Power steps

[calvinjwilcox]

Recently noticed that the driver’s side step does not retract after closing the door. Even after the truck is shifted to drive or reverse, it will stay in the down position. I normally correct this by opening and closing the door.

This is intermittent by the way and I have noticed it happen at least four times now. Haven’t noticed it occurring on the passenger side but then again whose to say it did and I’m driving down the road looking like a fool....

It’s occured to me that there should be a dummy light or message that flashes if any one of the steps are left down. Maybe they’ll add it later??

Any owner on here experience the same issue? If so, what was the fix?

 

[illucid]

Mine has stayed down longer than usual a few times and then eventually retracts when it hits a certain speed driving, like 20kmh or something.

 

[calvinjwilcox]

Mine has stayed down longer than usual a few times and then eventually retracts when it hits a certain speed driving, like 20kmh or something.

Weird...not sure if this would even be worth bringing to my dealer for them to look at.

 

[Grayfuji]

now that you mention it I have noticed the steps staying down a bit long a few times. Will definitely have to pay attention to it, wonder if there is a pattern to it or not.

 

[calvinjwilcox]

now that you mention it I have noticed the steps staying down a bit long a few times. Will definitely have to pay attention to it, wonder if there is a pattern to it or not.

Yeah I forgot to mention that mine will also take a while to retract sometimes but other times the drivers side will legitimately not retract no matter how long I wait.

 

[DeanKing]

Recently noticed that the driver’s side step does not retract after closing the door. Even after the truck is shifted to drive or reverse, it will stay in the down position. I normally correct this by opening and closing the door.

This is intermittent by the way and I have noticed it happen at least four times now. Haven’t noticed it occurring on the passenger side but then again whose to say it did and I’m driving down the road looking like a fool....

It’s occured to me that there should be a dummy light or message that flashes if any one of the steps are left down. Maybe they’ll add it later??

Any owner on here experience the same issue? If so, what was the fix?

Mine close shortly after people are in and close the doors. They tend to stay down longer if I am outside and don’t get in so I wonder if it is somehow tied to a sensor in the seat. If they do not go up automatically, did you try pressing the manual button twice? It’s in the controls screen.

 

[calvinjwilcox]

Mine close shortly after people are in and close the doors. They tend to stay down longer if I am outside and don’t get in so I wonder if it is somehow tied to a sensor in the seat. If they do not go up automatically, did you try pressing the manual button twice? It’s in the controls screen.

I have not tried that yet. Seems like the times they want to stay down is only when I’m sitting in the seat.

Really wish they were truly “automatic” and you wouldn’t have to worry about them performing correctly.

For such a pricey option I expect a little more

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

I've heard my passenger side going up later than expected after a passenger gets in. It always goes up, just not when I think it should.

I have a theory. It operates on a timer after the door closes. Starting the truck drops power / resets most electronic devices in the truck. If we start the truck before the timer is done, how does it know when to retract? My driver's side has retracted late after I'm backing down the driveway. I believe it's due to startup interruption.

Just a theory. I'll test it tomorrow.

 

[ChadT]

I've heard my passenger side going up later than expected after a passenger gets in. It always goes up, just not when I think it should.

I have a theory. It operates on a timer after the door closes. Starting the truck drops power / resets most electronic devices in the truck. If we start the truck before the timer is done, how does it know when to retract? My driver's side has retracted late after I'm backing down the driveway. I believe it's due to startup interruption.

Just a theory. I'll test it tomorrow.

Neat idea

If true, then it wouldn't do it on remote starts right?

 

[calvinjwilcox]

I've heard my passenger side going up later than expected after a passenger gets in. It always goes up, just not when I think it should.

I have a theory. It operates on a timer after the door closes. Starting the truck drops power / resets most electronic devices in the truck. If we start the truck before the timer is done, how does it know when to retract? My driver's side has retracted late after I'm backing down the driveway. I believe it's due to startup interruption.

Just a theory. I'll test it tomorrow.

Geez......this makes a lot of sense. I’m going to try this also

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

Neat idea

If true, then it wouldn't do it on remote starts right?

Shouldn't. Let's compare notes now that we're studying the behavior.

