2024 Platinum - Power Running Boards Retract Too Often

[Vulnox]

Hi all,

I am on my third F-150 with power running boards. I had a 2021 Lariat PowerBoost then a 2023 Lariat PowerBoost then the 2024 Lightning.

I really like them overall, and when I got my 2021 it had some odd quirks where the running board would retract when you lock the truck but if you were still too close when walking away they would deploy. Ford eventually got that worked out with an OTA update. The 2023 boards worked great with very little phantom deploys or retracts.

My 2024 Lightning though is out of its mind. It generally deploys them fine when I am walking out to the truck, but let's say I open the passenger door to put some stuff for work in the truck and close the door. As I make my way around the truck to the driver door it retracts the boards. Then when I open the driver door they deploy again. This kind of seemingly random retract and deploy is so unusual.

When walking away from the truck too they will retract, then the walk away lock engages and for some unknown reason, they deploy. Then like 30 seconds later they retract again.

I have pulled the 12v on the truck previously for another issue, and these have done this before and after. They have done it since I got the truck. It's one of those issues that is both really dumb, but also growing to be a bit annoying, especially for a feature I generally really like.

With all that said, has anyone encountered this or have any ideas? The only thing I can think short of a dumb reason to go to the dealer is to finally pull the trigger on the hardware to do FDRS updates. But if this is a trend for other Lightnings I don't really want to bother with it. I have been trying to be patient for when the programmer goes on sale.

Thanks!

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[RLXXI]

Hmm, Not sure how Ford's strategy on this is worked out but the retractable steps (Amp Research) I installed on my other truck only deploy when a door is opened and retract when it's closed, only the side the door is opened on will deploy/retract.

They do not deploy for any other reason than the door being opened. Sounds like yours may be tied into the approach lighting and/or walk away lock events.

Try disconnecting the 12v battery for 30 mins, it may reset or at least chase away the ghost in the machine.

 

[Heliian]

Saw a ram going down the highway yesterday with the boards extended still. Worst accessory for a working truck but as long as it comes out when you get in and retracts when you drive.

As said above, it's probably the Wal, with approach mode enabled confusing each other. Is there any settings for these things?

 

[Vulnox]

The only setting for the boards is Auto, Extended, Off (something like that) where you can tell them to always be extracted. Maybe what that RAM had set, or tell them to not respond at all.

 

[PJnc284]

You can change the settings to stay deployed for 5min. That gets rid of the retract/deploy when for WAL.

 

[Vulnox]

Aww man, I guess I wasn't digging down far enough into the options. Thank you! I set it to extended and did a trial run of my usual passenger door --> close --> driver door and the boards remained out.

Thanks again for taking the time to put the picture up!

You can change the settings to stay deployed for 5min. That gets rid of the retract/deploy when for WAL.

 

[RLXXI]

Saw a ram going down the highway yesterday with the boards extended still. Worst accessory for a working truck but as long as it comes out when you get in and retracts when you drive.

As said above, it's probably the Wal, with approach mode enabled confusing each other. Is there any settings for these things?

Depends on the brand, the AR boards I put on my other truck are still going strong after 12 years, never a single issue. I don't know who Ford gets their boards from but they are an irritant with many due to defects and have been for at least a decade.

 

[PJnc284]

Aww man, I guess I wasn't digging down far enough into the options. Thank you! I set it to extended and did a trial run of my usual passenger door --> close --> driver door and the boards remained out.

Thanks again for taking the time to put the picture up!

np. That drove me crazy when I had the dealer update my BCM to enable WAL a while back. Now if they'd just give us a way to delay locking. Can't even walk around the truck without it locking most times.

 

[djwildstar]

My 2024 Lightning though is out of its mind.[... description deleted for brevity ...] With all that said, has anyone encountered this or have any ideas?

My understanding is that the factory running boards are tied into the approach lightning system: the boards should deploy when the approach lightning comes on. They should retract when you close the doors. Opening the door after that should deploy the boards, and closing it again should retract them. The only thing you describe that seems weird is for the boards to deploy when you lock the truck -- definitely no need for that, but probably also harmless (and maybe it has something to do with the tie-in to approach lighting).

I much prefer AMP Research's approach where the the boards are tied to the doors. Opening a door deploys the board on that wide. Closing the door retracts the board after a short delay. Simple, easy to understand, and the boards are there when you need them.

 

[Vulnox]

Depends on the brand, the AR boards I put on my other truck are still going strong after 12 years, never a single issue. I don't know who Ford gets their boards from but they are an irritant with many due to defects and have been for at least a decade.

Aside from this walk around issue which seems to be resolved I haven’t had any issues with mine. We are in Michigan and the truck sits outside all the time.
I’ve never believed in avoiding something I find useful and use every day because something might one day maybe go wrong.

 

[RLXXI]

Aside from this walk around issue which seems to be resolved I haven’t had any issues with mine. We are in Michigan and the truck sits outside all the time.
I’ve never believed in avoiding something I find useful and use every day because something might one day maybe go wrong.

Fords running boards are a well known issue with my other trucks generation, it's possible Ford listened to people complaining and changed suppliers.

Like you I don't base my purchases on IF it might fail, just relating personal and professional experience on this topic.

 

[Vulnox]

Fords running boards are a well known issue with my other trucks generation, it's possible Ford listened to people complaining and changed suppliers.

Like you I don't base my purchases on IF it might fail, just relating personal and professional experience on this topic.

Yeah, I hit mine with a silicone lubricant a few times per year usually after a wash. I’ve done that with the three I’ve had with boards and maybe me being extra cautious with them has helped. I don’t think Ford marks them for regular maintenance but it makes me feel better.

 

[PJnc284]

Aside from this walk around issue which seems to be resolved I haven’t had any issues with mine. We are in Michigan and the truck sits outside all the time.
I’ve never believed in avoiding something I find useful and use every day because something might one day maybe go wrong.

Love mine. Spent about 6 months trying to find a Lariat that had the power boards and max tow. Surprised more didn't come with them since it was only a little over $200 over the standard running boards. I'll might change my mind when the electrical gremlins inevitably take hold but hopefully it's someone else's problem by then.

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