jknoxxx

My steering wheel is locked in the up position with the motor not functioning. Would someone please post instructions on how to manually drop the tilt steering wheel to one position. I have noticed.posts on how to change the gear, but not on how to move it manually. Plesae assist...JK

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

changing the gear will not work on your 99.. and it would take a long time to instruct you how to loosen your shaft and unscrew it to lower it..
look at the photos and try to get an idea of what to do...

jknoxxx

Thanks for the photos!

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I have only done this once, (I owned and operated a auto repair shop for 30 years) and so I fumbled around a lot, getting it done, but it can be done. you just have to get the shaft to where you can turn it (I dont remember which way you turn it, look at the shaft and remember you are trying to SHORTEN it, to bring it down. I am 84 now and just cant remember all of what I done (sorry) good luck.. where are you, I am in Carrollton, DFW area.
I FOUND THIS: Tilt
I have a 1999 LS400 and I was having the same problem with the tilt and auto adjustment of the steering wheel. The up-down function simply stopped working, while the in-out was still working. Of course, there are two different small motors that control these functions. I tried to adjust the tilt using the up down switch in the left of the column, but I could only hear a faint beep everytime I tried. I found information about the issue that was in the bulletin from Lexus, but obviously my car is already out of warranty. What I did to solve it (and it worked!) was to manually move the wheel down and it seems some sensor reset, allowing the system to work fine again. Here is what I did:
1. Remove the plastic cover for the steering column. It has 3 philips screws.
2. Find the up-down motor and locate the threaded bar that goes out of this motor.
3. Find the electrical conector for this motor, it is orange and goes on the same side of the up-down switch. Unplug it to cut the power to the tilt motor.
4. Get a pair of long nose pliers and grab the threaded bar. Turn it a bit clockwise, maybe be half a turn. Remove your pliers.
5. Reconnect the power to the tilt motor.
6. Turn on the key. Voila!
7. Reinstall the plastic cover for the steering column.

In my case, the tilt motor started working fine immediately. I hope it stays that way for long time.
I saved $400 dollars for the motor, 1.5 hrs of Lexus labor but mostly I enjoyed doing it following the postings, ideas and suggestions!
BTW, if you want to leave the steering wheel in a fixed vertical position, adjust the desired postion and disconnect the power to the tilt motor before reinstalling the plastic cover. That is what I will do if it fails again.

jknoxxx

Thank you Mr. Billy, I will give it a try....

GoldLex99

You can also try tapping the switch downward 10 times. The system has electronic limits that sometimes get confused. The electronic limit gets set at the upper limit (the same can happen with the telescoping). Tapping the switch overrides the electronic limit and lets the column move to it's mechanical limit. It's not something you want to do often but it's worth a try before you disassemble things.

Let us know how you make out.

John

ncdiolosa

Has this been figured out? Or did Billy's found suggestion work? I'm having this same issue, no tilt or telescoping