98 LSC steering Column tilt fails

[Frat-man-du]

Ok, I have an issue that I know the gang here at LVC can assist with.

The up/down tilf does not always operate on my LSC. The in/out works fine. When I try to move up or down the Display tells me that it has saved the Driver's setting, but the steering wheel never moved. I don't hear a click, nor does any of the lights dim (maybe indicating a power drain). But every once in a while the tilt will work fine - the entire time the car is on. As soon as I shut off and open the door the steering wheel retracts to the default position for enter/exit of the car, it will immediatly fail to operate. It might be days before it works again.

Lincoln (without any real diagnostics) told me it is the motor and is no longer available and cannot be serviced - live with it. I find this hard to beleve.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Frat-man-du

Current stable:
98 LSC
00 Stang Vert
94 E-150 Conversion Van
65 TBird Vert
65 TBird Coupe
96 Haulmark 28' enclosed race trailer - for sale
64 Austin Healy

Gone but not forgotten:
95 Mark VIII - lost the oil pan at WOT
92 Merc Grand Marque Police package
90 TC
85 TBird Fila

 

[AquaLS01]

My 97 does the same thing. If you bang on the steering wheel it will tilt up and down until you exit the car again. The dealer is right. I have just learned to live with it.

 

[Frogman]

There are several articles pertaining to your problem, IIRC.

 

[Frat-man-du]

Thanks all.

I did see the Tech page on the column but wasnt sure if that covered my symptoms.

Long live the Mark...

 

[Marked1]

ive experienced the same symptoms, on and off.... just like aqua said, i bang on it and so far its been working... just a pain...

 

[Frat-man-du]

ive experienced the same symptoms, on and off.... just like aqua said, i bang on it and so far its been working... just a pain...

At least I am not alone in my frustration.
Thanks.

 

[Grampa Caligula]

Have you tried . . .

Have you tried applying firm (but gentle) upward pressure at the top of the steering wheel? That seems to work (at least for me), and you don't look like a mad monkey banging on your car innards!
In my car, at least (Gen2), it feels like there's a switch that doesn't trip when the steering wheel goes to the 'rest' position. I keep saying I'm going to rip that puppy out and see for myself, but I am too consumed with fear.

 

[Frat-man-du]

Have you tried applying firm (but gentle) upward pressure at the top of the steering wheel? That seems to work (at least for me), and you don't look like a mad monkey banging on your car innards!
In my car, at least (Gen2), it feels like there's a switch that doesn't trip when the steering wheel goes to the 'rest' position. I keep saying I'm going to rip that puppy out and see for myself, but I am too consumed with fear.

Thanks I have not tried the pressure, I will try on the way home tonight.

 

[Grampa Caligula]

If it works for someone else, I'll be less hesitant to tear into it.

 

[Shaun 97VIII]

My 97 does the same thing. If you bang on the steering wheel it will tilt up and down until you exit the car again. The dealer is right. I have just learned to live with it.

lol, my 97 does it too!

 

[maskmarkman]

I jerked the hell out mine and then I had to completely rebuild my steering wheel column on my 97 gen 2. In my case the column came apart into two parts which left me with one upper part in my hands and one lower part of the steering column still in the dash. Some larger ball bearing came out of it as well. The bearings turn out to be part of the power telescopic but I couldn't drive with a two part steering column.

It sounds like your tilt wheel shift is binding up or the motor is one. I would test the eletrictral parts first (switch, motor). On the gen 2 and at the bottom of your steering column is two motors. One is for the "power tilt" and the other is for the "power telescopic". The motor for the power tilt is hook up to a long colaspeible shift that runs from the motor up to the tilt wheel joint behind the steering wheel. This shift move up and down when the telescopic is used. When you apply pressure you might be unbinding the shift and it starts to work for you? Just don't pissed and jerk the hell out it like I did...

 

[97benchmark]

My 97 had both problems. If the column won't come down put slight upward pressure on the wheel when it starts to move. The part is called the "potentiometer", for up/down movement. A common problem. I hope it's ok to mention the "other" site. Go to markviii.org, There is a write up with pictures on how to replace it. The ball bearings are for forward/backward movement of the column. They are held together in a plastic cage. The fix is also on the other site. There was a recall on the column to put in a cable to limit the outward travel. Over extension is what breaks the ball bearing cage. Put the cable in to prevent future problems. BTW, the recall has expired, you have do it on your own dime.

 

[Frat-man-du]

Thanks I have not tried the pressure, I will try on the way home tonight.

Sure enough a little upward pressure and she works perfectly. Worked for 4 days now. Cool. Looks like I will have to replace the potentiometer.

Thanks eveyone!!!!

LVC rocks!