I have searched and read many posts describing either the tilt or telescopic function of the steering wheel not working. I also found the DIY on replacing the tilt motor and have removed the cowl and undercover but am not sure how to diagnose whether it is the tilt and telescopic motors or the tilt & telescopic control module. It seems unlikely that both motors would quit at the same time however the tilt motor was doing the "stop partial way" issue prior to the complete failure of both. I disconnected the battery, for about an hour, to see if that would reset anything however that had no effect on the motors.

Could someone guide me on how to diagnose whether it is the motors or the control module?

 

Do you hear a Tjirping sound?

 

There is no noise whatsoever. I even tried listening with a stethoscope.

 

Ok then your motor died. Everyone has this problem. 2 new motors should do the trick. You can dot it yourself.

 

First thing I checked was the fuse.

NLex, it seems awful strange that two motors would fail at the same time. The tilt motor was the one acting strange prior to this.

If the tilt motor fails does the tilt/telescopic ECU prevent the telescopic motor from running?

 

If you click the **** one way like 8 times, it might make it move. I thought my tilt motor was on its way out due to chirping but greasing the jackscrews on both motors has kept them going without squeaking. I noticed the problem was worse when car was sitting outside in the sun all day at work.

Grease the screw on both sides of the bushing and work it in a few times by running motor up and down. Worked for me but I did mine at first sign of any noise.

 

I'm sure this might not give the OP any real consolation, but in my car's history.....within the first year (2001), the entire steering wheel column was replaced. Of course the tilt and telescopic barely works today, but I have it disabled for automatic re track and never use it anyway. Good luck. Try not to get too upset as the tilt feature on our cars is just about the weakest link to LS430 ownership.