Telescoping Steering Wheel...

[UKenGB]

Well BMW UK did stump up for most of the cost of replacing the motor, for which I am grateful, but then it shouldn't really have failed after only 35K miles.

After some further research it is apparent that the motor does indeed include the position sensors so it makes for an expensive repair when just the sensor is faulty. I wish I had the old motor to look at this further and see if it is possible to fix it, but as they paid for the new one, BMW wanted the old one back. Let's hope I don't need to find out in the future.

[AzX5]

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

Problem solved! With engine off and key in position II, I tapped the lever up a few times and it moved. It's as if there wasn't a problem to begin with.

I will have to try this. Did the problem ever come back? My wheel lowered all the way down by itself when I turned my 530i off yesterday and won't go back up now. It still telescopes in/out no problem.

[explicitdwk]

good luck at the stealer

[chilliwilli]

Originally Posted by AzX5

I will have to try this. Did the problem ever come back? My wheel lowered all the way down by itself when I turned my 530i off yesterday and won't go back up now. It still telescopes in/out no problem.

Nope..problem never returned and it's been well over a year

[AzX5]

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

Nope..problem never returned and it's been well over a year

Thanks. Didn't work for me.

[joeboch348]

i've had my motors replaced while under warranty. now out of warranty i need another out motor. it goes all the way in but not all the way back out anymore. whats up with these motors going every couple years. anyone ever replace one? im looking for a DIY

[timmyc]

Extremely old post but this is where I found the fix for my issue.

Telescoping steering wheel stopped going UP and DOWN. It still went in and out but only moved about a half and inch up and down. Worse yet, it decided to stop all the way up. Felt like I was driving a city bus.

I found the fix from the OP. So it is really easy. With the car in position 2 and not running (this condition may be totally irrelevant) I just bumped the stalk a bunch of times to get the wheel to the lowest position (remember, mine was all the way up) and then it just worked! That's a first!

Who knows how long this will last, but I am super stoked that I can drive the car in my normal position for now.

Props to chilliwilli for posting the fix.