Steering Angle Sensor Fault - United Bimmer Community

**Darwin325** · 08-31-2010, 02:32 AM

On the weekend, the ASC light lit up & so did the Handbrake light ( in orange ) on my E46 325 2001
Traction control is not working & does not matter how many times i press the ASC button, I can not reactivate it. I have disconnected the battery & still nothing.
I just had a lower control arm replaced last week for the ball joint & the steering wheel is slightly askew, I do not think the wheel alignment was done properly as there is a slight tow with the steering.
A mate has a diagnostic tool, plugged it in & reads steering sensor is reading the fault.

Will a wheel alignment & reset of the computer solve my problem, or may there be something further to look at?

Cheers

E46 325 2001

Big Evil · 08-31-2010, 09:51 AM

Maybe is the only answer. It depends if any damage was done to the sensor/wiring during the repair. The steering sensors on these can be tricky and very delicate, say a tech had to hammer a control arm out or in and made a wild swing.........

I'd get the alignment done, have the code cleared drive it around a bit and see if it comes back (hopefully it doesn't).

**Darwin325** · 09-01-2010, 02:56 AM

Immediately after the repair, I put it on the hoist at work to see if all is how it should be. I noticed some flat spots on the arm & some greasy hand prints, but at least all the nuts & bolts are in place.

The mech i used does work on the fleet cars that i help manage ( usually toyota & fords ), he is a bit of a rough mech, but i thought its just a control arm right... What could have they damaged when replacing the arm, what should I look for? Isnt the sensor under the dash?

I have the B-M-trouble-you booked in again with them to address the alignment issue & have him reset the system. I can tear him a new one if they dont fix my ASC. I just need to know what to look for.

Thankyou.

Big Evil · 09-07-2010, 05:55 PM

According to BMW factory, the steering angle sensors are delicate enough that if you don't use the "lock pin" to keep the steering column from spinning upon install you can destroy a brand new sensor right out of the box (ie. a 360 degree rotation while not installed can destroy them). If you mechanic was banging away on something it's POSSIBLE that he may have hit something else and shocked the sensor. Hopefully though, it all just goes away and works.