cavemutt

I replaced my Drivers side power running board today on my 2013 Platinum. When I put it back on, it goes IN when you open the door and goes OUT when you close the door.

I've taken it off and checked the orientation of the wedge and I've got it in with the narrow side towards the bolt head.

I've unplugged it when it's out and opened the door and plugged it in again, but that didn't fix it. I've unplugged it when it's in and closed the door and plugged it in again, and that didn't fix it either.

I'm out of ideas. I thought someone posted they were having that issue in one of the multitude of power running board threads, but I can't find it, so I'm hoping someone has some advice.

I did the passenger side last weekend and it went just fine.

rednblues

What happens if you go into the dash menu and deploy both out...and then back in?

cavemutt

I'm not sure, I'll give that a shot, but I ended the day yesterday with the board off, so I probably wont have a chance to put it back on and try it for several days.

alborn98

I'm no expert, but sounds like the motor is simply spinning the opposite direction for out/in. In any other electric motor application, you can swap the wires (reverse polarity) on the contacts and it'll spin the other way. I'd say do that, and it'll prolly solve the issue.

Edit - after looking at how these things go together, I definitely believe this to be the issue. However, in order to reverse polarity, you just need to rotate the motor housing. The polarity of the magnets inside affect the motor direction. Undo the screws, rotate, tighten her up, and retest. If that doesn't work, rotate it further to the next set of holes.

jdunk54nl

I was going to say these are generally simple "window" motor designs and electricity flowing one way causes it to spin one way and electricity flowing the other causes it to spin the opposite. SO, reverse the wires and you should have your fix.

cavemutt

OK, wow. I was wondering if it was a wiring issue, but since its just a slip in wiring harness, I just assumed it would come from the factory the right way.

Both of these responses are helpful. I'll try rotating the motor housing first and if that doesn't work I'll try to switch the wires in the harness.

cavemutt

And on that note, I've seen guys rig up a 12v drill battery to bench test these motors, but I don't have any 12v tools, only 18v. Is there anything else I can use to cycle these motors without plugging them into the truck first?

jdunk54nl

Do you have a 12v car battery or battery charger?

cavemutt

I think I have a trickle charger somewhere for my motorcycle, I was wondering if that might do the trick.

jdunk54nl

It should if it is a couple of amps at least.
If not, grab some extra wire and run it from the truck battery.