Steering wheel controls don't work - LX470

[KingCruiser]

I picked up my 2005 LX470. No steering wheel controls are working. Any chance its a simple fix like a fuse or??? If not, suggestion on what the problem might be. I am installing the USA SPEC BT adapter to get the iPod and hands free phone working.

Also the heads up display doesn't work either - not a big one but would like it to work even if the 33" tires throws the wrong speed.

 

[Hokie LX]

Does your horn work?

When my clock spring cable broke in the steering column, I lost my steering wheel controls and horn functionality. I also heard a slight cable rubbing on plastic noise when I turned the wheel but YMMV on that clue.

 

[KingCruiser]

Horn works

 

[KingCruiser]

Just wanted to bring this up again to see if there was an easy solution

 

[jerryb]

there isn't.

I suppose I'd take the steering wheel pad off and check the ribbon cable that goes from one switch to the other. Reseat that and try again.
then all fuses, clean and re install.
then radio plug with the steering wheel button wires in them. Should be 3 wires, alll in a row, white/red black/red and brown.
If you just got that car and those are two obvious problems from day one I would assume someone has messed with the radio.

this is 2004, should be same regarding stereo plugs.

 

[KingCruiser]

Thx. That seems like a task I can complete

 

[utilidor]

I had an intermittent airbag light and the radio controls were acting up as well. Only had volume up, not down. Replaced the clock spring and all was good!

 

[Gaets]

Thx. That seems like a task I can complete

Did you ever sort out the tilt/telescoping wheel problem? I have a 1998 LX470 that has an after market stereo and no tilting or telescoping whatsoever. No noise, grinding, groaning, just silence. I am wondering if you ever tracked down a fuse or a wire problem. It seems suspicious for both adjustments not to be working at all.

 

[dstewart3ss]

FWIW…..when I got my ‘04 LX last year my steering wheel controls were not working. The dealer I bought it from had been messing around in the steering column (likely working on a problem with the VGRS system). Replacing the clock spring fixed the steering wheel controls.

 

[Gaets]

FWIW…..when I got my ‘04 LX last year my steering wheel controls were not working. The dealer I bought it from had been messing around in the steering column (likely working on a problem with the VGRS system). Replacing the clock spring fixed the steering wheel controls.

I appreciate it. I'll keep it in mind as I start taking things apart and figuring it out.

 

[robbyfj62]

I appreciate it. I'll keep it in mind as I start taking things apart and figuring it out.

Hey there! Curious what you discovered in your search to get the steering wheel adjustment system operable. I have just picked up a 1998 LX470 with the exact same diagnosis.

 

[Gaets]

Hey there! Curious what you discovered in your search to get the steering wheel adjustment system operable. I have just picked up a 1998 LX470 with the exact same diagnosis.

Hey! I never ended up doing that project. The previous owner told me that he felt the motors dying in the column. Wisely, he got the wheel into the best position he could with the final grinding death of the unit. It has stayed in that position since I have owned it for about four years now. I started looking around and hearing about people worried that this project would somehow get involved with the airbag system. Another guy said that it cost him $1600 at the dealer to have it done. My rig has 340,000 miles on it, I have duct tape on the seat, it’s a real battle ax. I am thinking that unless I end up putting a new motor in it, I will just leave the wheel where it is. I wish I could help more.

 

[robbyfj62]

Hey! I never ended up doing that project. The previous owner told me that he felt the motors dying in the column. Wisely, he got the wheel into the best position he could with the final grinding death of the unit. It has stayed in that position since I have owned it for about four years now. I started looking around and hearing about people worried that this project would somehow get involved with the airbag system. Another guy said that it cost him $1600 at the dealer to have it done. My rig has 340,000 miles on it, I have duct tape on the seat, it’s a real battle ax. I am thinking that unless I end up putting a new motor in it, I will just leave the wheel where it is. I wish I could help more.

No worries! I appreciate the response nonetheless. It's hard to tell if this is a steering motor issue or not, there's only about 170k miles on this rig.... but who knows. I may try to grab at least one motor from a yard and see if that is indeed the issue. Like yours, mine is in a drivable position, but it is reminiscent of driving a school bus. It appears that there was likely some water incursion into the cab via the windshield at some point. Wondering if that nuked the control module.... Will continue to putz around with it and report back if I figure it out.