Steering angle sensor replacement??
 

Has anyone done this? I have the yellow DSC/ABS lights on and have a lot about it on these forums but never really found out where it's located. Any info on this would be appreciated.

I haven't done it but the dealer wanted to replace it when I had the same lights on after a battery replacement. They wanted about $400 to do the job. I told them to clear the fault code and I'll be on our way. He advised against this approach but cleared the code anyway at a cost of about $100. Never had the lights come on again. Try clearing the codes first before replacing the sensor?

Are you sure is the steering angle sensor? .... It can be the speed sensors,ABS/DCS pump.
It's much cheaper to get the code read to be sure what is really wrong.

I agree, I would have the codes read. I had the same thing happen to my wife's 02' 530i, which has a very similar system and it turned out to the be the DSC module. Only cost me $100 for the diagnostics and then the dealer was happy to code my new DSC module that I brought in for $50.

I did have the codes read and the dealer said it was the steering angle sensor. I had my indie shop try the reset while they were doing some other unrelated work and the lights went out but came back on again.

Im just trying to figure out where the sensor is located and if I can get to it to change it out myself.

Heckler yeah its the steering angle sensor. It does need to be replaced or you're DSC traction control will not work!. you'll still have AWD (which has nothing to do with the sensor) but you won't have your traction control so it won't sense when one or more wheels is slipping..all 4 wheels will just spin at the same time.

Now if I could only figure out where it's located I will give it a shot.

Item no. 9 in this pic from realoem.com (look under steering column)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/n/v/4.png

This is interesting.... I got the same error with the warning light after I left the X parked for a few days. I took it to the dealer (was still under warranty) and they replaced the steering angle sensor. A short couple of weeks later my battery died and I had to replace it.

I wonder now if the low battery had anything to do with this error/light, especially given I noticed it only after a few days of leaving the X parked.

Something that perhaps others - who will search and find this thread in future - with the same problem should look into first before replacing the sensor?

thanks, that looks llike it could be a pita to get to, I wonder if I will need to remove the airbag/steering wheel to get to it. The dealer quoted me $602 to replace it.