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.

Hopefully killcrap or weasel would come and chime in here on how-to.

Heckler, Please see attached link for a post from Zulu95 (he's my hero by the way!) back a couple of years ago. He explains the steering angle sensor functionality and others post replacement procedures in subsequent posts. Your indy may not be equipped with the proper tools to reset the fault code and code the sensor with your VIN number. I'd go to the $tealer to see if they can clear the fault code before spending a large amount of money to replace the sensor. I did this and it worked!

Here's Zulu95's post:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...le-sensor.html

And here is mine:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...lf-tealer.html

Good luck with your repair and let us know how things work out! :thumbup:

Thanks! That helps a lot!

I just took mine in today for the same thing.

4 weeks ago the wife called while I was traveling and said the DSC, abs and brake lights came on. It was then parked. When I checked it out 2 weeks ago the 3 lights came on with the start up of the car and stayed on. tried several times and got the same result.

This morning when I started the X5 up to take it in, the 'service vehicle soon' light came on and the other 3 were off, but the engine was running rough.

Drove 35 miles to a recommended service center with only the 'service soon' light on.

Fault code check indicated the Steering Angle Sensor. Cost for a sensor $287, install 3hrs or $315. I didn't get it done since the lights had been out. They said they would need to disassemble the entire steering column to change the sensor. I wonder if these can reset themself from sitting 3 weeks?

Had more than one issue. Oil leak from the valve cover soaked 3 plugs with oil causing the engine to run rough. They changed the gasket, cleaned the plugs and coils and it runs like a champ. Don't know if the 2 issues are related, but thought I would post it up as reference info.

Drove home and all lights off.

If the ABS/DSC lights come on again, i'll have it done.

Blowout, see msammy's post above and check out the link to Zulu's post, it had the instructions on how to change it. It's not very difficult at all but you will still need to take it in to have it coded at the dealer. I havent done mine yet but I plan to install the part myself and have the dealer code it.

A quick search for the part and it looks like $247. Saw one on eBay for $190, but it was pulled off another vehicle. BMW in my area charges $190/hr with a 1hr minimum. I would be in it for about $550 if I did it myself.

Today they quoted $650 to have it done with a 12 month warranty. I would check the other shop I use for pricing first before doing this.

Just as an update... I haven't had any more problems with this particular issue since this. I picked up a code reader on eBay and now look up the codes if/when anything comes up.

I was on the grass and drove up a moderate slope. The next thing I knew I was getting the ABS/DSC/Engine Light (yellow), Brake lights and my A/c was working intermittedly. I took it to the dealership. At first they thought it might indicate an alternator going bad. Then they found that it was the Steering Angle Sensor. They replaced that and still had the ABS lights, etc. Now they are saying it is ALSO the DSC module. This makes me suspicious because it seems to me an odd coincidence that both could have gone bad at the same time. Is it possible that there was never anything wrong with the SAS and it was the DSC the whole time? Anybody familiar with this? Need help, it's at the dealer now and I need to give them the go-ahead to fix it or not.

Chris

Its hard to say. Sometimes if the voltage is low, the 3 lights come on. To reset it, you would need to shut the motor off. Turn the X to on and rotate the wheel right to lock then left to lock then back to center. This resets the values in the sensor. Now if it came back on, then further notes are needed. Since they already replaced it, it's too late. It is odd that both the SAS and DSC mod go out at the same time, but anything is possible. It is already there, might as well give them the go unless your fingers are quick and can locate a DSC mod for cheaper.

+1 what Turbo said. Not much you can do, unless you can get your hands on GT1 and diagnose yourself. I would bitch a bit and tell them to split the cost on the repair they did, that did not fix anything. You never know, you might get something.

You know, thinking about it some more, if codes were showing, it should have shown the DSC module as not sending any info back in conjunction with the SAS. I concur what Slick said, talk to the SA and try to find some recourse. I am sure the fix cost you ~$600 and then add the DSC mod on top, you're lucky to come out of there with a $1500 bill.

Now remember, don't yell, scream or curse them out. Be nice. If the SA tells you to go F-off, be nice. Talk it out and try to find a resolution. At first the SA is going to say, "We had no idea until we took it apart." or whatever he says. Something along those lines. Just answer back telling him that you came to his dealer because you trusted their work and that it seemed as if they presented a lot of value to you. Express that you are disappointed that their diagnosis wasn't right and you have lost that feeling of value. Then just keep quiet. Make it awkward for the SA. Believe me, it is going to be uncomfortable for both of you if there is 10 seconds of silence, but stick to your guns and keep your mouth closed. Let the SA think and fire an answer back. If he says, "What would you like me to do?" Just say, "I'd like to have this problem fixed, but I am not willing to spend the full amount of money to have the problem resolved." Then keep quiet again. Let the SA find a resolution to the problem.

