Automatic Running Boards Issue

[luderiffic]

Sorry to revive this thread, I have searched but cannot find. How hard is it to remove Automatic Running Boards and replace with a fixed option? Is there a void left where the old running boards were that would inhibit them from putting on "normal" running boards? Thanks

 

[Chriseb444]

dont do it. i have a 2012 Limited, had problems, dealership said it was ice and slush, then after warranty ran out; yeah, how about 1700 for a computer part...2300 to put it in :/ so yeah had mine put in out position, waiting on some cash windfall to fix.

 

[DCLM74]

dont do it. i have a 2012 Limited, had problems, dealership said it was ice and slush, then after warranty ran out; yeah, how about 1700 for a computer part...2300 to put it in :/ so yeah had mine put in out position, waiting on some cash windfall to fix.

When u say you had them put in the out position, is that something that he dealer did or they just stayed stuck in the out position? I actually wouldn’t mind if they were permanently is the out position.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[luderiffic]

dont do it. i have a 2012 Limited, had problems, dealership said it was ice and slush, then after warranty ran out; yeah, how about 1700 for a computer part...2300 to put it in :/ so yeah had mine put in out position, waiting on some cash windfall to fix.

You say don't do it, but if I were in your position, I would totally try to rip them out and just get something fixed. Right? Why would you spend that amount of cash to fix those? Is there a reason why you must fix it?

 

[twoburgers]

auto running board - driver side is beginning to fail

dont do it. i have a 2012 Limited, had problems, dealership said it was ice and slush, then after warranty ran out; yeah, how about 1700 for a computer part...2300 to put it in :/ so yeah had mine put in out position, waiting on some cash windfall to fix.

Bummer! My driver side is beginning to fail. It would sometimes retract once I was moving, then recently I had to use pressure from my foot to get ti too retract. I will say the failure to retract is inconsistent, but at some point I expect that I will have to spend $$$ to address.
The takeaway for the masses is to document the issue while you still have warranty.
Chris

 

[djbrat]

Best Fix Yet

Just started having this problem on driver side only with 2013 Limited 2 weeks ago. Called my local Toyota service department. They were great - told me to first try resetting the battery by disconnecting both terminals for 10 minutes; then touch them together to make sure discharged; put them back on. Followed their instructions and then got in (board was stuck out) - shut the door - started it - running board retracted - turned it off and opened door - board came out as it should and retracted when I shut the door! Hope this helps someone else, too!

 

[pobando]

Considering purchasing a replacement 4Runner that has these installed from the factory. My concern is in regards to the actual removal and issues surrounding pulling these off of the car.
I'd be more than happy to toss them in the "for sale" thread if anyone really wants them should the sale go through.

Already have sliders to install from last 4Runner.

Sorry to revive this thread, I have searched but cannot find. How hard is it to remove Automatic Running Boards and replace with a fixed option? Is there a void left where the old running boards were that would inhibit them from putting on "normal" running boards? Thanks

 

[3s1kill]

Considering purchasing a replacement 4Runner that has these installed from the factory. My concern is in regards to the actual removal and issues surrounding pulling these off of the car.
I'd be more than happy to toss them in the "for sale" thread if anyone really wants them should the sale go through.

Already have sliders to install from last 4Runner.

I'm having the same issue. My passenger RB won't go in after the door clothes until I start driving away. It's very annoying and started a few weeks after I bought it a few months ago.

I still have a little warranty left on my 2015 limited I better bring it in.

 

[Donnieb420]

What did you replace them with, specifically? And how did you get the dashboard warning light to shut off? Thanks!

 

[3s1kill]

Just a follow up. I took it to the dealership and they told me the motor is going bad so they ordered the parts. It was $1300 for just the parts.

 

[tm965]

I am circling on a new Limited for my next vehicle... has anyone who bought the automatic running boards regretted it?

I think I do need running boards of some kind since I'm not tall (5'-8") and getting stuff up onto the roof is going to be quite a challenge without them. But I don't really like the look of the fixed boards. I just can't decide if the automatic ones are worth ~$1500.

you wont need running boards at 5'8"

 

[Frustrated Redneck]

2014 Toyota Limited 4 Runner Automatic Running Board Issues

We are the original owners of a 2014 Toyota Limited 4 Runner 4WD which is equipped with automatic running boards. One year after having the 4 Runner we noticed intermittently the driver’s side running board would either not deploy when the door was open or not retract when the door was closed. The problem began to affect the passenger side running board as well. We brought it up during the routine service appointments at our local Toyota dealership.

I have been a mechanic for over 30 years and am well aware of the phenomena that everything works on the vehicle when the mechanic looks at the vehicle. Of course, the Toyota dealership could not find anything wrong. This continued for almost 3 years until 2018 when I turned in our 4 Runner for service and opened the driver’s door and the running board did not deploy. The dealership tested troubleshot the entire running board electrical system and found an open circuit in the Auto Step Controller Computer assembly (part #: 89720-35011; $339.90). Apparently, this Auto Step Controller Computer assembly has been used on 2012-2017 4 Runners. Beware and watch for the signs of failure listed throughout this post.

We have only had our 4 Runner back for a few hours but the running boards seem to be working fine. I made sure our Toyota dealership was aware that we had reported the automatic running board issues while still under factory warranty & any repairs should be covered. Toyota covered all repairs for the replacement of the Auto Step Computer Controller assembly.

