
Operation
There are two running boards, one on each side. Each one provides a step below both the front and rear doors.
The ARB assembly (fig. 2) is installed beneath the side of the vehicle in a position that does not affect ground clearance. When the running board is retracted, it is sheltered from debris so it remains clean.

A Motor
B Control module
With the opening of either the front or rear door, a power extend operation (fig. 3) occurs on the assist step on that side of the vehicle. A power retract operation (fig. 4) occurs on the assist step with the closing of both doors on that side of the vehicle. A door open/close status input is received by the assist step controller through the GMLAN serial data line. The park brake switch and vehicle speed inputs are also received by the assist step controller through the GMLAN serial data line. The assist steps are disabled when the disable switch is pushed once. The assist steps are enabled with a second push of the disable switch.Â


Each assist step has a bi-directional motor and a hall-effect sensor to detect the position of the assist step. The hall-effect sensors are included with the motor assembly. The polarity on each motor is switched to reverse the direction of assist step travel.
Object Detection -- Each assist step reverses direction of travel when an object is detected in the travel path. If an assist step is moving in the retract direction, the assist step will move to the full extend position if an object is detected. If a door is opened and then closed on the same side as the extended assist step, the assist step will move to the retract position. The assist steps will stop and hold if after two failed retracting attempts an object is detected when retracting and the vehicle is in the drive position with the vehicle speed above 5 mph.Â
Service Tips
Diagnostic Data -- The ARB module provides diagnostic information to the DLC which can be accessed using the Tech 2. Codes are of the U- and B-types.
Module Unlock Procedure -- The vehicle is delivered with the ARB module locked, to prevent operation during shipping. It is necessary to perform the unlock procedure during Pre-Delivery Inspection.
1. Both driver side doors open
2. Park brake set
3. Turn ignition switch On
4. Within 20 seconds, toggle the Disable Switch three times, leaving it in the enabled position
Running Board Removal -- Before removing the running board from the bracket, mark its location with a grease pencil and measure the distance to the front and rear of the board. This is explained in SI, and is necessary to ensure that the running board is properly realigned with the body.
Motor Replacement -- Follow the SI procedure when installing a replacement motor, to ensure that the flat on the motor and the step wedge are properly aligned, to avoid unwanted noise.
Learn Procedure -- When the assist step controller is replaced, or loses battery power, the assist step controller must learn the position of both assist steps. At least one door must be opened and closed on each side of the vehicle for both assist steps to go to a learn procedure. Each assist step will extend and then retract after a door is opened and closed on that assist step's side of the vehicle. Each assist step will learn its own position with the learn procedure.
TIP:Â The new assist step controller must be unlocked for the learn procedure to commence. New module initial setup for Assist Step Controller in the Tech 2 must be followed to clear the MEC and then the Module Unlock Procedure must be followed to unlock the boards before learning.
Control Module Replacement -- Although the control module is reprogrammable, replacement modules will be pre-programmed and ready for use once a new module initial setup for Assist Step Controller in the Tech 2 is completed to clear the MEC and then the Module Unlock Procedure is executed.
- Thanks to Greg McIsaac and John Scott









