Solving Problems with the Ford Power Deployable Running Boards

You don’t have to be a neat freak to want to keep your truck's interior clean. We know you might be out in the fields or in off road situations and when you get out you might be picking up some mud on your footwear.

This is essentially why our trucks have running boards as a method of cleaning off our footwear before we get back in the truck. Why drag mud into the truck if we don’t have to right? It doesn’t prove anything to have a dirty truck.

In this article we will be looking at power deployable running boards as found on many Ford trucks and the problems they can develop. Unlike static running boards these can be automatically folded away while driving to reduce drag and improve fuel economy.

Possible Problems with Ford Power Deployable Running Boards

There are a number of reasons that power deployable running boards may fail to function and we are going to take a look at the main three issues that are reported most commonly.

Any of the above problems could cause the running boards to either not deploy or fail to retract when required. If they are stuck out this may not be an issue. However, if they will not deploy at all then you do not have the use of them.

Undeployed running boards mean you have nothing to scrape your boots on. In some cases people rely on the running boards to help them climb into the truck itself. This is why it can be frustrating when these power systems do not perform correctly.

It should be noted you can choose to keep the running boards permanently retracted, deployed or have them automatically operate as needed. So if you do not care to have them retract then save time and problems and leave them out. If you do not need them at all leave them retracted and again there’s nothing to worry about.

Rusted Parts Might Be the Problem

If your power deployable running boards are failing to move as they should the answer could simply be the oldest bane of trucks, it could be rust. Wet weather and muddy conditions do not combine well with metal and can lead to rust.

Nuts and bolts are especially susceptible to rust and if it gets bad enough it can actually lead to the running boards not being able to move. This is a sign that we are not taking the best care of our vehicle as a little oil to lubricate the nuts and bolts isn’t a huge hardship.

If the power deployable running boards have frozen up first look for visible signs of rust and corrosion around hinges, nuts and bolts. If it’s looking a little rough, let's go ahead and get this cleared up and you may solve the problem easily.

Cleaning Process:

• Firstly clear away any dirt and debris using a small brush to clean the right-side hinges, four pivot points and the nuts. Clear out any visible dirt
• Using a compressed air can make sure you have got all of the debris out of all these joints and bolts
• Now using a penetrating oil such as WD40 spray into the hinges, pivot points and nuts making sure to get a good coverage
• Grab the brush again and use it to help scrub the metal parts to clear away the rust and drive the oil deeper
• Repeat this process with the left-side running board ensuring to get rid of all debris
• Test your work by opening the truck door. If it starts to move a little push it with your hand and this should set things right

Fixing Ford Power Running Boards with Disabled Settings

There is a common error truck owners make when they are using Jack stands which can actually lead to a problem with the deployable running boards. They sometimes do not realize that their placement of the jack can lead to damage to this system.

At the very least misplacing the jack and placing pressure of the deployable running boards from underneath can cause the use of them to be disabled in the settings. That of course is the best case scenario as you just might damage the module and the motor as well so be careful.

Before we get to the fix for this we need to clarify that we have three setting options of Ford power deployable running boards which are:

• Off: Keeping them retracted at all times no matter what your doors position
• Out: Means that the running boards will be permanently deployed and will not retract regardless your doors position
• Auto: The running boards will deploy when you open the door and retract once the door closes

So now to fix that Setting issue. If this is the problem then it’s a nice easy fix so here’s how to try it.

• Turn on your truck and load up the Ford screen
• Click on the settings bar
• From this bar choose advanced settings and press Ok
• Search until you find “Vehicle bar” and press Ok again
• Search until you locate “Power Running Boards” and click Ok
• To fix the issue select Auto and then test to see if this has worked

If this reset of the settings does not work then there is a deeper issue that may need to be attended to.

Replacing The Running Boards

The problem may be an obviously broken element that you can visibly see is causing the running board to not work. In this case you may need to replace the running board itself. This is a little bit of a more involved fix but we’ll go through the process in case you feel like tackling the challenge.

• You are going to need to safely jack up your truck to give you clear access to the broken running board
• Get under the truck and disconnect the motor from the running board before using a ratchet wrench to remove all the nuts and bolts as well as the brackets
• Detach the power deployable running board first from one side and then the other
• Having removed the broken unit, replace with the new one making sure to line it up correctly.
• Reinsert the brackets, nuts and bolts into the correct places and make sure they are well tightened
• Reconnect the motor and test the running boards

With some luck this will have fixed the issue and you can put the truck back down and go about your business with functioning power deployable running boards.

How Long Do Power Running Boards Take to Wear Out?

Generally speaking, given reasonable use and careful maintenance you can expect these power running boards to be working for up to 5 years or 60,000 miles. So they are not the most resilient parts of the truck and as they are not vital to operation they are generally not covered by warranty.

Can I Fix the Problem?

We would all love to be mechanics who can fix our own trucks for no more than the cost of parts but sadly we are not. There are some issues that you can fix yourself but there are also issues you may want to pass on to a professional.

If you manage to break a motor or the module using your jack then this might need to be fixed by a professional. Always remember that if you are unsure of what you are doing you may be at risk of breaking something else on the truck in your repair attempts.

So if you are going to try a repair look up videos on how the fix is done and watch them several times before you pick up a single tool.

Conclusion

Power deployable running boards are a cool feature on a truck but many people will opt for either having them permanently retracted or deployed. If however you love the option of having them set to open and close with your truck doors then it’s wise to know the reasons they may break.

There are a number of reasons which can range from simply needing a cleaning and a rust removal to a full replacement of the running board. With a little know-how you might be able to make these fixes yourself.

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