Telescoping problem

mpfi3100

New member
First of all, I did a search, and all the threads I found, the links came up either not found, or lead to what looks like a site that no longer works, and goes to a weird search thing.

I want to take apart my steering column and see if it is fixable, and hoping to find a good write up, but the links from Lincolnsclub no longer work.

Does anyone know of where I can find a writeup?

I did find this thread: http://www.lincolnsofdistinction.org/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=203303&postcount=9 that has some useful pics, but was wondering if someone that something more detailed.
 

beerdog

New member
I just took 2 apart over the last 2 weeks and reassembled them. You will need a special tool to remove the spring. I really don't think it can be done without the tool or at least making an equivelent tool. Do you have the ford manual describing the tear down procedure? I will be posting pics of what I did today or tomorrow.

What problem are you having?
 
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mpfi3100

New member
no, the book is on my "to get" list still.

The tilting works fine, but the telescoping is all the way out and will not go back in. There is no play in the column at all, but would like for it to work correctly.
 

beerdog

New member
Review this thread I just added. I would take it out and remove the cover for an inspection. Do you know how to remove the steering wheel? Your problem could be several things. Bad motor, bad potentiometer, dirty potentiometer, twisted tilt actuator rod, disconnected potentiometer, bad switch. It seems the most common reason seen over the years is a dirty potentiometer.

http://www.lincolnsofdistinction.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=33290
 
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beerdog

New member
I just installed the column I rebuilt in Sharon's 98. Her's was not exending and had a "crunchy" feel. The rebuilt one moves real smooth although the extension does not work right. The Motors work. The extension moves invery smooth, but will not extend out well. It only extends out when tilted all the way up. If I tilt it down it will not go out. I tested everything manually before reinstalling the motors and it moved very smoothly in all directions.

Try making yours extend at different tilt positions. Maybe we both have the same problem.

I am thinking maybe a bad switch? Anyone know if the clock spring is tied into the tilt/extension ciruitry?
 
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beerdog

New member
Did a little more checking. The column will also extend when tilted all the way down. When ever the switch is pressed for retraction you can feel the motor getting a signal. Whn it does not extend you do not feel the motor getting a signal. The extension motor seems to labor more, but maybe that means nothing since I have never looked at it close. Also, when it extends it does not extend all the way. Need to get access to a fully functional car to compare to.

Maybe someone with a Gen 2 could get their head under there and actuate their motors to see if the extension motor is louder than the tilt motor.
 
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beerdog

New member
I read through the diagnostic procedures. all paths lead to either the mult-function switch, the motor, or the SCIL module. Obviously there could also be a open or intermittent condition somewhere in the wires. There are various procuders for checking different connectors pins for voltages and resistence. I will post some details later once I try them. One quick option is to check the tilt and telescoping motor connectors for voltages. Just hook up a volt meter and see what you get when the switch is activated in each direction. I will do this tonight.

I looked at the red car's column a little closer. I get a motor click in all switch directions except telescope out. This column does not move at all, but is also the one with the twisted tilt rod I posted pics of. Regardless, it seems like I am not getting volts when the telescope out switch is activated on either car.
 

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
I haven't had one of these apart, but is it possible there exists a "maximum extension" limit switch that could be stuck closed? if the car "thinks" the column is fully extended, it won't engage the motor.. I just don't know how it determines full extension.
 

steve

With "LOD" Since 1997
There was a TSB for dealers to install a cable to limit the extension.

I haven't had one of these apart, but is it possible there exists a "maximum extension" limit switch that could be stuck closed? if the car "thinks" the column is fully extended, it won't engage the motor.. I just don't know how it determines full extension.
 

beerdog

New member
The cable is there to keep the column from comming fully out and onto your lap while driving. I doubt the column would extent to reach the max length of the cable.

There is no limit switch, but you may be on the right path. The position is sensed by the potentiometer. It may be possible to get a bad signal from that. Or the controller could be bad and thinks it is fully extended.

When I reinstalle dit the column was fully out. It was easliy retracting but would not extend which was wierd. That tells me the potentiometer, cicuitry, and the motor works. That is why I am leaning towards the switch or controller.
 

beerdog

New member
Mike...you are onto something. I put a volt meter across the motor connector. I get 12V when actuating the switch in both directions. The column was all the way in at this point. I reconnected it and extended the column out untill it stopped. It does not go very far just an inch or 2 and then stops. Definetly not as far as it should go. I recheck the switch and it is at 0volts in extension but will deliver 12V to retract it. For some reason the system is cutting out the power after an inch of extension.

Maybe the system senses resistence and cuts the power.


The mystery continues.............
 
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john98

New member
Did you ever figure out the issue? I am having the same symptoms and am stumped. The tilt goes in and out just fine, down just fine, but after about and an inch or so, it won't go back up. Once this happens it won't go back in. I haere the relay(?) clicking on down, but on up it doesn't click after the one inch mark. I have replaced the potentiometer and the clock-spring, both motors work fine (i can jump them in both directions.
 
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