Steering Column Repair: Steering adjustment operation, acura rl, 2002 acura rl

Question
My wife's car is a 2002 Acura RL.  Recently when I got in to drive I pressed the button to move the steering column up and nothing happened.  I didn't hear the motor engage so I thought the switch was bad...It has a four way switch and the in and out part worked fine. I took it to the dealer and they gave it back with it in the full up position.  They told me I would need to replace the entire column and it would cost $3,300 When I got back.  I asked if there were separate motors that control both functions....they told me yes.  Then I called the parts guy and he said there was only one motor in the column....I'm getting mixed reviews about what needs to be replaced. My thought is that it is either it is as simple as the switch or maybe a motor or a fiber gear but why replace the whole column....What are your thoughts about why the column goes in and out but doesn't go up and down......Thanks for your help.....Frank.

Answer

Acura column Hello Frank:

In researching your vehicle, I was not able to determine if there are 1 or 2 motors in your column.  Although either may be true, the only way Acura sells any parts is by selling entire column as one assembly.  The price for this part is $2539.  We can obtain it wholesale and sell it for $2150.00.
Here is a picture of the column breakdown in the Acura parts book.
The only other option I would recommend is trying to find a good used column.  Those can probably be purchased for between $250 & $500 and would work just fine.

Good luck
Doug