Running Boards which will not retract?

If the running boards are out before start your vehicle, open door,go to your fuse box and pull the fuse. The back of the panel will tell you what each fuse is for and location. This'll keep them from retracting.

2009 Cadillac Escalade
Some power running boards are stuck (in cold weather) due to lack of lubrication. Shoot WD-40 to free up stuck joints.

However, if you have your running boards stuck in the up or down position after a dead battery or other issues, here is how to reset them WITHOUT the need for a dealer service or scan tool:

Power running boards are locked from the factory to the dealership, this is how to unlock them as part of dealer prep.

To activate and unlock the articulating running boards for normal operation, perform the following procedures:

Open all front and rear doors.
Set the parking brake.
Find the running board disable switch located on the center console below the HVAC climate control system.
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position, with the engine off, and toggle the disable switch three times within 20 seconds to activate the power running boards.
Close all doors.
Open the left front or left rear door and the running board on the left side should articulate out.
Close the left front or left rear door and the running board should articulate in.
Open right front or right rear door and the running board on the right should articulate out.
Close the right front or right rear door and the running board should articulate in.

The articulating running boards will now operate when opening either the front or rear doors on that side of the vehicle. A power retract operation of the running boards will occur with the closing of both doors on that side of the vehicle.

I own a 2007 and the running boards are controlled from the information center in the dash. If you hit the setup button until you get to the option for running boards, you can hit the reset button to select "auto", "in", or "out". If out is selected it will keep the out all of the time. Hope this helps!

At THE END of All These Instructions Are MY NOTES and Suspicions
I will be Totally Honest with you here after A Lot of Reading on the System.
I'm Not POSITIVE this will Work But after Looking @ ALL Available Schematics, Diagrams and Ligature the Only Way I Can see to Make them Do What YOU Are Asking Is to --
WHILE BOARDS are EXTENDED (OUT) Disconnect the RETRACTABLE RUNNING BOARD MODULE, and With NO Power They May Stay in the Extended Position. to do this Fallow these Instructions.

Remove the RH C-pillar trim panel.(Kick Panel @ Left Ankle While sitting in Driver Sea
Disconnect the retractable running board module electrical connectors =2. Do this as I Said With the Running Boards are EXTENDED or (OUT) If this Fails try SAME as Described But Disconnect the MOTORS Located Undercarriage Forward of Rear Wheels on both sides.
It Sounds as if Maybe GEARS are "STRIPED" @ Motor & ACTUATOR Lever for Boards. If You Have ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL P L E A S E Feel FREE to Refer Back to Me Here at Fix ya.com as it is My Pleasure to HELP People as Well as "I FEEL" My Calling to help People Using My 30yrs of Knowledge. Hoping this Will Help You With Your Running Board Problem. I Can Email Pictures to you also @ Scree-name Here @ aol.com