My steering column retract/extend function just broke. I'm not sure where the adjustment is exactly. Could someone please provide photos with the column all the way in and all the way out from the same angle as in my photo?
Thanks.

 

I'm realizing I will have to adjust the telescoping wheel manually. Any suggestions? Can I get at the manual adjuster without removing the column?

 

@ RxRC Do not believe you can manually work both tilt & extend/retract mechanisms w/o disassembling the a whole bunch of steering wheel components to expose the inner mechanical guts.
Presumably, you have check fuse/relays).
Next step is to remove steering wheel covers to get to switch ( for the tilt/extend/retract ) and test for continuity for all the positions.
Follow by checking the two motors ( tilt & extend/retract ) by applying 12 v power to each.
Finally, test position sensors for resistance according to OEM specs.

 

I could try to test the electrical first although the tilt goes up and down just fine. The retract just clicks and the extend does nothing, no sound either.

 

One of the first thing I did eighteen years ago when when I got my RL was turn the steering wheel "Auto" switch to manual and I just left it there. The two First Gen RL forums I was on at the time were littered with "my steering wheel won't tilt," or "my steering wheel won't extend/retract" gripes. The gears are plastic and don't hold-up to decades of adjustment either automatically, or manually, either one, or both functions fail eventually. With your column not extending you can adjust manually with a flat blade screwdriver so at least you can get it to a comfortable driving position so you can drive it and leave it there. See link below.

( )

 

I never had mine in auto possibly the previous owner did.

I thought the extend retract was harder to get at but it seems it may be easier then the tilt? I'll have to give it a go soon.

 

From your pics it looked like the SW is in full retract position already ( hence a click when you push button to retract ? ). No sound when you push button to extend may suggest dirty "extend" contacts. Regardless, best to removed switch and perform the tests per SM to verify R-E motor, switch, sensors and associated wiring (i.e. no open wiring ) are all good. If all these tests turn out good ( I'm assumming the control unit for the SW is OK since it worked for the "tilt" feature. ) , you'll have to pull DTC's using the memory seat buttons in door panel and counting short & long dashes, a royal PITA IMHO.

 

I have no problem with manually adjusting the column and leaving it. Especially the extend/retract. I never moved that anyway, it was my son that used the car and put the wheel all the way in. I wasn't happy about that.

 

So what am I turning or adjusting here? If I turn the broken plastic gear it just spins by itself. ???

 

Looks like your plastic gear melted, instead of breaking, like the guy in the video stated you have to break the plastic pieces out of there so you can manually adjust it.

 

My plastic gear has a piece missing, it's not melted. I didn't find that video helpful at all. There was nothing I could turn with a screwdriver. I loosened the nut that's out of the photo (top green arrow) then the rod would rotate easily so I could get some slack. Then I could sit in the seat and pull/push the steering wheel where I wanted it and tighten the top nut. I did not need to remove the broken plastic part.

 

Anyway, thanks for the help 2000RL and 00RL. I have my steering wheel extended right where I want it. The tilt still works but I won't use it much now. I always had my switch turned off in the past too.

I'm sure you thought as I did when looking at the whole column assembly. How could Honda use those plastic gears? Everything else around it is steel and heavy build.

 

Appreciate the update. Tks.

 

@RxRC BTW. Can you identify the root cause of your steering column problem. Material fatique/wear from years of usage or a component jammed which led to gear being stripped/broken ?
My 2000 RL's SC is still operating flawlessly, touch wood. I've it on Auto 100% in all these years. Just wondering with the amount of grease ( the yellow stuff ) covering components in your pics, how failure could/did occur.
Any insights are welcome.

 

You can see in the photo where the plastic gear failed. In the middle of that photo you should not be able to see the metal. Powerful, fast electric motor, all this metal, the plastic just isn't strong enough.

 

Leaning to putting the auto switch to "OFF" to save myself some future heartache if/when that plastic gear snaps into pieces. Toyota has plastic gear in their tilt/extend/retract SW column too. To consumers its 'Corporate greed', to management its 'Cost reduction'.