Description & Operation

WARNING: Deactivate air bag system before performing any service operation. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article. DO NOT apply electrical power to any component on steering column without first deactivating air bag system. Air bag may deploy.

This system provides automatic tilt and telescopic mechanisms using a telescopic motor with position sensor, tilt motor with tilt position sensor, tilt and telescopic switch and tilt and telescopic ECU. See Fig 1.

Vehicles are equipped with a power tilt and telescopic steering column feature. Adjustment is made by moving switch located on left side of steering column. Selected movement signal is sent to tilt and telescopic Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Tilt and telescopic ECU then sends signal to tilt and telescopic motors to adjust them to selected position.

Power tilt steering column also contains an automatic feature for easier vehicle exits. When key is removed from ignition, tilt and telescopic ECU will adjust column tilt fully upward and telescope fully retracted. When key is installed in ignition, previous tilt and telescopic settings will return.

If tilt and telescopic ECU detects a malfunction, ECU stores a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in memory. DTCs may be accessed using Toyota Hand-Held Tester (scan tool) connected to Data Link Connector 3 (DLC3), and active tests performed.

Fig 1: Locating Power Tilt Steering Column System Components