tried cleaning and lubing the pivot points but it would still get stuck in the up position.

Was going through YouTube and found a video where the owner had similar issues and he disconnected the power going to the power board motor. I cleaned it out as well and now it’s working perfectly.

How to FIX & Maintain Ford Power Running Boards - EASY DIY!

Is your Power Running Board Stuck or not operating properly? In this video I will show you how to Diagnose, Repair and Maintain the power running boards on ...

youtu.be

FF to 7:47 and you’ll see him clean out the the connection.

Hope this helps someone.

 

[ms136]

I experienced two different issues with my 2020. The driver board which always seemed to cycle freely would occasionally not move when either the front or rear door was opened. The passenger board reached a point where it would regularly attempt to deploy, stop mid-cycle, and retract, but would complete the extend cycle on the second attempt after the door was closed and opened again. I rationalized that the driver board behavior might be attributed to a faulty relay on the running board control module. Replacing the module took all of ten minutes and it did resolve the driver board issue. I deemed the passenger board behavior to be a lubrication issue causing the control board to sense an obstruction and reverse direction as designed. I tested multiple low viscosity "clean" products to lubricate the pivots points with none lasting more than a week, except Fluid Film. I waited to try Fluid Film as a last resort because it's nasty, sticky, doesn't dry, and I was convinced it wouldn't penetrate the pivot points. I was wrong, it took two Fluid Film applications three weeks apart, that was 6 months ago, and they continue to deploy first time without fail. As for the attributes of Fluid Film that I don't like, I wiped off what I could, and weekly washes at the local touch free car wash took care of the rest, yet it continues to lubricate and hasn't washed out of the pivot points.

 

[jboji]

I experienced two different issues with my 2020. The driver board which always seemed to cycle freely would occasionally not move when either the front or rear door was opened. The passenger board reached a point where it would regularly attempt to deploy, stop mid-cycle, and retract, but would complete the extend cycle on the second attempt after the door was closed and opened again. I rationalized that the driver board behavior might be attributed to a faulty relay on the running board control module. Replacing the module took all of ten minutes and it did resolve the driver board issue. I deemed the passenger board behavior to be a lubrication issue causing the control board to sense an obstruction and reverse direction as designed. I tested multiple low viscosity "clean" products to lubricate the pivots points with none lasting more than a week, except Fluid Film. I waited to try Fluid Film as a last resort because it's nasty, sticky, doesn't dry, and I was convinced it wouldn't penetrate the pivot points. I was wrong, it took two Fluid Film applications three weeks apart, that was 6 months ago, and they continue to deploy first time without fail. As for the attributes of Fluid Film that I don't like, I wiped off what I could, and weekly washes at the local touch free car wash took care of the rest, yet it continues to lubricate and hasn't washed out of the pivot points.

I have actually still have the same issue on my passenger side running board as well. It does not deploy on the first attempt but it does on the second and works perfectly fine after the first failed attempt. I'm going to try the fluid film and see if that resolves the issue.

Thx!