I have just bought the car and it is an amazing value. However I am 6'4" and it's hard to get in or out. I removed the column covers and did a current check on the motor. When I lift up the switch I can hear the relay click, and the motor draws about 12 amps with no movement. The breaker will quickly open and reset itself in 15 seconds or so. To remove the motor it looks like I have to remove the bottom section of the dashboard. Is this as hard as it looks? I imagine the motor turns a worm gear, is there any way to remove just the gear so I can position the wheel and then lock it back in place by reinstalling the motor and worm gear. Could the motor be bad and still draw current like a locked rotor? current draw is same, switch up or down. I ALMOST put 24 volts to the motor while it was unplugged, just one second in each direction. I keep the auto switch off. Slide pot for memory checks good.
Many Thank's
Richard.
ps what is that huge allen head socket on the right side of the column assembly? It screams, DON'T TOUCH ME!

 

I found the problem, the motor's shaft is a worm gear that turns a nylon gear in the column and a couple of the teeth on the nylon gear were bet over. After wiping all the white grease so I could see better I used my Dremmel with the smallest engraving ball bit I could find and repaired the teeth as best I could. Now when it runs you cah hear when the nylon gear makes one turn and the damaged area goes by but it it getting better the more I use it. Yes, I did put fresh white grease on the gears.
Cheers,
Richard.

 

Richard
I am having the same problem with my 01 millenia.
How bad was it to get the motor off??
Thanks
Joe

 

It is not too hard, I finally cut the rectangular cutout below the motor to gain access to the philips screws that hold the motor in. I had planed on regluing the panel but it is not visible so I left it as is. You might also try to loosen the four screws so the motor is slightly loose and slide the motor around while you operater the up down switch, you can sometimes find a good section of teeth for the worm gear. Be advised that it will only try to run for about 2 secounds before the thermal cutout takes over. It self re-sets in about 5 secounds. If this does not work you will have to remove all 4 screws and operate the motor to be sure it is not frozen or locked up. Good Luck. Mine is still working fine.
Richard