I just sold my 02 LS430, and picked up an 00 SC300 (33k miles!). Imagine my surprise when I saw a button switch on the SC's steering column labelled "Tilt Away."

As you know, on the LS, every time the key is inserted in the ignition, the steering wheel extends/rises or lowers, and the reverse happens when the key is removed. I know the dealer can disable that, but the only dealer on this island told me they don't know how.

Anyway, the switch on the SC does just that. So no worries about unnecessarily running the steering column motors.

Just a heads-up. Maybe someone can use the SC's wiring diagram and figure a way to mount a switch in the LS to disable the function.

Cheers

 

Have you considered getting a copy of Toyota's Techstream? It costs about $20 from Amazon.com and runs on your laptop. Check out this site posted by Lavrishevo https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ingertips.html

While you're there, check out Post #137 for a listing of neat stuff you can customize.

 

I never knew Techstream had the function to enable/disable automatic steering wheel tilt.

I got one like 2 weeks ago, but never had time to fully utilize the right program for it on Windows OS.
It's such a hassle getting the Techstream program updated and then running it without facing registration issues, oh well, I'll mess around with it a little more.

Thanks for sharing RKW.

 

I disabled my auto tilt right after I got the program. Should not have an issue with my steering column motors now.

 

Bingo! Did the same right after my purchase years ago. Why keep running these motors that are known to be vulnerable from the get go and now that they are older it's plain stupid to keep them running. All is disabled. I have no problem getting into my LS430. I do have a little more trouble getting into my Jaguar XK, but that is practically new and has 4 more years of warranty.. Ha ha.

 

good info. I'll be doing this to my 430 as well

 

My ls400 had a bad motor and when it died it was in a bad position. Really high. I ended up taking vice grips to the adjustment screw to set a good position and since I did not have or know about TechStream at the time I just manually unplugged both motors. Lol. Not the most elegant solution but it worked well.

 

While playing with the program last night, I found a utility feature that you can use if the steering wheel was stuck. It's called "stuck steering wheel" I believe, didn't focus too much on the name, but you'll be able to easily find it in between the ton of customizable features.

You just apply it from the program and the steering wheel will go up and down a few times. I think it resets the motors, or re-calibrates them.