Ls400 Steering Column Motor - Replace (Where From?) Or Repair

[nhoward]

I have just bought another LS400 after a gap of 6 years having got fed up of the unreliability of my V10 Touareg. It is the same year as my last one (1999) with 36K on the clock. I did 180K in the last one and am hoping for the same this time :-)

The steering column adjusts up and down but the motor controlling the in and out is not working. can anyone suggest if this might be lack of use, motor gone or a connection? Has it happened to anyone else? I have the car booked in at Lexus Exeter for them to have a look on Monday, but would rather go in armed with my own info.

A secondary point is the sat nav which works sometimes and not others. It is displaying a message that the CD is not readable. Is this likely to be lack of use/dust in the unit in the boot or something more serious. Is there someone known to this forum that can look at and repaair these units. Th emain dealer will simply tell me to buy another unit at £lots which I won't be doing.

Finally, if anyone wants a very cheap V10 Touareg then let me know!

Nick

[steve2006]

That was a nice find a 1999 model with just 36,000 miles on the clock, care to post up a picture or two?

Apparently the motor fails and the only option is a replacement motor, I also seem to remember there was a TSB relating to the alignment of the steering column which may also be a factor.

The same motor is used in other Toyota models but considerably cheaper than the "Lexus" branded one.

Regards the sat nav it may be worth checking the condition of the disc or replace it with the latest upgrade.

As for the V10 Towrag, I'll pass on the offer no offence.

[nhoward]

Thank you Steve

The tip about the motor being the same as some Toyota models is excellent - thank you very much. If it is diagnosed on Monday as being this part then I will get the part number and head straight for a Toyota dealer.

I will put a cleaner through the sat nav and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't I will wait for a breaker to come up and sort it that way.

I will post some photos soon. Ideally the mileage should be kept low, but I am using it for work and do 20-25K per annum. I've had some 'big cruisers' over the years but the LS400 is the only car that has managed my ultimate test of keeping on cruise control at 140 mph all the way from Bristol to Exeter (early on a summers morning when there is no traffic about I should add!)

Nick