Looking for help on code C1281
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
Looking for help on code C1281
Hi guys! I'm looking for help regarding code C1281 steering sensor correlation malfunction. I did a few searches and the general consensus was to put a new steering sensor in. I did that and its still pulling the same code. WHY???????????? I guess I dont understand...it seems like that sensor has like 3 or 4 outputs and if one of them is off it throws the code. WHAT IS THE DEAL....when it rains it pours...
...ive got an exhaust leak, a sqeaking belt, and loud sway bars too....
...ive got an exhaust leak, a sqeaking belt, and loud sway bars too....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
To add more: the steering rack wasnt messed with before. The code just started appearing one day.
Ive read some old posts were the problem is either the ebtcm, a bad wire, or bad connection between the wire and ebtcm.
i am going to check them tonight.
Ive read some old posts were the problem is either the ebtcm, a bad wire, or bad connection between the wire and ebtcm.
i am going to check them tonight.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
Just as a response to my own thread since I think I kind of figured out what was happening. This should be good for people who have a similar problem and use the search feature.
1. I was receiving code C1281 in the TCS module, which is the steering position sensor correlation malfunction.
2. I found a couple of reasons that potentially cause this error:
a. The most common one is that the steering rack and steering wheel were disconnected (usually for work to the engine). The steering wheel was then turned 360° to either the right or left (by accident) and then bolted back to the rack after all the other work was complete. In doing this, the sensor at the base of the steering wheel is now reading that the steering wheel has been turned 360° but the wheels of the car are headed straight and it can’t figure out why so it throws the code.
b. The sensor at the base of the steering wheel is bad and isn’t sending and receiving the proper signals to and from the EBTCM. The sensor at the base of the steering wheel has 6 wires going to it. The wiring connector on the EBTCM must be plugged in for this sensor to work (unless you are a master electrical guy and have it all rigged up) as the 5V source comes from the EBTCM. A good electrical dude can probably check all these different wires for the proper signals (or if you have a tech II). However, I didn’t have all the proper tools so I was only able to check the 5V signal, the ground, and the analog voltage signal. When straight ahead, you can use a multimeter to measure the voltage on the bottom light blue wire. The second wire from the top which is orange/black in color is a ground or you can use another ground. The voltage should read 2.5V (or close) when pointed straight ahead. If it’s much lower, the steering wheel was turned to the left. If much higher, it was turned to the right. You can check these same signals at the connection by the EBTCM.
i. 5V source from the EBTCM.
ii. Ground
iii. Phase A
iv. Phase B
v. Indexing Signal
vi. Analog Voltage Signal
c. The wiring between the sensor and the EBTCM is broken, corroded or has a bad connection with the EBTCM. My 97 has the EBTCM right behind the differential. The connector is on the right hand side of the EBTCM. Mine was filled with dust, debris, dirt and actually was the cause of my problem. I believe the 99 and newer vettes have the EBTCM located in the front of the vehicle. You can test these wires as well to make sure the signal between the steering position sensor and the EBTCM is still good.
d. The EBTCM isn’t working properly. This would be a last resort for me as it is the most expensive part.
e. The last issue that could potentially cause this is the front wheels need to be aligned. If this error is cause from your alignment, it probably needed to be aligned anyway.
Good Luck!
1. I was receiving code C1281 in the TCS module, which is the steering position sensor correlation malfunction.
2. I found a couple of reasons that potentially cause this error:
a. The most common one is that the steering rack and steering wheel were disconnected (usually for work to the engine). The steering wheel was then turned 360° to either the right or left (by accident) and then bolted back to the rack after all the other work was complete. In doing this, the sensor at the base of the steering wheel is now reading that the steering wheel has been turned 360° but the wheels of the car are headed straight and it can’t figure out why so it throws the code.
b. The sensor at the base of the steering wheel is bad and isn’t sending and receiving the proper signals to and from the EBTCM. The sensor at the base of the steering wheel has 6 wires going to it. The wiring connector on the EBTCM must be plugged in for this sensor to work (unless you are a master electrical guy and have it all rigged up) as the 5V source comes from the EBTCM. A good electrical dude can probably check all these different wires for the proper signals (or if you have a tech II). However, I didn’t have all the proper tools so I was only able to check the 5V signal, the ground, and the analog voltage signal. When straight ahead, you can use a multimeter to measure the voltage on the bottom light blue wire. The second wire from the top which is orange/black in color is a ground or you can use another ground. The voltage should read 2.5V (or close) when pointed straight ahead. If it’s much lower, the steering wheel was turned to the left. If much higher, it was turned to the right. You can check these same signals at the connection by the EBTCM.
i. 5V source from the EBTCM.
ii. Ground
iii. Phase A
iv. Phase B
v. Indexing Signal
vi. Analog Voltage Signal
c. The wiring between the sensor and the EBTCM is broken, corroded or has a bad connection with the EBTCM. My 97 has the EBTCM right behind the differential. The connector is on the right hand side of the EBTCM. Mine was filled with dust, debris, dirt and actually was the cause of my problem. I believe the 99 and newer vettes have the EBTCM located in the front of the vehicle. You can test these wires as well to make sure the signal between the steering position sensor and the EBTCM is still good.
d. The EBTCM isn’t working properly. This would be a last resort for me as it is the most expensive part.
e. The last issue that could potentially cause this is the front wheels need to be aligned. If this error is cause from your alignment, it probably needed to be aligned anyway.
Good Luck!
Last edited by Stealthy4; Sep 25, 2007 at 06:17 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 5
From: Hayward CA
d. The EBTCM isn’t working properly. This would be a last resort for me as it is the most expensive part.
