I have a 2018 Platinum with powered running boards. I live in the northeast, so they are of course caked in sand, salt and mud this time of year. I had them down in the garage to clean and lubricate the hinges, and when I went to put them back up, the passenger went in slow, but all the way. Drivers side went about half, the stopped dead. Does not go back to full open, and cannot be "helped" up. It is completely stuck, and will not go in either direction. Passenger side is working fine. Is there some sort of breaker or reset? It doesn't even seem like it is trying, I don't hear the motor at all.

 

No, there is no reset. There is a fuse powering the PRB Module, but if that was blown both PRBs would stop working.

My passenger side did the same thing a month ago when it was like -30°C. Board wouldn't even attempt to move. I opened and closed the door several times "helping it" in and out each time. It slowly started working but it was still really slow. Power washed it and applied this stuff as someone else had recommended. PBRs have been working great ever since.

 

I don't even hear the motor try to move now, and when I try to help it, it doesn't budge.

 

My passenger side did the exact same thing. Acted like the motor was dead. How many times have you tried? As soon as you open the door, you have to try and pry it down . Then before you close the door start trying to pry it up. After several attempts, it starting moving a bit. Each time I did it, it moved a little more. Finally I could get it to fully retract and extend, but it needed help. Spray some penetrating oil or the Fluid Film on all the pivot points and let it soak in. You don't want to give up too early. New motors are $$$$.

Before winter hit this year I actually took the driver side PRB off the truck and had it on the bench. The rear bracket was almost completely seized. I worked it back and forth on the bench many times spraying it with penetrating oil before it started moving without a lot of restriction.

 

Welp, there goes my buying factory ones and going Amp Research way.

 

They'll do the same. I had them on my 2013. Kept them down in the winter after 2 seasons of them getting stuck. Would clean them each spring. Would love to retrofit factory ones though.

 

There is really no reason to take them off, they can be cleaned with a power wash and a good lubrication as mentioned above.

 

Sprayed the PRB hinges with Seafoam Deep Creep just before freezing weather late October.

Made it through a very cold February here in Central Wisconsin with no issues.

Stuff a little smelly so if someone has a sensitive nose in the house it let the vehicle sit outside for a couple of days.

Have also used Fluid Film with good results.

https://seafoamworks.com/product/dee...netrating-oil/
____________________________
19 Platinum 701a Max Tow

 

I've spent some time under the truck spraying penetrating lube on all pivots, front and back and let it sit overnight. I don't think it is the hinges. I am confident it is the motor. It is either seized or not getting power. I will have to wait until I can get it up on a lift to check further. The motor is absolutely caked with road dirt, I have a set of mud flaps on the way. The past few times I washed the truck, in a touch free auto wash, I manually deployed the boards to allow the step surface to be cleaned. I hope I didn't cause an issue with any electronics by doing this. The boards have always been sluggish.

 

You need to get under there with a hand wand wash and give it a good going over with the boards deployed. The fact that the motor is "caked" in dirt is a sign that it needs more frequent cleaning and lubrication maintenance. The electrical for the PRB motors and the electrical connectors are well sealed and it won't get damaged by the power wash. There is a rod that connects the motor and front bracket to the rear bracket. It rotates to deploy and retract the boards. Make sure that is clean of debris and there is nothing to stop it from rotating. Check for any stones which might have jammed between the rod and the undercarriage.