2010 Automatic Runnings Boards Problem
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2010 Automatic Runnings Boards Problem
I have a 2010 Expedition EL Limited with automatic running boards. One of them started getting stuck in the out position last year and making an awful noise when it retracted. Yesterday my battery had to be disconnected and I completely forgot about the running boards. When we reconnected the battery the running boards were reset to the automatic on position. Now the one that had issues last year is in the out position and won't go back in even though I turned the boards to the off positon. The stuck board tries to go back in and sounds like a jammed wench. How can i get the running board to go back in? I have read that the 07 - 14 running board motors are bad. Is that what my issue is?
Tuned
Joined: May 2014
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I have not heard that the running board motors are bad. I have read that the pins could get rusted tight. That did happen to one of the hinges on my 2007 Navigator a few weeks ago.
It sounds like the hinge pins on your running boards are frozen. It the motor keeps trying to move them something is going to get damaged. Either the motor will burn out or some gears will get stripped.
Turning the auto operation off in the message center will not stop the running boards from trying to go up.
I would unplug the motor until you can fix it. The plug is located right near the motor.
You might get the hinge pins to free up by spraying penetrating oil and letting it soak in. Then try moving the board a little at a time. This could take hours.
The motor and hinges are expensive so be careful not to allow the mechanisim to break itself.
Richard
It sounds like the hinge pins on your running boards are frozen. It the motor keeps trying to move them something is going to get damaged. Either the motor will burn out or some gears will get stripped.
Turning the auto operation off in the message center will not stop the running boards from trying to go up.
I would unplug the motor until you can fix it. The plug is located right near the motor.
You might get the hinge pins to free up by spraying penetrating oil and letting it soak in. Then try moving the board a little at a time. This could take hours.
The motor and hinges are expensive so be careful not to allow the mechanisim to break itself.
Richard
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Thank you for that information. We will try disconnecting the motor. Could I disconnect both motors and allow the boards to stay in the down/out position instead of up? Is there a reason taht is not an option in the settings?
This is where I read the motors are prone to failure. Ford Expedition Running Board
This is where I read the motors are prone to failure. Ford Expedition Running Board
Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
Yes, if you unplug the motors when the boards are down they can not be powered up.
I really don't know why the message center is not designed to leave the running boards down when driving.
I can see that if the boards are down they can easily hit curbs. If you hit a curb hard enough the body could be bent where the hinges are bolted up to the body. Now that would be expensive.
Because you heard lots of noise when your stuck board was trying to retract I am thinking there may be some gear damage.
I noticed my drivers side board started to struggle the last few inches of travel while going down. I could see the dollars flying out of my pocket. So that day I started a regime of squirting penetration oil and tapping on the hinge pins with a hammer. Then I let things alone a few hours and kept doing that several more times. The next day more oil while I exercised the board up and down.
I think the best thing to do next is to remove the pins and install new bearings in the hinges. There are no seals to keep moisture out of these bearings and water can in them fairly easy.
Good luck,
Richard
I really don't know why the message center is not designed to leave the running boards down when driving.
I can see that if the boards are down they can easily hit curbs. If you hit a curb hard enough the body could be bent where the hinges are bolted up to the body. Now that would be expensive.
Because you heard lots of noise when your stuck board was trying to retract I am thinking there may be some gear damage.
I noticed my drivers side board started to struggle the last few inches of travel while going down. I could see the dollars flying out of my pocket. So that day I started a regime of squirting penetration oil and tapping on the hinge pins with a hammer. Then I let things alone a few hours and kept doing that several more times. The next day more oil while I exercised the board up and down.
I think the best thing to do next is to remove the pins and install new bearings in the hinges. There are no seals to keep moisture out of these bearings and water can in them fairly easy.
Good luck,
Richard
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