Active steering issue

Tiny
NASER NASER
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 BMW 530I
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,000 MILES
Active steering light on, tried to calibrate it but it wont do it. Here is the code. When it asks me to put the steering straight ahead and zero the angle, it is in the thousands, not as usual where its few degrees, and turning the steering does not change the value.
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Saturday, June 6th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,241 POSTS
Looks like it needs a new steering angle sensor if the value isn't changing, that or the sensor isn't properly installed. You might get it to do something if you follow the initialization process. Start by disconnecting the battery, leave it off for at least a minute. Now reconnect it, Start the engine, turn left to the lock, then right to the lock. Move it back to center. Shut it off and wait 30 seconds. Now just turn on the key. If the warning goes away the sensor is starting to fail but might work a while yet.
If nothing and there still is no angle change then I'd look at the wiring and finally the sensor.
The sensor is part of the stalk assembly so it will need reprogramming if replaced. Then you can do the calibration.
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Saturday, June 6th, 2020 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
NASER NASER
  • MEMBER
  • 836 POSTS
Disconnected battery for a while, connected it back, started car, turned steering both ways then center. Turned car off, then waited, turned ignition on, light still there. Have not checked whether angle changes. Does this have anything to do with the little pump I see in the front, in front of the stabilizer bar? I see it has some wiring going in and out of it, and that the stabilizer bar bushing bracket is broken off, not sure if that has anything to do with it and bushing bracket is broken off the frame, the plate that is.
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Sunday, June 14th, 2020 AT 7:39 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,241 POSTS
Those parts are unrelated to the steering angle sensor. It lives in the steering column. A bad or shorted sensor will not show angle changes and you get the issue you are having.
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Sunday, June 14th, 2020 AT 11:00 AM

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