Help!
Sometimes when I take the key out of the ignition the tilt steering wheel doesn't move back up
Telescoping appears to be working properly.

But even with the key in the on position it won't work. I'll just hear a click from the relay when i push down on the setting to move the tilt down. Is there any way to fix this? Has anyone had this problem?

No warranty on my lex!
=(

 

motor is gone?

 

Kinda hard to say. Could be the motor, might be electrical... gawd I wish I had the maintenance manuals!

 

Sound the motor is try to lock up. Or you can take the steerin column covers out by remove 3 philips head screws. Two of them you have to turn the steering to left and right to see them and another one is on the bottom part. Then you will see the tilt motor just right below the combination switch( turn signal and wiper switch).
Then you will see the motor(round in shape) and some kind of worm gear, may be the gear need to be lubricated. The part# for Lexus is 08887-02007( Body Grease W). DO NOT USE ANYTHING ELSE. This is the special grease for all of the steering column and if you use 4WD or wheel bearing grease it will make it worse.
The best way is go to Lexus dealer and ask one of the tech. to spare one of the steering column grease. Tell them the yellow grease they used when they rebuild the steering column on the LS and LX. They probably have about 100 of them around the shop. Try this first before buy the motor.

 

Years back, I had an LS 400 with the same problem. (the switch clicking noise but motor doesn't move) I took it apart and noticed the problem was not the motor. There's this "sensor" that tells the motor that the wheel is at the lowest or highest possible level. I took the sensor out, bent the thin metal hairs on it a little, and put it back. My problem was solved.

 

I really appreciate this forum, it just saved me more money! I took the cover off of the steering column, moved some of the grease around and voila! it goes up and down full range now. I will go to lexus on monday and get the appropriate grease. Since the Toyota service was open I decided to drop by and ask them about the grease, this guy tells me "their is no grease in the motor, and for 72.95 they will diagnose the problem" - take a Lexus to a Lexus service dept I guess?!?

 

I have this same problem, however I notice it is intermittent. Mine usually doens't come all the way up when I shut off the car and I don't notice until the bottom of the wheel rubs against my leg on the way out :eek: . I can usually bring it back by moving the wheel all the way down and then back up again.

Actually this feature has always sort of annoyed me anyway. I'm not sure I like that mechanical whirring sound of the steering wheel as my greeting from the car every time I start it up. I read on another post that this setting can be deleted through the codes by the dealer (CBEST settings?). I am going to look into that. I think I would prefer a "set it and leave it" type of thing. Perhaps this would be an alternative for you as well.

TQM_V8