Changing Steering Speed Sensor

[bowtiefreak]

Just did this and it really is straight forward.

1) rotate the wheel until you can get at the nut and lock the wheel there
2) remove nut and bolt and wiggle the bottom part of the shaft till it slides down
3) unplug the sensor
4) I then lossened the bottom clip and gently pried it out a little then felt around for the other two clips and pulled them back to losen the sensor and just wiggle it free and slide it off
5) put back on the same way, took about 30 minutes

 

[Motown 454]

Have you driven it yet , and did you notice a big difference?

Wayne

 

[bowtiefreak]

Right away I noticed it. Around 15mph is where it got really loose. In my tahoe years ago it did it at highway speed and that was scary.

Everything is good to go now!

 

[510man]

1999 4x4 5.7l
Parts Information

Steering Column Position Sensor

With Tilt Wheel

OEM Part #
Position Sensor
26064468

NAPA
Product Line: Balkamp
Part Number: BK 6202250
Price: $48.49 Each

---------- Post added at 11:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------

Something else that would have helped is knowing that the connector was a bit different and had a green tab that needed to be pulled back and not just push down on it. The wiring is tight but it will give you access.

The wiring is the hardest aspect of this project. My plug was wrapped in some foam tape. Removing the tape to see the green clip was the most time consuming part of the project. Second was getting the sensor clip passed the steering column bracing. That took a little manipulating to find a spot where it would clear for removal.

When I pushed the steering linkage toward the firewall, I pushed the grommet out of the firewall and into the engine compartment. This was a mistake that proved helpful in that it gave me a lot more room to remove and install the sensor. Reinstalling the grommet from the engine bay was pretty easy. You might consider doing this on purpose.

End-to-end, it took about 45 minutes and fixed my problem.

---------- Post added at 11:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:40 AM ----------

Last post on this topic.

First, thanks to all who posted info. It was helpful. I found the GM procedure on another forum and thought, "Is this really as complicated as they appear to have made it?". Thanks to your posts the answer is, "No, it's actually as simple as I thought it should and would be.".

As a fast and easy temporary fix to this problem, you might try unplugging the wire on the back of the power steering pump. I did that for a couple days until I found time to replace the sensor. On my '99, it made the jerkiness stop so it reduced the safety risk but the steering was fully assisted all the time. The steering felt different but it wasn't bad and was far better than the unpredictability caused by a bad sensor. When you replace the sensor, plug the pump wire back in too.

Wouldn't unplugging the speed sensor accomplish the same thing? I suspect it would, but I didn't try it. I can tell you if you need a quick work around, getting to the pump wire to unplug it is much easier than getting to the sensor wire.

Hope it helps somebody.

 

[Motown 454]

I just got my sensor in last week . I ordered it right after I saw this post through GMparts direct I tried 3 time to order ir from them. I kept having problems with thier website not accepting my order. I paid through Pay Pal and the money was sent . I tried the second and third time and a pyment sent again. still no order .I had to wait ubtil the 30 day time ran out on the payment to get the money back in my account because they wouldnt answer pay pal e mails . It finnally went back in my account and I ordered it from Best Chevrolet. Same price and free shipping. That was a $20 savings, and I had it in 2 days. I paid $61 for it. Now I'm ready to install it this week. Thanks for all your help.

Wayne

 

[fishz]

I heard that if this thing goes bad it can also give you no power steering???

 

[bmoreghost]

noob question on extra sloppy steering

Had the front aligned, no difference, but I saw something about a steering sensor ? Seems like it has solved others problems with loose steering, I have a 97 yukon 4x4 SLT, do I have one of those sensors ? Because I will definetly change it out. Thank you in advance.

 

[SunlitComet]

yes 97-up

 

[big boy toy chevy]

please let me know if this sensor is on the 96 tahoe sport 2d 4x4 5.7 v8.........no one in my city has it in stock ........dealer says its not this truck??????

 

[SunlitComet]

not until 1997.

 

[Motown 454]

Finally got my speed sensor in, it all went fine until I had to get my Xlrg hands in an xsml spot to unplug the sensor. Mine was covered with the foam too. The wires were barely long enough to reach but it went in and made all the difference.
Thanks for all the info and help
Wayne

 

[yodanny]

I cannot get my steering shaft to move more than about 1/4 inch. Not enough to separate the shaft so I can remove the steering sensor. I tried a screwdriver and hammer to tap it down, but it is not budging. Any suggestions? I also took the bolt out from the engine side to try and move the intermediate shaft, but still not enough play to move things far enough. What are my options?

 

[slipping]

Is this the same for 2wd models as well?

