Deployable running board - cannot disable

[ienatom]

Hey everyone, Bronco newbie here!

I got a barely used 2023 Wildtrack Sasquatch a few months ago, and it was sold to me with OEM electric running boards. Now that's great, except for the fact that I cannot seem to find the setting to disable them.
I would love to know if that is doable (i've seen a few videos online where it seems to be an option in the "features" menu", but I'm not 100% sure) and why I cannot see the option anywhere on the screens.
If it's not possible, any suggestions to add a switch to deactivate them so I don't crush them on rocks in the near future?

Thanks!

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[GnormalGnome]

Welcome!

I don't think electric steps were a Ford option.

Do they have the Ford logo?
Have you looked for a label or part number on the underside?

When installed correctly, electric steps should have a manual override button. But it would be an add-on. Look closely along the bottom of the dash. Or perhaps previous owner wired it to one of the aux switches.

 

[ienatom]

Welcome!

I don't think electric steps were a Ford option.

Do they have the Ford logo?
Have you looked for a label or part number on the underside?

When installed correctly, electric steps should have a manual override button. But it would be an add-on. Look closely along the bottom of the dash. Or perhaps previous owner wired it to one of the aux switches.

Hi Gnome,
I asked the dealer directly to confirm and yes, they were already installed when they sold the car to him. I tried asking for support but saying that's lacking is an understatement.
I'll look around for the part number, and there is no ford logo. I'll send a picture in the morning if that helps.
I had a look below the dash and the steering wheel but no joy

 

[Sandy56]

No OEM electric boards from Ford. It would be an aftermarket part. What brand are they? That’s the best place to start

 

[GnormalGnome]

Check the aux switches.
With the vehicle running, cycle each switch on/off to see if the override switch got wired there.

If no success, you'll need to crawl under your Bronco and do some investigating. Each step will have a motor assembly (some have 2 motors per step). That is the likely spot to find a part number or manufacturer name. Also locate the wires coming from the motor and prepare to trace them to find the switch.

A typical electric step set up will have one step (often passenger side) with a single wire (possibly 2) going to the other step. The one it goes to will be the primary, with the main wiring harness. Along with power and ground, the main wiring harness will have 2 or more wires that should be routed into the cabin somewhere (floor drain plug is a common location). Those are the control wires for the steps, and at least 1 of them should be going to some kind of on/off switch.

Good Luck!

 

[Doc TOC]

There are only a handful of manufacturers making Bronco deployable steps. Ford is not one of them.

Go check the online stores like Extreme Terrain to see what matches yours.

 

[ienatom]

Hey everyone

i had a look at the aux switches but apart from number 6 (which I hooked to the ARB compressor in the spare wheel hub) they are all disconnected.

i couldn’t really find any name or number under the car (or maybe I haven’t looked hard enough) but here are some pictures of the boards and the cables. I’m 100% sore of the one connected to the positive of the battery, but not sure about the others.

let me know what you think

 

[dangerfoot]

Check your obdii port. If they're plugged in there you can just unplug

 

[ienatom]

I had a look at the OBD2 port but it's free

 

[HeliPilot]

I see that your concern is crushing them on rocks. I am assuming you mean not wanting them to deploy when opening the door while crawling. The steps should automatically retract if they meet any resistance while deploying. I know that will not save them from possible scratches, but they will not continue deploying if they encounter a rock.

 

[ienatom]

I see that your concern is crushing them on rocks. I am assuming you mean not wanting them to deploy when opening the door while crawling. The steps should automatically retract if they meet any resistance while deploying. I know that will not save them from possible scratches, but they will not continue deploying if they encounter a rock.

Hey Helipilot, yeah that’s my main concern to be honest. I wonder though if I can add a switch to toggle them whenever i want

 

[HeliPilot]

Hey Helipilot, yeah that’s my main concern to be honest. I wonder though if I can add a switch to toggle them whenever i want

That can be done. Most manufacturers have a switch you can buy to splice into the system. Just figure out who the manufacturer is. They should be able to provide a wiring diagram.

 

[whit11]

These look like the power steps I bought from SoFlo Customs with the three brackets. I had to add a shutoff switch using a 5-pin relay wired to #6 aux switch in the overhead. My step wiring harness has a 30A fuse that I was able to use a fuse tail to add the relay without hacking up the harness.

This lets you deactivate the steps to address your concern or lock them down to clean (or do your best secret service impersonation).

Here are a few pics

 

[ienatom]

Little update:

I found out that the running board that have been installed are from AOR. They look exactly the same. I haven't been able to find the installation manual (or anything similar) to help locate the controller.

In any case, if I can't solve it through a manual of some sort I was thinking of maybe adding a switch to manually switch it on/off. And yes, it should stop when it encounters any obstacle or resistance but I'd rather stop it before that happens

If anyone has ever used this kind of power step please let me know

 

[23OBX2.7]

Just box em up and send ro me in ND ill pay shipping

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