Lagunatic

Note: it looks like the Search feature is not working for this site... returns a blank page.

Anyway, the motor that controls the height of my steering wheel seems to have gone bad. It won't automatically raise up and down when turning off/on the car as it always has in the past. I hear the motor running but the steering wheel doesn't move. Thankfully, it's stuck in the down position so it doesn't affect my ability to drive the car. The telescoping motor works fine - its just the up and down motor that doesn't work.

I'm wondering if this is common or if there is a quick fix? If not, it's off to the dealer to get it fixed while I still have a warranty.

Thanks.

john89011

I've got the same problem. I don't think it's a DIY job so if you're still under warranty just take it to the dealer.

loudandheard

I made sure to disable that feature, but I guess it's another electronic thing to go wrong.

glomar83

Happened to me a couple years ago on my c55. I had it repaired under warranty. I could hear the motor running but the steering wheel wouldn't go up and down. I don't know how the dealer fixed it or how much it should have cost.

scrwmpwr

Ok theres an adjustment motor and that motor is connected to the steering column via a driveshaft (plastic dogbone) and unless the motor itself is bad, more than likely youve torn that dogbone.

How does the dogbone tear you ask? if you lean or pull on the steering wheel during tilt adjustment (i.e. when getting in or out of the car with the convenience function on) it puts strain on the driveshaft and eventually it tears in half

after u replace the driveshaft i think u need SDS to normalize the motor

if u have warranty just let them do it

Lagunatic

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I should just take it to the dealer since I still have some time left on my warranty. Will post back the service info once it's fixed.

genechien

i had this problem before. took it to the dealership since my car was still under warranty. apparently there's a plastic tab somewhere in the assembly that's prone to snapping off. when that happens, it jams the thing. i think it's a simple fix.

jkv11503

What do you mean when you say that they need to "SDS to normalize the motor?"

I had my steering transmission (driveshaft and motor assembly) replaced this past week because the tilt stopped moving up and down. Is there some special software adjustment that should be performed after the parts are replaced?

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but this is the best one that I could find that speaks of the problem I am having.

Thanks.
kv

MountainStone

The sound from the adjustment motor is pretty noticable when my steering column is moving, making me think its life is prolly limited. I, too, would be interested to know if anyone has completed this repair on their own.

Tump43

My steering wheel motor has gone out on me twice. First time it was fixed purs. to warranty. I now have an appointment on monday to have it fixed again by an independant who takes my aftermarket warranty.

MountainStone

My steering wheel adjuster quit working yesterday. I hear the motor running but the steering wheel doesn't move (neither with the automatic convenience tilt nor if I try to manually adjust with the button). Has anybody attempted a DIY replacement? Can anybody point me to a manual or other literature to guide me as I attempt to replace mine? Thanx!

Gramma_Benz

There's some threads about it, check the regular W203 forum as well. I think it's actually a very time consuming project and you have to take a part a lot of stuff to do it. However, I also remember someone saying that they were able to bend it in half or something like that to squeeze it in without taking so many things apart.

Good luck, I'm in the same Boat as you.

Basa

I don't get this part about needing SDS to normalize the motor. What is SDS? How can we use / access it?

aussie e55

check todays post in audio and electronics titled how to fix power steer column that will not move up or down dont know why under posted under audio and electronics

Basa

I will check it out. I have opened the panel and now that the kids are in bed, I have a little time to go try to remove the bad part and install the new one.

dontbanme

https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...e-up-down.html

Basa

there is a black bracket made from hard plastic (but thin) that is the main item blocking the culprit part. I tried but so far unsuccessful to remove it - nor was able to remove the connectors attached to it.

If I get mine fixed I can write up the exact steps - but right now I am a good distance from there.

health services

Hope you are not refering to this as the the two hooks on top just bend out of the way.



Be sure to take plenty of clear pictures if you are going to do a how to.

After you do it one time I don't think it is really that hard, its just knowing what not to take off as there is plenty of things that I did not need to take off to get the joint in and out.

Basa

it's just 2 connectors (electrical) on a bracket. That bracket is getting in the way. I couldn't upload the picture from my hard drive for some reason, may be it requies me to first upload it to some online site like photobucket and then post here?

dontbanme

Photobucket is good...if you have trouble email me the picture.

jglisso@gmail.com

dontbanme

Did you complete the repair on the defective tilt steering mechanism?

Basa

No - I am stuck at removing the bracket out of the way in order to get to the broken piece. I actually see it (although from Very tight angle) broken, snapped in two, right from the middle. I see the end attached to the motor churning too.

Another approach I may try is to additionally remove the driver's side dash panel (not the instrument ..., not the center console, etc.). I got stuck at that too for now: the right side of the driver-side dash panel seems held tight where it ends next to the radio, and on the bottom right corner it meets w/ the center piece of the dash - just below the stereo.

Does anybody have instructions that can help me from this point on?

I wish this site would have allowed for direct uploading of image files from my computer. Anyways, dontbanme, I will email you right now the one shot I have which shows that bracket in the way, you can also post it here - so health services can see it too.

Basa

sent ~ 10' ago.

dontbanme

Per Basa...

The bracket has to electrical connectors mounted on it - the bracket is in the way. But forcing it out of the way is Not the answer. These brackets usually are fastened by a screw (if not some latch), However, I can't see nor feel anything like that.

dontbanme

I didn't even notice my steering wheel didn't tilt until I came across this thread. Now it bothers me!