Steering wheel not telescoping/adjusting automatically (2003)
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: VA
I learn more and more here, I just decided to replace my motors and spent $200 in the Snap-On truck outside the dealership buying special tools. Why don't wives understand there are more than one kind of screwdriver? That $200 almost cost me 50% for the rest of my life!
Stearing not going up or down
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: pa
The steering wheel on my 2003 LS430 (115,000 miles) stopped functioning properly.
When I turn the car off, the wheel retracts normally;
When I turn on the car, the wheel does nothing;
With the manual adjustment button, I can get the wheel to come out, but it will not adjust up or down.
It does not make any noise and does not appear to be unsuccessfully "trying" - it is simply not moving.
My mechanic says it is something that only the dealer can repair (due to part availability) and that it will cost about $2,500.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
MotionMan
When I turn the car off, the wheel retracts normally;
When I turn on the car, the wheel does nothing;
With the manual adjustment button, I can get the wheel to come out, but it will not adjust up or down.
It does not make any noise and does not appear to be unsuccessfully "trying" - it is simply not moving.
My mechanic says it is something that only the dealer can repair (due to part availability) and that it will cost about $2,500.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
MotionMan
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: pa
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: MD
Tilt sterring wheel problem
Motionman,
I had the same issue. I purchased the tilt motor from Sewell Lexus and had a local dealer installed to ensure there would be no issues with part warranty.
Tmarb
I had the same issue. I purchased the tilt motor from Sewell Lexus and had a local dealer installed to ensure there would be no issues with part warranty.
Tmarb
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 51
Likes: 4
From: CA
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: ca
My thought is that I will enjoy this automatic feature until the very very first sign of any failure/coise/click whatsoever then I will go to the dealer to have the auto function disabled while there is still time to save it for manual use. Hopefully I will not be too late. Just my 2 cents. Oh one final thought. When I park the car inside my own garage which is all the time, I do not remove the key. Based on 7 days times 2 trips per day average it saved the mechanizms from having to move 728 times per year. I feel this will buy me some more time to enjoy the feature.
LASTLY, you state that it is not a good idea as you are tall and your wife is considerably less tall. BUT if you think about it, the steering wheel WILL re-establish each of your individual desired positions with the use of the memory seat function it will just not auto retract so if you can get it functional again it will conform to your desired positions individually with the memory seat button. Just an observation.
LASTLY, you state that it is not a good idea as you are tall and your wife is considerably less tall. BUT if you think about it, the steering wheel WILL re-establish each of your individual desired positions with the use of the memory seat function it will just not auto retract so if you can get it functional again it will conform to your desired positions individually with the memory seat button. Just an observation.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Ca
The steering wheel on my 2003 LS430 (115,000 miles) stopped functioning properly.
When I turn the car off, the wheel retracts normally;
When I turn on the car, the wheel does nothing;
With the manual adjustment button, I can get the wheel to come out, but it will not adjust up or down.
It does not make any noise and does not appear to be unsuccessfully "trying" - it is simply not moving.
My mechanic says it is something that only the dealer can repair (due to part availability) and that it will cost about $2,500.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
MotionMan
When I turn the car off, the wheel retracts normally;
When I turn on the car, the wheel does nothing;
With the manual adjustment button, I can get the wheel to come out, but it will not adjust up or down.
It does not make any noise and does not appear to be unsuccessfully "trying" - it is simply not moving.
My mechanic says it is something that only the dealer can repair (due to part availability) and that it will cost about $2,500.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
MotionMan
I'm told the only solution is to replace the tilt/telescope motor in its entirety. Dealer quotes about $475 for the motor unit, plus labor, and I've been unable to locate a used version, as mostly the entire steering column is recycled as a unit, which includes the tilt/telescope motor.
Anyone have any ideas on sourcing the tilt/telescope motor?
Thanks!
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,448
Likes: 602
From: SC
I learn more and more here, I just decided to replace my motors and spent $200 in the Snap-On truck outside the dealership buying special tools. Why don't wives understand there are more than one kind of screwdriver? That $200 almost cost me 50% for the rest of my life!
Haven't heard much from her about that lately.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 243
Likes: 2
From: SC
I had a similiar problem with my 2002. In my case it was the up and down motor that failed. Parts from Sewell with our CL discount was $296. The Toyota dealer charged me $129 for labor. That's a far cry from $2500 so my suggestion is to order the parts from Sewell and get your Toyota dealer to install. Good Luck!!
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 176
Likes: 7
From: MO
We really can't turn the telescoping feature off without going to the dealer?? I assume that pulling the fuse will leave the wheel in the current position..
Question... Which fuse is the fuse to pull??? Please provide feedback or a picture. Thanks!
Question... Which fuse is the fuse to pull??? Please provide feedback or a picture. Thanks!
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: CA
I did get done by the Toyota dealer in Lodi, CA about a year and a half ago. $1300 out the door. I am a happy camper.