 

[SunlitComet]

Should be no difference.

 

[slipping]

Cool. Thanks dude!

 

[99'Hoe]

Help!!

So i busted the Shifter mechanism on my 99' Tahoe 4x4, LONG story short, made the mistake of buying the whole column from a 97'... everything plugged in fine, but the truck wouldn't start. turned out there is a sensor on the ignition switch for the 99' that the 97' did not have. So i transferred all the electrical parts (Ignition switch, Turn signal) to the column of the 97'. popped it in, connected everything, and it works FINE! BUT i have noticed that my steering wheel wont return back to center position by itself when i turn. i almost crashed today and it freaked me out!!

Now here's the question...

the 97's Steering column did Not have the steering position sensor. so i thought whatever and put it in the column from the 97'. (i did this when i was transferring the electrical components from the busted column to the good one).....

now, i'm wondering, if my steering position sensor was fine in the first place, and it fit perfectly on the column from the 97', then WHY is my steering all jacked up? it sounds as if the steering sensor is bad from what i'm reading here, because my steering is sloppy.... but again, i swapped my old sensor on to the good column..... it couldn't have gone bad from just transferring it Right?? i know this may sound like a pretty bizarre post. but i really need help here!!! i don't wanna have to go buy another column! or worse! visit the dealer!!

 

[electro]

Interesting thread...

I honestly thought I didnt have a steering speed sensor or anything of that equivalent.

Someone tell me what it does and what other components work with it?

My steering gearbox and the pump work together for this?

Thanks.

 

[used97]

Interesting to hear in plug the speed sensor on the pump no wonder why mine was in plugged.

 

[SunlitComet]

So i busted the Shifter mechanism on my 99' Tahoe 4x4, LONG story short, made the mistake of buying the whole column from a 97'... everything plugged in fine, but the truck wouldn't start. turned out there is a sensor on the ignition switch for the 99' that the 97' did not have. So i transferred all the electrical parts (Ignition switch, Turn signal) to the column of the 97'. popped it in, connected everything, and it works FINE! BUT i have noticed that my steering wheel wont return back to center position by itself when i turn. i almost crashed today and it freaked me out!!

Now here's the question...

the 97's Steering column did Not have the steering position sensor. so i thought whatever and put it in the column from the 97'. (i did this when i was transferring the electrical components from the busted column to the good one).....

now, i'm wondering, if my steering position sensor was fine in the first place, and it fit perfectly on the column from the 97', then WHY is my steering all jacked up? it sounds as if the steering sensor is bad from what i'm reading here, because my steering is sloppy.... but again, i swapped my old sensor on to the good column..... it couldn't have gone bad from just transferring it Right?? i know this may sound like a pretty bizarre post. but i really need help here!!! i don't wanna have to go buy another column! or worse! visit the dealer!!

if you are not centering the only thing in the column that can do that is binding bearings or rubber spacer. of course everything from the steering gear down to under inflated tires can cause it to.

---------- Post added at 02:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 PM ----------

Interesting thread...

I honestly thought I didnt have a steering speed sensor or anything of that equivalent.

Someone tell me what it does and what other components work with it?

My steering gearbox and the pump work together for this?

Thanks.

The Electronic Variable Orifice (EVO) system increases or decreases the amount of fluid leaving the power steering pump. This provides the driver with a comfortable balance of steering wheel feel and power assist.
At vehicle standstill or at very low speeds, the system allows full hydraulic fluid flow for maximum power assist and reduced steering effort. As the vehicle gains speed, a variable orifice closes at the steering pump which reduces the pump fluid flow. This action provides a stiffer steering wheel response for an improved road feel and a greater directional stability at highway speeds.
A sensor mounted on the steering column detects the steering wheel movements associated with defensive driving maneuvers. A control module uses this sensor input and the vehicle speed in order to adjust the amount of current to the solenoid.
The EVO system consists of the following components:

• The Power Steering (PS) solenoid actuator is located on the power steering pump discharged fitting.
• The EVO/Passlock module is mounted on the instrument panel carrier, beneath the radio.
• The steering Handwheel Speed Sensor (HWSS) is located in the lower bearing of the steering column.
• The vehicle speed sensor is located on the transmission output shaft or on selectable four wheel drive the transfer case output shaft.
• The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is located in the engine compartment on the left inner wheel well panel (diesel engines only).
• The Vehicle Control Module (VCM) is located in the engine compartment on the left inner wheel well panel (gasoline engines only).

 

[99'Hoe]

Verry helpful! thanks! but im still a little bit lost, what Can it be that my steering wheel is verry easy to turn at ALL speeds.. ?