Power running board motor replacement (2022 Yukon)

[Tyrell]

I believe my passenger side running board motor needs to be replaced but I'm having trouble removing the motor from the rod which connects it to the rear bracket. I need to somehow extend the bracket that the motor is mounted on so the screw is accessible. See pics.

...Or maybe I'm chasing down the wrong hole and there's a different solution I should consider? Here's what happened:

As I was driving away from picking my kids up from school, the passenger side running board motor started making grinding noises every 20 seconds or so. It sounded like it was trying to move the running board but the running board was stuck in the up position. Opening the passenger door would not deploy the running board and no noise was heard. Trying to manually deploy the running boards using infotainment system also did not work for the passenger side (no motor noise). The driver side is working correctly.

 

[Coveman]

I think the motor is on the left side of your photo (behind the electrical connector). It looks like one of screws is visible in your picture. I have amp power steps and have pulled the motors to lubricate them, couple screws and they pull right out. Mine do not have that rod, I assume it sends torque to the other hinge; mine only powers the forward hinge.

 

[Tyrell]

Mine are the GMC power steps. You are correct that the rod is to send torque to the rear bracket. That keeps both ends of the running board in line.

Since the motor doesn't make any signs of trying to do anything when it is requested to be deployed, I'm not sure if lubrication is the problem.

 

[Coveman]

Not sure if we’re on the same page. Can you pop the motor out to see if it works? If so, something is binding in the gearbox.

In your picture I cant see which screw you mentioned is blocked, but what looks like the motor is circled in blue

 

[Tyrell]

How would I "see if it works?" I assume apply 12v DC power, but not sure which pins on the connector.

 

[Coveman]

Yep, you can apply 12v via a jumper wire to the motor and also put a meter on the wires in the electrical connector to see if you have voltage to the motor from the controller.

If all that is good you should be able to let the system power it. After disconnecting the motor from the steps, plug the electrical connector back in and see if the motor turns when the door opens/shuts.