Steering Wheel Position Sensor

[Heathen0042]

Hello All,

I was having the "Traction Control Off " , "Service Stabilitrack" and "Service Brakes Soon" messages display on my truck. I noticed that this occurred anytime I turned my wheel directly after start up. If I drove in a straight line it would not happen. After some digging on the internet I figured I would replace the Steering Wheel Angle Sensor.

I replaced it but it turns out the new one is defective. The reason I know this is because I took it to my mechanic to try and re-calibrate it after the errors didn't go away. He said the new sensor was defective. It will be about a week before the new part comes in for me to install. Do any of you know if it would be okay to continue driving it like this or would it cause more issues down the line? Is it safe to drive in the interim? Thanks in advance.

 

[wjburken]

I don't think you will have any issues with driving it for a week or so until you get the new one. Our '08 XL Denali had this same issue. We went through 2 sensors in short order. With the 2nd one we would get errors even just sitting in a parking lot idling. We did not get the Service Brakes Soon message though. Ended up trading it in on a '13 before we got around to putting a 3rd one in.

 

[Sparksalot]

How difficult is this sensor to change?

 

[Rocket Man]

How difficult is this sensor to change?

You have to pull the steering wheel and drop the column. There’s a specific method that must be followed or you’ll mess up the new sensor. I highly suggest a subscription to alldatadiy so you have access to the service manual.

 

[Sparksalot]

You have to pull the steering wheel and drop the column. There’s a specific method that must be followed or you’ll mess up the new sensor. I highly suggest a subscription to alldatadiy so you have access to the service manual.

That sounds like a joy to do.

 

[Rocket Man]

That sounds like a joy to do.

It’s not that bad, it just has to go over the end of the steering shaft ( it’s a circular part) and you have to strap or tape the steering wheel so it doesn’t move, then line up the sensor as you install it.

 

[Sparksalot]

I found this bulletin in a couple of places. It’s a no cost thing to try since have the materials.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/SB-10043887-2153.pdf

 

[Rocket Man]

Yeah, forgot about that bulletin. I tried it with no luck. First, I cleaned the pins and added a shim, and when that didn’t work I replaced the pigtail and then when that didn’t work I replaced the sensor, and bingo.

 

[Sparksalot]

Yeah, forgot about that bulletin. I tried it with no luck. First, I cleaned the pins and added a shim, and when that didn’t work I replaced the pigtail and then when that didn’t work I replaced the sensor, and bingo.

I figured I wouldn’t even mess with the pigtail, either this works or the sensor is toast. Then I need to decide if I care enough to change that.

 

[Sparksalot]

Yeah, forgot about that bulletin. I tried it with no luck. First, I cleaned the pins and added a shim, and when that didn’t work I replaced the pigtail and then when that didn’t work I replaced the sensor, and bingo.

It didn’t work for me either.

 

[Rocket Man]

It didn’t work for me either.

Bummer. Now you have to decide. What issues are you having?

 

[Sparksalot]

Bummer. Now you have to decide. What issues are you having?

The stabilitrack/traction control errors. On road they’d be nice to have. Off road, they’re not wanted, so it’s a toss up.

 

[wjburken]

The stabilitrack/traction control errors. On road they’d be nice to have. Off road, they’re not wanted, so it’s a toss up.

View attachment 267298

On our 2008 Denali we would get random codes for the steering wheel position sensor. Got it replaced twice and didn’t solve it. Found a TSB about possible corrosion in the harness and had that cleaned up and then replaced with no real change. Stumped the dealer. Ended up not being an issue as we traded it in for our 2013. What a PITA.

 

[Sparksalot]

On our 2008 Denali we would get random codes for the steering wheel position sensor. Got it replaced twice and didn’t solve it. Found a TSB about possible corrosion in the harness and had that cleaned up and then replaced with no real change. Stumped the dealer. Ended up not being an issue as we traded it in for our 2013. What a PITA.

I noticed the TSB listed 07-12 models. My ‘13 doesn’t have the issue, and I’ve felt what the traction control does on wet roads. It’s pretty cool. I may get industrious and change the sensor. It’s not likely something I’ll pay to have done.