The part comes with a 1 year warranty on parts & labor. I will be watching the running boards to make sure they do not start exhibiting the same failure characteristics as before.

I hope this helps somebody else with their Toyota 4 Runner automatic running board issues.

 

[rfuller1]

Yes, I regret the auto-running boards. The fear that everyone has, they are beginning to be very inconsistent. It took about 5 years and 70k miles.

 

[rfuller1]

We are the original owners of a 2014 Toyota Limited 4 Runner 4WD which is equipped with automatic running boards. One year after having the 4 Runner we noticed intermittently the driver’s side running board would either not deploy when the door was open or not retract when the door was closed. The problem began to affect the passenger side running board as well. We brought it up during the routine service appointments at our local Toyota dealership.

I have been a mechanic for over 30 years and am well aware of the phenomena that everything works on the vehicle when the mechanic looks at the vehicle. Of course, the Toyota dealership could not find anything wrong. This continued for almost 3 years until 2018 when I turned in our 4 Runner for service and opened the driver’s door and the running board did not deploy. The dealership tested troubleshot the entire running board electrical system and found an open circuit in the Auto Step Controller Computer assembly (part #: 89720-35011; $339.90). Apparently, this Auto Step Controller Computer assembly has been used on 2012-2017 4 Runners. Beware and watch for the signs of failure listed throughout this post.

We have only had our 4 Runner back for a few hours but the running boards seem to be working fine. I made sure our Toyota dealership was aware that we had reported the automatic running board issues while still under factory warranty & any repairs should be covered. Toyota covered all repairs for the replacement of the Auto Step Computer Controller assembly.

The part comes with a 1 year warranty on parts & labor. I will be watching the running boards to make sure they do not start exhibiting the same failure characteristics as before.

I hope this helps somebody else with their Toyota 4 Runner automatic running board issues.

Are they still working, out of waranty and hesitant to take it in for repair.

 

[babygotfront]

its the ECU not the motors

Are they still working, out of waranty and hesitant to take it in for repair.

just had this issue on my 5th GEN 2016 T4R LTD ... auto-running board problem ... first the driver-side started acting up ... it would extend no problem, but wouldn't retract until i hit 5mph or so ... several months later, the passengers side starting exhibiting the same problem ...

took it to my dealer here in colorado ... nearly broadway/littleton blvd ... at first they wanted to replace both motors (first, they were both working - kindof, 2nd, odd that they both go out at/near the same time) ... anyway, they got the motors in (under warranty), replaced them ... same problem ...

their tech got on the horn with toyota's tech ... turns out to be defective ECU (controlling the running boards) ... motors were fine (which makes more sense) ...

they put the ECU's on order ... i'll update more after the parts arrive ...

btw, both motors if replaced after warranty ... $1602 per side ...

 

[Infinus]

Yes there is a TSB for this issue. You can replace the controller yourself pretty easily and it can be found online for 225+shipping and is very easy to do yourself. I just did it this weekend after much frustration with my running boards.

Computer Assembly Side - Toyota (89720-35011) | Toyota Parts

 

[T4RLMTD]

Has anyone been successful in removing them and just putting in a fixed option? Is this difficult to do?

 

[Traenk]

I have had intermittent issues with our automatic running boards not retracting. If i were to push on the boards with my foot, then close the door, they would work so it seemed like resistance was causing the safety feature to engage and the won't retract. Once i started driving, they would retract.

I removed the running boards from the moving support (4 allen bolts on each board) and left the brackets attached to the truck and lubricated everything that moves. Things were not moving freely before lubricating.

When i reassembled, i did not tighten the boards completely down until they were in the retracted position. I had issues with it not working when i tightened things down in the open position. Please be sure to turn off the boards before going under the truck with the boards retracted.

So for me, seems to be a lubrication issue.
I did buy a new running board control unit thinking that was the issue but have not installed. The boards have been working without issue for 3 months now.

Best of luck to all with issues!

 

[Superjet]

You can get fixed running boards, the old ones just un bolt. The only issue is the rocker panels. Get ones that are compatible with limited or modify rockers. There are threads here with resolutions.

I'll give you $100 for that new ECU

 

[Infinus]

My wife and I Purchased 2018 4Runner Limited with automatic running boards. Immediately noticed random behavior of the running boards retracting and deploying. Brought into dealer and could not "recreate" the problem. So at this point this is a huge safety issue for us. Decided to remove the automatic running boards and install static, but dealer could not install the static ones because the automatic running boards are integrated in the side panel. At this point the only option was to have the dealer fix the automatic running boards. Found a T.S.B. for 2012-2017 4Runners to remove and replace the ECU. In the meantime we were still having issues with the running boards deploying and/or retracting when they wanted to. Dealer finally replaced ECU and we are still having issues with the running boards. Went to dealer to ask for a replacement vehicle and they refused after knowing that there was a safety issue with the running boards.

Does this happen with the car off? If the car is being started when the running board deploys or stores, this will cause it to fail to deploy or store, as the car starting is taking most of the available power. If storing fails once you start to drive the board will retract at 5mph as a safety feature. If you avoid starting the car right when someone opens a door or within 3 seconds of a door closing this may solve your issue. I don't think they make this clear to owners in the documentation and likely why the dealer can't recreate the issue.