Hi all.

Drove to the shops today. When I got out of the car and did the usual, the passenger step is now permanently out. Doesn’t attempt to move back in.

Drivers side works and operates fine.

Any idea how I can begin troubleshooting this?

99% certain it’ll be the pivot points seizing up. They are difficult to lubricate in situ but easy to remove to work on them

I’ve tried lubing and cleaning.

It really appears like the motor makes no attempt to operate. I’ve tried a hard battery reset and that’s not worked either.

I need to go on a long trip tomorrow and don’t think I should do it with step sticking out, is there any way to force it in??

Managed to get my Indy to look at it today with an hours notice, but as I was getting into the car to go to them, the step has suddenly started working again.

I’ve disabled the system for now until I can get it booked in properly.

The only thing that has changed is that I charged the car overnight. Fluke? Or would low battery cause one side to work and the other not.

if you have tried to use the step with the engine running and it didnt work at that time , then its probably not the battery.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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Makes sense. Bummer!

Probably just your lubrication efforts finally soaking in a bit.
I found the only way to make any real progress is to strip the steps down then soak all of the brackets in oil/kero/diesel or whatever your lubricant of choice is then work all of the pivots by hand until they loosen off a bit.

Thanks.

I think I’m just confused by the fact that the steps made no attempt to move whatsoever, seems like zero noise or torque attempt from the motor.

I would have assumed water ingress or a dead motor, but I properly sprayed everything down with the jet wash yesterday evening so will have had no time to dry out. And the motor clearly works because it did today!!

To avoid squashing dogs, small children and old peoples feet the motors are designed to stop/reverse if they feel any resistance so I expect that the resistance of a stiff pivot is enough to fool it