Telescoping steering column won't work

Tiny
ANDORIA4454
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
  • 67,334 MILES
2002 Corvette coupe w/six speed manual, The powered telescoping steering column won't work with the switch on the side of the steering column or when using the memory button for the seat position/steering column adjustment. I don't hear the motor running.

The dash display has started to say; service abs, service active handling. This comes on only once in 10 to 15 times I start the car. IF I shut the car off and restart it won't do it again for several weeks. Is it all related?

Thanks, this site is great!
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Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 AT 7:00 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
The ABS and Active Handling are related and work together as there is an angle sensor for steering and the actual angle to rear wheels to see if front end is sliding or if rea end is sliding. Ther is probably a part that is starting to fail intermitantly. You can have the trouble codes pulled for a morde definitive anser. Any Advance Auto or Auto Zone will do this for free.
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Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
ANDORIA4454
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  • 3 POSTS
I checked and there are no codes. I am more concerned about the steering column not going in and out.
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Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
I am providing you with the schematic for the steering column with the telescoping components shown. There is a disassemled schematic, (which I had to break into 2 parts FIG3 diagram is 1 and the numerical description is 2), and an assembled view. You can correlate how it goes together by looking at the 2 views. I also gave you the wiring diagram for the telescoping circuit.
The first thing to do is check the fuse to make sure it is good. Then verify that the telescoping motor is getting 12 volts when the switch is actuated or the memory function to move it into place is activated. You may be able to hear it moving. If there is not 12 volts available to the motor, if it has 12 volts then the motor needs to be replaced. Then look at the wiring diagram so you can look for shorts and check grounds for a tight and corrosion free fit. If everything seems okay electrically, then take a look at the schematics and see if a part is loose such as an electrical connector or a bracket or the motor.
If everything is tight and all connectors are connected and there are no shorts and grounds are good. The mechanical can be ruled out as far as everything is tight and connected. Also, the basic function of the elctrical system is okay as far as the fuse, and there are no shorts and the grounds are not an issue. From there you will need to test the different modules of the elctrical system and test electronic components for proper voltage and/or resistance levels.
Let me know how it goes. Hopefully you won't have to go further as testing the electronics is a tough diagnostic. Just let me know if you need to performa it and want to do it and I will give you direction as much as possible to do so. However you will be limited in that some stuff will be circuit board level testing and requires special electronic test fixtures for specific panels or pinouts for the panels which are not provided in the manual that I have. I will give you as much as I can but it will have a limit as to what you can test without very specialized testing tools.
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Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 AT 12:31 AM
Tiny
ANDORIA4454
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you, your wiring diagram did the trick. I found the red wire at the connector under the seat had pulled loose. That fixed it. I would not have thought of going under the seat to find the problem
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Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 AT 9:01 PM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
That is great news. The wiring diagrams don't always come out vey legible, but those came out really well. I don't always know how they look on the customer end though as some diagrams that looked good on my end were not legible on their end. There is not a way to get them much better in resolution then the way I have to screen capture and tweak them to have the largest font and best resolution. So it is very good news that they were of help to you.
You did great work finding the connector as well. Not all people know how to read wiring diagrams and have trouble correlating the diagram to the car's wiring. So that is a great job on your part as it was a pleasure to help you. Not all customers are as easy to help because they have trouble reading and using wiring diagrams. They can be tough depending on the manufacturer and Chevy, especially for Vettes, are a good diagram for capturing and sending over the web.
It is always great news when things come together to a resolution that takes care of the situation.
We are always here for questions and even just advice. So please come back anytime you even need just some input on anything related to autos. We really have a very knowlegable team of techs and when one of use has a problem with a situation we help each other out to resolve the customers situation.
We're eager to help people, It is always a good feeling when we can help someone when they are in that, "Scrathing your head" situation and need some help.
Take care.

Dr. C
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Thursday, December 15th, 2011 AT 2:36 AM

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