Problems with power running boards

[PM-Performance]

“Most” of the times it is crud build up causing this from what I have read.
Road debris, oxidation from road salt, etc.
Usually a good cleaning of the mechanism abs lubrication fixes it.

 

[Aseras]

This time of year mine are totally caked in mud. It rains in FL in the winter and summer and just about always. I can bring home over lb of dirt with each side every day I wash off. I have never had them not deploy.

 

[Rynel08]

I went thru a manual car wash Sunday and it seemed to be more consistently working until Monday. Where is the physical location of the power running board sensor? Want to make sure that area gets a good cleaning. I did not see too much lubrication on the moving parts, I'll get some added within the next few days when I get a chance. Thanks for the help!

Ryan

 

[Rynel08]

Is there any specific brand/type of lubricant I should get? Guessing silicone to keep extra dirt/debris out of it?

 

[Skater]

I use white lithium grease spray, similar to what you put on a garage door. I spray all of the hinges and actuator a couple of times a year.

 

[Aseras]

I wasn't kidding it's so bad right now.

I use the white lithium grease as well.

 

[Rynel08]

I use white lithium grease spray, similar to what you put on a garage door. I spray all of the hinges and actuator a couple of times a year.

View attachment 77311

Thank you Skater, no issues with collecting dirt?

 

[Skater]

Well, I do not do to mine what Aseras does to his apparently, but no, no issues collecting dirt and I have used that same grease for many years on my former F-150 Platinum with retractable running boards and never had any issues.

 

[Rynel08]

Well, I do not do to mine what Aseras does to his apparently, but no, no issues collecting dirt and I have used that same grease for many years on my former F-150 Platinum with retractable running boards and never had any issues.

Appreciate it, I have some Fluid Film already but may try the white lithium first. Hoping it fixes it issue.

 

[Aseras]

If you have the air suspension you can raise it all the way up and look under the rear 1/3 of the running board and you'll see the motor and linkages there. Check them for binding ( do not crush yourself ) and lube them too. Thats where the real magic happens, not the hinges you can see.

 

[42Bert]

I traded a 2019 Laramie for a 2021 Limited. I have the same problem with the passenger running board not working all the time. I brought it to a dealer once And of course they could not duplicate the problem. I am going to schedule to bring it back again to see if it can be fixed along with the air noise problem I am having, sounds like a window cracked open but there is not. This truck is no where near as quite going down the road as the 2019 was. If any one finds out what the problem is with the running boar, that would be great info.

 

[Rynel08]

I traded a 2019 Laramie for a 2021 Limited. I have the same problem with the passenger running board not working all the time. I brought it to a dealer once And of course they could not duplicate the problem. I am going to schedule to bring it back again to see if it can be fixed along with the air noise problem I am having, sounds like a window cracked open but there is not. This truck is no where near as quite going down the road as the 2019 was. If any one finds out what the problem is with the running boar, that would be great info.

Luckily for me the dealer was able to replicate the issue and I'm waiting for the Chrysler rep to get back to the dealer. The running board motor itself is on back order with no ETA and hoping they will approve replacing the whole unit which sounds like they have in stock at least in Chicago.

 

[ac1d1ous]

Thanks for making this post! I bought my 2021 1500 Ram and I've having the same problem with the passenger side. Took it in once and they thought they had it fixed, but nope. The dealership has ordered the part and I should be on the schedule for replacement next week.

 

[42Bert]

What part are they replacing, just the motor? It helps all of us with the same problem if we can show the dealer others are having the same problem and what the fix was. What was your build date? Mine was October 2020. Maybe a common problem that is just coming to light.

 

[Rynel08]

What part are they replacing, just the motor? It helps all of us with the same problem if we can show the dealer others are having the same problem and what the fix was. What was your build date? Mine was October 2020. Maybe a common problem that is just coming to light.

Build date is August 2020, the dealership claims its just the motor that needs to be replaced but since the motor itself is on backorder they are trying to get the entire unit replaced (motor, running board, etc) since there is still stock. Supposed to hear back tomorrow what Chrysler is approving.

 

[rubikcube]

Same problem here. 2020 Limited and passenger side step wouldn’t extend fully and even when it did, it sometimes wouldn’t retract. Dealer was able to reproduce and fix with new parts. Not sure which parts they replaced though.

 

[equalie]

Same problem here. just bought 2020 laramie megacab and never worked properly. I tried lubing it, made sure it was aligned properly and still nothing. Have a dealership service app following week but glad to hear I'm not the only one with this issue. hope dealership does not scew with me and fixes the issue.

 

[RamCares]

I picked up a 2020 LTD two weeks ago. Passenger Side running board intermittently deploys. When it fails it will usually come out approx a quarter of the way then return to the stowed position. Hopefully my dealer won’t try to blow me off.

I traded a 2019 Laramie for a 2021 Limited. I have the same problem with the passenger running board not working all the time. I brought it to a dealer once And of course they could not duplicate the problem. I am going to schedule to bring it back again to see if it can be fixed along with the air noise problem I am having, sounds like a window cracked open but there is not. This truck is no where near as quite going down the road as the 2019 was. If any one finds out what the problem is with the running boar, that would be great info.

Thanks for making this post! I bought my 2021 1500 Ram and I've having the same problem with the passenger side. Took it in once and they thought they had it fixed, but nope. The dealership has ordered the part and I should be on the schedule for replacement next week.

Same problem here. just bought 2020 laramie megacab and never worked properly. I tried lubing it, made sure it was aligned properly and still nothing. Have a dealership service app following week but glad to hear I'm not the only one with this issue. hope dealership does not scew with me and fixes the issue.

Hi all,

I apologize that you have to endure this concern with your trucks. Please know that our team here is a private message away and we are more than willing to connect you with a specialist who can work alongside both you and your dealers while your truck is in service.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Skater]

Following this as I am having the same issue on a brand new 2020 Limited that I've had for only a few days. Passenger power running board works good 65-75% of the time, only comes put a few inches and immediately retracts when not working. No obstructions.

This was exactly what mine did. My dealer replaced the hinges, which apparently were sticking causing the sensor to believe there was an obstruction. Good luck. Since mine was repaired, it has worked flawlessly.

 

[Jalbach]

Hi everyone, seems to be a issue, 2020 LTD with 1800 miles and wife’s running board is intermittently not deploying first start of the day, hopefully FCA is narrowing down the problem. Looks like I’ll need to take to dealer to start a case.