How to code the steering angle sensor to the E53
 

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:

1. Fire up BMW Scanner v1.4.0
2. Navigate to the LEW (Steering Angle Sensor) section
3. Click on "Read EEPROM".
4. You will now have the EEPROM data contained in your broken sensor in a file called LEW_eep.bin.
5. Rename the above file to something like: original_LEW_eep.bin
6. 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:

1. Install the new sensor and connect it to the wiring harness.
2. Fire up BMW Scanner again
3. Navigate to LEW screen.
4. Just for kicks, backup the new sensor's EEPROM too (you never know, it may come handy)...
5. Rename the new sensor's eeprom file to: stock_LEW_eep.bin
6. 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!

1. Back in BMW Scanner, LEW section, click on the bottom left "folder" icon
2. Double click the "original_LEW_eep.bin" file
3. Click on the "Write EEPROM" button
4. Watch the writing process (don't bite your nails)... It takes about 2 mins
5. After it completes, close BMW Scanner and remove the car key
6. Put the key back in and turn ON ignition
7. Launch BMW Scanner
8. Navigate to LEW section
9. Notice that the VIN on top right of window now matches your VIN
10. Click on the "Reprogramming" button on the left
11. 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!

Nice. This will come in handy to many members. Thank you. :thumbup:

WORKS!
 

Can confirm. Did it today. This is the proper procedure to install a SAS without error. Thanks!!

This really helped me replacing my steering sensor, thanks for your post :zoom:

OK… What if you are an idiot and replace the steering angle sensor a year ago and are just now getting around to coding it?

My old steering angle sensor is gone. I cannot pull the old EEPROM data from it. Is there any way around this?

Thanks in advance!

Oh wow. Sorry to hear that. I unfortunately don't know where you could get the information to write into the new eeprom. But, I am sure it is possible.

So unfortunately, I think you'd need to take it to the dealer. The good news though is that you've done all the time consuming work, so they should not charge you a whole lot to code it. Please let us know how you get on.

I'm not familiar with BMW Scanner and it's capabilities. I was able to code my new SAS to my VIN using Progman, which is a program that often accompanies DIS installations. Other programming apps (e.g., ISTA-P) can also accomplish it without having access to your old SAS.

AM.

This is true, but where's the write-up? I used something other than OP did and have forgotten what it was after spending quite a bit of time digging up the obscure references. When I actually got PROGMAN working, I didn't understand why anyone would use any other tool with how easy it made everything, and now I haven't had a need to use it for months. Has some Windows update wiped it off my laptop by now? OP did a wonderful thing and documented a means to get the SAS working. Thank you, OP.

Thank you for this post. 2024 and it's still helping people. I went through this last week and ultimately copying the EEPROM data from the previous sensor was my solution.

Earlier I tried to work the raw HEX method described here but it was just a few details short in the end.

Awesome! Glad it helped you! :-)

Great guide!

I used it to calibrate a steering position sensor for my friend in bmwscanner 1.4, super simple.

Unfortunately the error still remains.
He swapped a steering column from E53 to E39, because he wanted a 3 spoke steering wheel from E53. He kept the old position sensor. But now he's getting an error in abs module, and dcs triangle is lit on the cluster.
The transmission is also in error mode. Not sure if it's all related.

https://i.ibb.co/1r6DTpS/Screenshot-...8-Telegram.jpg

I wonder if there's a way to tell if the position sensor is successfully calibrated?

You should be able to get a live steering angle reading with a proper scan tool.

He kept his original steering angle position sensor? If so, there should be no coding needed. Just possibly a re-calibration.

If you mean he kept the old position sensor off of the donor setup, then yah you'll need to code the sensor to the new car, but you will also probably need to re-calibrate it. I'm pretty sure you can do that with the scan tool, but you can also try turning the wheel from lock to lock a few times.