Ok, for the next guy:
If you buy a brand new steering angle sensor, it will come NOT coded for a particular VIN, or if you get a used one it will come coded for the vehicle from which it was pulled. So you have to code the new sensor to your car VIN (or re-code it in case of the used one).
OK, before you electrically disconnect the faulty steering angle sensor, do this:
- Fire up BMW Scanner v1.4.0
- Navigate to the LEW (Steering Angle Sensor) section
- Click on "Read EEPROM".
- You will now have the EEPROM data contained in your broken sensor in a file called LEW_eep.bin.
- Rename the above file to something like: original_LEW_eep.bin
- Notice that the top right of the window shows the last 7 of your VIN
Ok, now that you have the contents of your original sensor's EEPROM on your harddrive, do the following:
- Install the new sensor and connect it to the wiring harness.
- Fire up BMW Scanner again
- Navigate to LEW screen.
- Just for kicks, backup the new sensor's EEPROM too (you never know, it may come handy)...
- Rename the new sensor's eeprom file to: stock_LEW_eep.bin
- Notice that the top right of the window does NOT show your VIN. If the sensor is brand new it is blank, if used it has some other VIN.
Now, to the fun part: writing the original EEPROM data unto the new sensor!
- Back in BMW Scanner, LEW section, click on the bottom left "folder" icon
- Double click the "original_LEW_eep.bin" file
- Click on the "Write EEPROM" button
- Watch the writing process (don't bite your nails)... It takes about 2 mins
- After it completes, close BMW Scanner and remove the car key
- Put the key back in and turn ON ignition
- Launch BMW Scanner
- Navigate to LEW section
- Notice that the VIN on top right of window now matches your VIN
- Click on the "Reprogramming" button on the left
- Click on the "LEW Adaptation" button
At this point the trifecta lights will go out (hopefully to never come back!) and you're back in business!
Enjoy!