CLK500 steering adjustment not working

[philnewmerc]

Hi everyone I hope you can help. My new to me clk500 has electrically operated tilt and reach adjust steering wheel, but it is not moving. When you move the the buttons to move the steering I do hear what I think is a click but no motor sounds and no movement. I have read that hitting the steering wheel while pressing the button in the direction you want it to move can free up the motors. I just wondered if there is a separate fuse for this? I can't see it on the fuse list though. Any other tips would be much appreciated, thank you

 

[sgregory124]

Sounds like you have a similar problem to me (i've fixed mine now). My tilt stopped working with the same 'click' when you tried to adjust (although reach was fine), instead of hitting the wheel - which I didn't like doing, I simply put all my weight on it and pulled down, whilst using the down adjustment lever, which freed the column/motor(s).

If you're hearing the click I would suggest the motor power isn't the problem, more likely the motor/gear is stuck at its upper limit as mine was (do you have convenience entry/exit enabled? - if on your model).

 

[philnewmerc]

Sounds like you have a similar problem to me (i've fixed mine now). My tilt stopped working with the same 'click' when you tried to adjust (although reach was fine), instead of hitting the wheel - which I didn't like doing, I simply put all my weight on it and pulled down, whilst using the down adjustment lever, which freed the column/motor(s).

If you're hearing the click I would suggest the motor power isn't the problem, more likely the motor/gear is stuck at its upper limit as mine was (do you have convenience entry/exit enabled? - if on your model).

Hi, thanks for the info. My tilt and reach both don't move which makes me suspicious that is is something other than stuck, but on the other hand there is what appears to be a relay clicking so suggests power and maybe is stuck. There is certainly no motor spinning sound which I suppose is a good thing as it means the drive isn't broken. I've tried hitting and weight but to no avail so far. Maybe some spray lube into the gears might help? Very annoying as its the one thing I didn't test before I bought it!
Convenience mode is off.
Also, my memory seats move but don't seem to have the memory function - not sure if connected??

 

[sgregory124]

Hi, thanks for the info. My tilt and reach both don't move which makes me suspicious that is is something other than stuck, but on the other hand there is what appears to be a relay clicking so suggests power and maybe is stuck. There is certainly no motor spinning sound which I suppose is a good thing as it means the drive isn't broken. I've tried hitting and weight but to no avail so far. Maybe some spray lube into the gears might help? Very annoying as its the one thing I didn't test before I bought it!
Convenience mode is off.
Also, my memory seats move but don't seem to have the memory function - not sure if connected??

The fact that your reach adjustment doesn't work either would potentially suggest something other than jammed gears, do you hear the click on that (reach adjustment) too? Someone who helped me on my thread did suggest that with some trim removal you can expose the worm gear which can be lubricated, something which i'd like to do at some point - although that advice is for a W205 C class, I can't imagine it would be massively different for your car?

 

[philnewmerc]

Yes all directions jave an audible click but no movement. Have tried to steering wheel whacking technique! but to no avail. I have it booked in for a Star scan soon so will see if they find anything. I suppose the good thing is i cannot hear motors spinning so nothing is broken in the drive (I assume). Just irritating i cannot get perfect position - i think it has jammed with the wheel at the top of it's travel. Thanks for the advice

 

[philnewmerc]

So I have been quoted ~£500 by a reputable Mercedes specialist to fit a used working steering column. Does that sound ok or a bit steep???

 

[sgregory124]

So I have been quoted ~£500 by a reputable Mercedes specialist to fit a used working steering column. Does that sound ok or a bit steep???

That sounds pretty good to be fair, i've seen people mention quotes well into mid four figures from dealers....

 

[philnewmerc]

OK good to know. I am going to let an auto electrician have a look first just to make doubly sure there's no wiring, relay or other issues going on first... will report back so others might benefit

 

[philnewmerc]

Follow-up from auto electrician: He said the motor position sensors were not working therefore it needed a replacement column. However, him poking around with it has triggered one of the motors (in/out telescopic one) to fire back into life, so it's half fixed! This to me sounds like what has happened is the motors have not turned for so long that they need a little movement to get to a clean spot on the commutator (hypothesis!). So my next goal will be to try and reach to up/down tilt motor are try and rotate the motor a little to get it back on a good bit of commutator - I don't suppose anyone knows of a good guide to do this, or done it themselves?

I hope this info is useful to other. Thanks.

 

[philnewmerc]

Anyone managed to free up a non-working steering wheel electric tilt adjuster? Apparently hitting the wheel while operating the buttons can do it, but no luck so far on mine...

My plan is the strip the wheel adjustment until I can (hopefully) get to the motor, then rotate the motor in order to get it spinning (assuming it's not burnt out or anything... any other suggestions gratefully received !

 

[philnewmerc]

Just an update: I decided to follow this guide to get to the motors (one decided to start working - see above - one not working). I wanted to waggle the connectors, rotate the motors in case bushes iffy etc. Now I have 2 non-working electric steering motors
So, I will now book it in with the specialist and see what he thinks. What a pita... will never think electric adjust is cool again lol

 

[colinallcars]

Just an update: I decided to follow this guide to get to the motors (one decided to start working - see above - one not working). I wanted to waggle the connectors, rotate the motors in case bushes iffy etc. Now I have 2 non-working electric steering motors
So, I will now book it in with the specialist and see what he thinks. What a pita... will never think electric adjust is cool again lol

Checked the fuses?

 

[philnewmerc]

Checked the fuses?

Yep, all ok... One motor was working anyway so not those.

 

[philnewmerc]

Checked the fuses?

Yep, all ok... One motor was working so not those.

 

[philnewmerc]

Now 1 or the 2 motors has started working again (the telescopic reach one- hurray!). This makes me pause before spending 500 quid on a new secondhand steering column... i mean are they all this iffy?

 

[philnewmerc]

Solved: If your w203 or w209 electrically adjustable steering wheel is stuck, then once you have tried the usual (check if motor is dead or dogbone is snapped, reset motor limits etc) then you can manually power the up/down and in/out motors by applying ground and 12v to the GREEN and BLACK terminals (the red and brown are the Hall sensor terminals). That manually powers up the motors without the control module commanding it (which is often the reason they won't move). Hope that helps