Worse case, he says he can't do anything and he needs to charge prevailing rate on labor and parts.

Best case: He will either cut the labor down or eliminate it and you just pay the cost of the part.

Just keep in kind to remain calm and collective.

Replacing steering angle sensor is very easy, only 15 minutes job. Just buy the part from 3rd party parts dealer and diy. Take a look at below link:

BMW TIS - 32 31 082 Removing and installing/replacing steering angle sensor

Remember you must encode the sensor and adjust the sensor after replacement with BMW TIS.

While true, OP has already had the dealer replace the SAS, but the fix did not work. Dealer is specifying DSC module is no longer working.

Steering Angle Sensor and DSC Control Module
 

Thanks Turbo and Slick. I am on the email now "giving the rep a hard time". The total is going to be around $2600 and all I have is a discount card for 15% that they had given me 6 months ago. This is quite a lot to pay for a 2001 X5 4.4.

Holy crap. That is rape in its finest. Yea talk to the SA as Turbo Suggested.

I agree with all of TwinTurboGTR's post, but especially the last line, above.

Two things to keep in mind, both related to it not necessarily being a strange coincidence.

1) It is possible for one faulty component to precipate a failure in a related component. It may have been a bad sensor that caused a problem elsewhere, so you did in fact need both parts. In this case, you would want the dealer to not charge you incremental labour over him having done them both at the same time, the first time. You may get better than that, depends on how much they want to satisfy you.

2) There are some electronic components where the official troubleshooting process, even after reading the codes, is "if A doesn't resolve it, then do B". That is if there isn't a definitive way of isolating a cause of failure, and then they instruct techs to do the cheapest item first. Not an ideal situation, but it is the real world.

Essentially, what you are presenting to the dealer is "This doesn't feel right, and I want to be delighted and able to recommend your service to others. What can you do here? I want to work with you, and am prepared to meet you halfway" Save the last line until you hear his offer.

Good luck

Jeff

Steering Angle Sensor and DSC
 

Yea, I will keep calm. I try to be objective. The last email stated:

Chris,

We know for a fact that steering angle sensor was inop, it had an internal fault and would not clear. We tried that before recommending the replacement of it. Are hope was that the can bus faults were being caused by the steering angle sensor, but the only way to find out was to replace it. It was the most cost effective and logical repair to start with. And as I said earlier we know the sensor was bad because now the only faults the return are the can bus faults, which we have isolated to the DSC module. The repair kit part number you sent me is the exact same one that is in your estimate you just are not able to see the part numbers. Please let me know if we can proceed I do not have the part in stock and will have to order it.

Thanks, let me know if you have any other questions.

Another email from my independent after I told him the story:

Chris, one of my suppliers warehouses has 1 brand new not reman control unit #34526758629 left in stock and their not stocking anymore more. Installed price will be $815.25 total which I need prepaid, no refunds. I can have it in two buisness days.
Rich @Benz Werks.

So I am thinking about pulling out and bringing the X5 over Friday (I'm out of town this week) and hopefully he can install Saturday.

Chris,

Yeah, I agree. If the SA is saying that is the most logical and economical repair to start out with, I concur. In his statement, he stated as to why they went with the SAS first then resorted to the DSC module. If he didn't mention any of that, I would press him some more, but they way he explained it was thorough. He doesn't know what spell check is, but that's besides the point.

Now it just comes down to price. So if your Indy can do it for cheaper, pull the X out and send it over to him. If the price difference is only a few bucks, just leave it with the dealer. If not, move it. That's my honest opinion.

That is a much better price. Dealer is never my first choice if something needs to be done.

Yeah, I am going with my Indy. He is very good. The only reason I didn't go with him in the first place is that he is a one man operation and doesn't have loaners. My wife needed a car to get to work and I was going out of town for the week. So I opted for the dealership and a BMW loaner which my wife enjoyed tremendously. So I will let them know at the dealership that I will not have the repair done and return the loaner.

One approach to remove the angle sensor is to remove the kick panel by the pedals, disengage the lower steering shaft to the upper shaft, and the sensor should be visible.