Last night I took a hour long trip and stop at the gas station and got out steering wheel went up and in like it always does and when I got back in my car I started it and the steering wheel came down but didn't come outwards like it should. I have read all sorts of threads talking about the up and down movement but not the telescoping movement. Is it all the same gear, or a different motor? I have had this car for a week and it has sounded weak when it went up and in.

 

It's a different motor, and the chances are good the little motor is toast.

Fairly common, as after 1000's on in and out cycles, the brushes in the motor just plain wear out.

Any electric motor can be rebuilt though, as opposed to spending a small fortune on a new assembly

 

Okay sweet and where can I purchase one of these rebuild kits? And today it just worked when I got in it and I drove and left the key in it for a bit and went home and it won't back in or move.

 

There is not really a kit per se, but it has been done by several people who have just taken the motor apart and replaced the brushes which can be bought at any radioshack.

Mine is toast on my 95 as well, and i was going to pull it out at some point and try to find a business that rebuilds electric motors. There are lots of them out there and I'm sure they could redo these without much of a fuss. Or you could also try and find a good used one on ebay too.

 

yes, very common.
my GS is getting very slow on the telescopic motion also.

heres a DIY for the GS (similar motor)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/7896448-post21.html

and this guy fixes the other motor assembly (up and down) on an LS which may help when you tackle it.

 

I've seen that video and the motor is almost under the dash I found a guys thread talking about where and how he fixed his.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-400-300/296665-problem-with-telescopic-steering-wont-go-in-and-out-2.html?styleid=14

Skip to page two for the guys fix.