Telescopic and Tilt wheel inop - newbie

[denversun]

Hello everyone, I just purchased a used 2002 X5 and this is my first post. Please, be kind.

I am sure this is a known problem, but couldn't find the solution on my searches. I did however come across people with similar problems with respondents who said "go to the dealer".

ISSUE: The telescoping wheel does not work nor does the tilt. I've heard that it could be that the motors have gone bad. Interestingly, I also noticed that the memory controls do not work either - which, as far as I know, adjust the seat, mirrors and wheel (red memory light will illiminate, thats it). Mirrors and seat work fine with switches. I can live without the memory working, but the wheel is in the utmost position and close to the dash - very annoying.

WHAT I HAVE DONE: I ordered used motors from eBay based on the part number I found at real oem .com . I tested one of them in the vehicle by disconnecting the harness and plugging into the used motor. NOTHING HAPPENED. Could I have purchased bad motors? maybe. I bench tested the eBay motor by connecting 12v with alligator clips to the motor leads - motor worked perfectly. So, long story short, I used the same method in the x5.... disconnected the motors, attached alligator clips to the motor leads and guess what, the motors work just fine. I was able to lower the wheel and adjust the telescopic feature to a comfortable position. I am "ok" with it as-is, but naturally would like it to work properly!

OTHER ITEMS TO NOTE:
- Steering column adjustment switch appears to be working properly as I test each position with a multimeter.
- Fuses all tested fine, all connections tight.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
- Could there be an issue with the driver seat attenuation unit? I thought I read somewhere that this is where all memory settings are kept.
- Could the small circuit boards on the motors have gone bad? During bench testing the eBay-purchased motors wouldn't work unless I connected directly to the soldered leads on the motor.
- Is there a central control unit (brain) that could be the source of the problem?

Like I said, this isn't the end of the world, but I am one of those guys that isn't completely satisfied until things work as engineered. However, I am not the person who likes to fork over a blank check to a dealer unless absolutely necessary.

Any constructive thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!