I've had Amp Research power steps on my lifted Excursion for years. They are "dumb" and operate purely from the door sensors. Open a door, down they go. Close, and up they go. The Ram steps are supposed to be "intelligent" with integration to the Body Control Module through the OBD2 Canbus. If the BCM resets, it has to figure out what to do with the steps if deployed. Maybe it waits for an event since it lost track of the delay time.

 

[calvinjwilcox]

Maybe it waits for an event since it lost track of the delay time.

If true, I wonder if this can be corrected with reprogramming? It would suck if you had to manually retract them or create an event like opening and closing a door every time they’re stuck.

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

If true, I wonder if this can be corrected with reprogramming? It would suck if you had to manually retract them or create an event like opening and closing a door every time they’re stuck.

That would suck to have to open/close the door. I'd be seeing the dealer if that's the case.

Mine have never stayed deployed after I'm on the road. I don't know if there are events for speed, placing the truck in drive, occupancy sensors in seats, etc. The BCM sees all those conditions and any could be used. I'll be paying closer attention now.

 

[warvet]

I've heard my passenger side going up later than expected after a passenger gets in. It always goes up, just not when I think it should.

I have a theory. It operates on a timer after the door closes. Starting the truck drops power / resets most electronic devices in the truck. If we start the truck before the timer is done, how does it know when to retract? My driver's side has retracted late after I'm backing down the driveway. I believe it's due to startup interruption.

Just a theory. I'll test it tomorrow.

This is my theory too!!! Because most times when my driver's step goes up after I've pulled out of my parking space............this has been the scenario

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

Well guys...I tried it.

1. Remote Started
2. Walked out and entered the truck
3. Closed the door
4. Immediately pressed start. (Truck was running)
5. Step retracted with similar timing to normal.

Retry:

1. Stopped truck
2. Opened door
3. Closed door
4. Immediately pressed start. (Truck not running)
5. Step retracted normally

I retried again but let the dash electronics shutdown before closing the door....same result. I also reversed steps 4 and 5, starting the truck with the door open then closing it. Same result.

I'll try again without remote start. These trucks enter a deep sleep after several minutes. Remote start wakes them up.

The mystery continues.

 

[SpeedyV]

now that you mention it I have noticed the steps staying down a bit long a few times. Will definitely have to pay attention to it, wonder if there is a pattern to it or not.

Same here...they work as expected most of the time, so I don't pay them much attention. However, there have been a couple of times where I've driven off and heard the driver's side retract maybe 10-15 seconds after I started moving (usually in a parking lot). I haven't had it happen enough to determine a pattern.

 

[DeanKing]

I have not tried that yet. Seems like the times they want to stay down is only when I’m sitting in the seat.

Really wish they were truly “automatic” and you wouldn’t have to worry about them performing correctly.

For such a pricey option I expect a little more

I can assure you mine have never had these problems so there is an issue with yours. I don't believe it is by design.
One other crazy thought: do you have air suspension? I do not. I wonder if there is something tied into the truck raising and lowering.

 

[calvinjwilcox]

I can assure you mine have never had these problems so there is an issue with yours. I don't believe it is by design.
One other crazy thought: do you have air suspension? I do not. I wonder if there is something tied into the truck raising and lowering.

No air suspension on my rig. I drove it around a ton today and didn’t encounter the issue of the drivers side staying down. Even tried opening the door, closing it, remote start and then immediately opening and closing the door and it still retracted relatively quick.

 

[RamCares]

Recently noticed that the driver’s side step does not retract after closing the door. Even after the truck is shifted to drive or reverse, it will stay in the down position. I normally correct this by opening and closing the door.

This is intermittent by the way and I have noticed it happen at least four times now. Haven’t noticed it occurring on the passenger side but then again whose to say it did and I’m driving down the road looking like a fool....

It’s occured to me that there should be a dummy light or message that flashes if any one of the steps are left down. Maybe they’ll add it later??

Any owner on here experience the same issue? If so, what was the fix?

Hi calvinjwilcox,
Let us know if you decide to have your dealer look into this. Just send us a private message and we will be happy to offer an extra layer of assistance while your truck is at the dealer.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist