mathia

I've been seeing DTC codes 1287 and 1288, steering wheel position sensor errors, for several weeks now which disables the active handling. First thing I did was clean the grounds on the front frame rails and reseat the EBCM and SWPS connectors, but that didn't work. With the help of search function and Bill Curlee's post in http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1650217|this thread I've determined my steering wheel postion sensor is bad.

I stuck probes from my multimeter in the back side of the connector and found that the sensor is getting +5v on the orange/black and ground on the gray, but the two signal wires, pin 5 and 6, show dead spots (sudden drops to .5v) as I turn the wheel.

The shop manuals outline the proceedure to remove the steering column and replace the sensor, but several posts linked to http://www.ddisoftware.com/c5-procs/ as having an easier way to change it out. Unfortunately that link is no longer working. Any one have any advice on the best way to do this?

Also, from what I've read it seems for my '01 the sensor is GM PART # 88965543 which lists at $70. Just want to make sure that's correct as it just comes up as Sensor on GMpartsdirect.com.

Thanks!

SteveDoten

i'd suggest using gmpartshouse.com , Gene always is up on current part numbers

i had the same link

Gordy M

I take it you have not done extensive aligment or replace/remove steering box. The voltage you need to check is the light blue wire in the middle of the sensor harness. it should be about 2.4-2.6V if not then learch the forum for that fix.

dgrant3830

Mine failed a couple of years ago. I bought the sensor then had the dealer put it in. They only charged me $175 to do it. It was worth it too me just for the sake of the effort and the air-bag. If they had set it off, it was on their money to fix it. Yes, you can do it yourself too if you are careful.

SilvaDragon

I did this on my '99 Coupe a couple years back.

The trick here is that there is actually enough slack in the
wiring harness that you don't have to disconnect any wires.
This essentially solves the airbag issue.

Here's the Reader's Digest version:
- Set the steering wheel straight, so that the front wheels are
straight, and try hard not to turn it during the whole process.
- Disconnect the wire from the sensor.
- Disconnect the topmost U-joint under the hood (probably
the "hardest" part)
- Pull the knee bolster and its support bracket
- Get the new steering sensor - leave the pin in it!!
- Remove the 4 bolts that hold the steering column to the car.
- Pull the column into the car just enough to clear the sensor.
Rest it on the crossmember under the dash, but don't pinch
any wires.
- Swap in the new sensor - note alignment when removing the
old sensor - leave the pin in the new sensor!!
- It helps to have a helper slide the column back in while you
reconnect the U-joint under the hood, but I did this myself
with several back-and-forths. Watch for pinching wires.
- Reassemble.
- Pull the pin in the new sensor.

mathia

Thanks for the tips SilvaDragon! I just ordered the new sensor this past weekend and hopefully we be installing it this coming weekend. I'll try to take some pics and let you all know how it went.

beav626

let us know how it works out for you...

indy300

eagerly awaiting photos! I think I need to do this also...

mathia

I'll get the photos up this weekend. I replaced the sensor a couple of weeks ago and all has been fine since. I ended up pulling out the whole steering column as I had a tough time sliding the old sensor off. It really wasn't hard to just remove the whole column, although if the sensor hadn't been stuck on it wouldn't have been necessary.

indy300

Oldvetter

Here is the shop manual version: (not sure that I would tackle this myself)

SMU - Revised Steering Wheel Position Sensor or Steering Shaft Lower Bearing Replacement Procedure and Steering Wheel Position Sensor Centering Procedure #03-02-36-002 - (Jul 30, 2003)
Revised Steering Wheel Position Sensor or Steering Shaft Lower Bearing Replacement Procedure and Steering Wheel Position Sensor Centering Procedure
1998-2003 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue

1998-2003 Cadillac DeVille, Seville

2003 Cadillac CTS

1998-2003 Chevrolet Corvette

1998 Oldsmobile Achieva

1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue

1998-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora

1999-2003 Oldsmobile Alero

1998-2003 Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Am

1998-2000 Chevrolet C/K Pickup Models

1998-2003 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe

1999-2003 Chevrolet Silverado

2002-2003 Chevrolet Avalanche

1998-1999 GMC Suburban

1998-2000 GMC C/K Pickup Models

1998-2003 GMC Yukon

1999-2003 GMC Sierra

2000-2003 GMC Yukon Denali, Yukon XL

2003 GMC Sierra Denali

This bulletin is being issued to revise the Steering Wheel Position Sensor or Steering Shaft Lower Bearing Replacement procedure in the Variable Effort Steering (1998-2001 model years) or Steering Wheel and Column (2002-2003 model years) and add the Steering Wheel Position Sensor Centering procedure in the Steering Wheel and Column sub-sections of the Service Manual. Please replace the current information in the Service Manual with the following information.

The following information has been updated within SI. If you are using a paper version of this Service Manual, please make a reference to this bulletin on the affected page.

Steering Wheel Position Sensor or Steering Shaft Lower Bearing Replacement
Removal Procedure




Caution
Refer to SIR Caution in Cautions and Notices.


Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in SIR.
Remove the steering column from the vehicle. Refer to Steering Column Replacement.
Remove the following from the steering shaft:
steering shaft seal (7)
sensor retainer (6)
steering wheel position sensor (5), refer to Steering Wheel Position Sensor Centering.
2 lower spring retainers (4)
lower bearing spring (3)
lower bearing seat (2)
adapter and bearing assembly (1)
Installation Procedure



Install the following onto the steering shaft:
adapter and bearing assembly (1)
lower bearing seat (2)
lower bearing spring (3)
2 lower spring retainers (4)
steering wheel position sensor (5) refer to Steering Wheel Position Sensor Centering.
sensor retainer (6)
steering shaft seal (7)
Enable the SIR system. Refer to in SIR.
Install the steering column to the vehicle. Refer to Steering Column Replacement.
Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in SIR.
Steering Wheel Position Sensor Centering
Removal Procedure

Important
Identify the type of steering wheel position sensor from the illustrations below BEFORE removing the sensor from the steering column. Once you have identified the steering wheel position sensor, follow the instructions listed in the removal procedure.


Verify the type of steering wheel position sensor.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor (1) connector will be on the right.

Important
If reusing the existing sensor, you do not have to align the sensor before removal. Centering is not required when it is time to reinstall.


Remove the connector from the sensor.
Remove the sensor (1) from the adapter and bearing assembly.
To install the sensor, proceed to step 1 in the installation section.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A foam ring (2)
A pin hole (1) for centering the pin (note location of the pin hole)
A flush rotor flange cuff (4)

Important
If reusing the existing sensor, you must make an alignment mark on the rotor flange cuff (3) before removing the sensor. Failure to do so will cause misalignment when installing the sensor. A new sensor will be required if misaligned.


Make an alignment mark on the flush rotor flange cuff (3).
Remove the connector from the sensor.
Remove the sensor from the adapter and bearing assembly.
To install the sensor, proceed to step 5 in the installation section.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A raised rotor flange cuff (3)
An alignment mark (2) on the rotor flange cuff (3) for installation
A pin hole (1) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
Remove the connector from the sensor.
Remove the sensor from the adapter and bearing assembly.
To install the sensor, proceed to step 9 in the installation section.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A raised rotor flange cuff (3)
An alignment mark (2) on the rotor flange cuff (3) for installation
A pin hole (1) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
A sensor clip in FRONT of the sensor
Remove the connector from the sensor.
Remove the sensor clip from the sensor.
Remove the sensor from the adapter and bearing assembly.
To install the sensor, proceed to step 13 in the installation section.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A flush rotor flange cuff (3)
A pin hole (1) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
An alignment mark (2) on the flush rotor flange cuff (3) for installation
Remove the connector from the sensor.
Remove the sensor from the adapter and bearing assembly.
To install the sensor, proceed to step 17 in the installation section.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A flush rotor flange cuff (4)
A pin hole (2) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
An alignment mark (3) on the flush rotor flange cuff (4) for installation
A foam ring (1)
Remove the connector from the sensor.
Remove the sensor from the adapter and bearing assembly.
To install the sensor, proceed to step 21 in the installation section.
Installation Procedure




Important
If reusing the existing sensor, no centering of the sensor is required.


If installing a new sensor, it will come with a pin installed in the sensor. Do not remove the pin until the sensor is seated.
From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor (1) connector will be on your right. From the technicians point of view, the BACK of the sensor (2) connector will be on your left.
Looking at the FRONT of the sensor, align the sensor with the steering shaft and install into the adapter and bearing assembly.
Install the connector to the sensor.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A foam ring (4)
A pin hole (7) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
A flushed rotor flange cuff (6)
An alignment mark (5) for installation
From the technicians point of view, the BACK of the sensor will have:
Double D flats (1)
A foam ring (3)
An alignment tab (2) for installing into the adapter and bearing assembly.
A view of the inside of the connector

Important
If reusing the existing sensor, you must align the marks on the flush rotor flange cuff before installation. The alignment mark must stay aligned until the sensor is seated into the adapter and bearing assembly.

If installing a new sensor, it will come with a pin installed in the sensor. Do not remove the pin until the sensor is seated. If the new sensor did not come with a pin installed, you must reorder a new sensor.


Looking at the FRONT of the sensor, align the sensor with the steering shaft and install into the adapter and bearing assembly.
Install the connector to the sensor.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A pin hole (3) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
A raised rotor flange cuff (5)
An alignment mark (4) for installation
From the technicians point of view, the BACK of the sensor will have:
Double D flats (1)
An alignment tab (2) for installing into the adapter and bearing assembly.

Important
If reusing the existing sensor, you must align the marks on the raised rotor flange cuff before installation. The alignment mark must stay aligned until the sensor is seated into the adapter and bearing assembly.

If installing a new sensor, it will come with a pin installed in the sensor. Do not remove the pin until the sensor is seated. If the new sensor did not come with a pin installed, you must reorder a new sensor.


Looking at the FRONT of the sensor, align the sensor with the steering shaft and install into the adapter and bearing assembly.
Install the connector to the sensor.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A pin hole (2) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
A raised rotor flange cuff (4)
An alignment mark (3) for installation
From the technicians point of view, the BACK of the sensor will have an alignment tab (1) for installation. This sensor does not have double D flats.

Important
If reusing the existing sensor, you must align the marks on the raised rotor flange cuff before installation. The alignment mark must stay aligned until the sensor is seated into the adapter and bearing assembly.

If installing a new sensor, it will come with a pin installed in the sensor. Do not remove the pin until the sensor is seated. If the new sensor did not come with a pin installed, you must reorder a new sensor.


Looking at the FRONT of the sensor, align the sensor with the steering shaft and install into the adapter and bearing assembly.
Install the connector to the sensor.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A pin hole (2) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
A flush rotor flange cuff (4)
An alignment mark (3) for installation
From the technicians point of view, the BACK of the sensor will have an alignment tab (1) for installation. This sensor does not have double D flats.

Important
If reusing the existing sensor, you must align the marks on the flush rotor flange cuff before installation. The alignment mark must stay aligned until the sensor is seated into the adapter and bearing assembly.

If installing a new sensor, it will come with a pin installed in the sensor. Do not remove the pin until the sensor is seated. If the new sensor did not come with a pin installed, you must reorder a new sensor.


Looking at the FRONT of the sensor, align the sensor with the steering shaft and install into the adapter and bearing assembly.
Install the connector to the sensor.



From the technicians point of view, the FRONT of the sensor will have:
A pin hole (3) for the centering pin (note location of the pin hole)
A flush rotor flange cuff (5)
An alignment mark (4) for installation
A foam ring (6)
From the technicians point of view, the BACK of the sensor will have:
Double D flats (1)
An alignment tab (2) for installing into the adapter and bearing assembly.

Important
If reusing the existing sensor, you must align the marks on the flush rotor flange cuff before installation. The alignment mark must stay aligned until the sensor is seated into the adapter and bearing assembly.

If installing a new sensor, it will come with a pin installed in the sensor. Do not remove the pin until the sensor is seated. If the new sensor did not come with a pin installed, you must reorder a new sensor.


Looking at the FRONT of the sensor, align the sensor with the steering shaft and install into the adapter and bearing assembly.
Install the connector to the sensor.

Bill Curlee

indy300

Thanks Oldvetter, a picture is worth 1,000 words

MUKAK

mathia

OK, I've finally got my pics online! I'm no expert and this is only a rough summary of what i did (or at least what I remember doing), but I hope some will find this useful. Having the GM service manuals handy is always good.

First thing to do is loosen (but don't remove) the bolt that connects the upper steering shaft with the steering column. I found it was a lot easier to get at the bolt by disconnecting the rubber hose going to the AIR tube on the exhaust headers.



You can see the upper steering shaft with the blue "Notice" sticker. Here is a pic of the upper joint with the bolt that will be loosened. It's just below the right most ignition coil.



In the above pic the wheel is turned straight ahead. In this position the bolt head is at an angle you can't get at. Turn the wheel about 90 degrees to the left (IIRC) and you'll have the bolt head pointing up. Like this I was able to use a couple of extensions together to get a socket on there and be able to swing the ratchet.



Make sure you just loosen the bolt. You want to have the wheel pointing straight ahead when you install the sensor. Once you get it loose, turn the steering wheel to straight ahead and then remove the bolt by hand. This is where removing the AIR tube hose really helps, but it's still kind of a pain.

Now with the steering shaft disconnected from the steering column you can unbolt the steering column. There are four bolt that hold it in place. To get at the upper ones you need to remove the knee bolster. With that out, you can see the upper two nuts.



And here are the lower ones.



Well, actually you can only see one of them in the pic. You can also see the sensor here. It is behind the green ring. On its left you can see the connector for it. Remove the connector and all for bolts. There are also some ties that secure the wiring harnesses to the steering column. Undo the ties to create some slack in the wiring. You can now pull the steering column away from the firewall and fully disengage it from the steering shaft.



In theory, at this point you should be able to slide the steering sensor off the end of the column. Mine was really stuck on there so I ended up pulling the column out of the car to get a better grip on it.

If you're removing the column that means you have to disconnect the air bag. The GM service manuals state that the air bag holds about 15 seconds worth of charge so that the air bags can deploy even if the battery is disconnected. To avoid possibly having the air bag deploy you must disconnect the battery and then pull the fuse for the air bags. (I forget which on it is now, I'll post it later).

Once you're certain the air bags have no power and are fully discharged, disconnect all the wiring connectors on the steering column. I must say I hate automotive electrical connectors, unplugging them in particular. These have a little locking piece you've got to push out with a small flat head screw driver before you can pull them a part. Once they are all undone you are now free to pull the whole column out.



Slide the sensor off and put on the new one. The new one has a black pin in it to keep it from moving out of the centered position. Don't remove that pin until the sensor is on the shaft, otherwise it won't give the right voltage on center. Here you can see the pin.



With the new sensor on slide the steering shaft back through the firewall. This is a little tricky because there is a rubber grommet and a seal the column goes through. If your not careful (like me) you can push the grommet out of the firewall. It's a bit of a pain to shove it back in. I recommend having a second set of hands hold the grommet in place from the engine compartment side.

Then bolt the column in the car and plug in all the connectors. Put the upper steering shaft bolt back in by hand. Turn the wheel so you can access the bolt with a socket and tighten it. I think that's it. It's been a couple months since I did this and active handling has been working fine since.

runamuk

Good pics.

The one recommendation I would make is once the new sensor is on the column, don't pull that pin until the column is back in the car or if you do pull the pin, don't let the wteering wheel rotate.

I just did this job 2 weeks ago and I also pulled the whole column out of the car, it's just less hastle.

indy300

great write-up. That looks easy enough....

Does anyone know the part number for the sensor?

mathia

I think there are two different versions of the sensor. My 2001 used GM part # 88965543. I think some of the early year C5s use a different sensor that costs a lot more and has a six wire connector.

indy300

anyone know what fuse to pull?

TraceZ

A word of caution for you guys.

It is really important not to rotate the steering wheel during this process. Doing so may result in destruction of the airbag coil.

Why?

Because the airbag coil is only designed to allow the wheel to rotate from lock to lock. It actually has a coil of wire in it. The coiled wire will only allow limited rotation.

So, of you accidentally rotate the wheel one turn to the left and reinstall the column that way the result will be destruction of the airbag coil next time you make a left turn and the airbag coilwire runs out of travel. Spinning the steering wheel with the steering shaft disconnected would be nearly instant death for the airbag coil.

If you do accidentally rotate the wheel and are uncertain if it is in the right spot, you can save yourself by removing the airbag coil and following the procedure to manually recenter it.