Do not buy a factory GM unit - you'll only end up with the same problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
so far mines been working well for 2 days straight now...thanks for the link though...that could make a huge difference in cost savings for someone...maybe even myself in the future...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 9
From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Its driving me nuts!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Just as a response to my own thread since I think I kind of figured out what was happening. This should be good for people who have a similar problem and use the search feature.
1. I was receiving code C1281 in the TCS module, which is the steering position sensor correlation malfunction.
2. I found a couple of reasons that potentially cause this error:
a. The most common one is that the steering rack and steering wheel were disconnected (usually for work to the engine). The steering wheel was then turned 360° to either the right or left (by accident) and then bolted back to the rack after all the other work was complete. In doing this, the sensor at the base of the steering wheel is now reading that the steering wheel has been turned 360° but the wheels of the car are headed straight and it can’t figure out why so it throws the code.
b. The sensor at the base of the steering wheel is bad and isn’t sending and receiving the proper signals to and from the EBTCM. The sensor at the base of the steering wheel has 6 wires going to it. The wiring connector on the EBTCM must be plugged in for this sensor to work (unless you are a master electrical guy and have it all rigged up) as the 5V source comes from the EBTCM. A good electrical dude can probably check all these different wires for the proper signals (or if you have a tech II). However, I didn’t have all the proper tools so I was only able to check the 5V signal, the ground, and the analog voltage signal. When straight ahead, you can use a multimeter to measure the voltage on the bottom light blue wire. The second wire from the top which is orange/black in color is a ground or you can use another ground. The voltage should read 2.5V (or close) when pointed straight ahead. If it’s much lower, the steering wheel was turned to the left. If much higher, it was turned to the right. You can check these same signals at the connection by the EBTCM.
i. 5V source from the EBTCM.
ii. Ground
iii. Phase A
iv. Phase B
v. Indexing Signal
vi. Analog Voltage Signal
c. The wiring between the sensor and the EBTCM is broken, corroded or has a bad connection with the EBTCM. My 97 has the EBTCM right behind the differential. The connector is on the right hand side of the EBTCM. Mine was filled with dust, debris, dirt and actually was the cause of my problem. I believe the 99 and newer vettes have the EBTCM located in the front of the vehicle. You can test these wires as well to make sure the signal between the steering position sensor and the EBTCM is still good.
d. The EBTCM isn’t working properly. This would be a last resort for me as it is the most expensive part.
e. The last issue that could potentially cause this is the front wheels need to be aligned. If this error is cause from your alignment, it probably needed to be aligned anyway.
Good Luck!
1. I was receiving code C1281 in the TCS module, which is the steering position sensor correlation malfunction.
2. I found a couple of reasons that potentially cause this error:
a. The most common one is that the steering rack and steering wheel were disconnected (usually for work to the engine). The steering wheel was then turned 360° to either the right or left (by accident) and then bolted back to the rack after all the other work was complete. In doing this, the sensor at the base of the steering wheel is now reading that the steering wheel has been turned 360° but the wheels of the car are headed straight and it can’t figure out why so it throws the code.
b. The sensor at the base of the steering wheel is bad and isn’t sending and receiving the proper signals to and from the EBTCM. The sensor at the base of the steering wheel has 6 wires going to it. The wiring connector on the EBTCM must be plugged in for this sensor to work (unless you are a master electrical guy and have it all rigged up) as the 5V source comes from the EBTCM. A good electrical dude can probably check all these different wires for the proper signals (or if you have a tech II). However, I didn’t have all the proper tools so I was only able to check the 5V signal, the ground, and the analog voltage signal. When straight ahead, you can use a multimeter to measure the voltage on the bottom light blue wire. The second wire from the top which is orange/black in color is a ground or you can use another ground. The voltage should read 2.5V (or close) when pointed straight ahead. If it’s much lower, the steering wheel was turned to the left. If much higher, it was turned to the right. You can check these same signals at the connection by the EBTCM.
i. 5V source from the EBTCM.
ii. Ground
iii. Phase A
iv. Phase B
v. Indexing Signal
vi. Analog Voltage Signal
c. The wiring between the sensor and the EBTCM is broken, corroded or has a bad connection with the EBTCM. My 97 has the EBTCM right behind the differential. The connector is on the right hand side of the EBTCM. Mine was filled with dust, debris, dirt and actually was the cause of my problem. I believe the 99 and newer vettes have the EBTCM located in the front of the vehicle. You can test these wires as well to make sure the signal between the steering position sensor and the EBTCM is still good.
d. The EBTCM isn’t working properly. This would be a last resort for me as it is the most expensive part.
e. The last issue that could potentially cause this is the front wheels need to be aligned. If this error is cause from your alignment, it probably needed to be aligned anyway.
Good Luck!
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Rob
Thats easy! Most of the time that I go into a 3 page write up about technical stuff only to find out the person who I'm writing to has NO idea what a meter is, what an OHM is or what a screw driver is for!
I can work up a tech procedure for you to follow Us 02 ZO6 guys need to stick together :
The sensor inside the drivers foot well at the base of the steering column and has FOUR wires:
There connected to pins 1, 2, 5 & 6 on the sensor.
Pin 1 is GRY and it will have a 5 VDC (4.9) reference sig from the EBCM. It also feeds the YAW rate sensor and the lateral rate sensor. i would also check for the voltage there. It is also a GRY wire.
Pin 2 is ORN/BLK and it will have a LOW REFF (sensor ground) Sig. It also goes to the YAW and lateral sensors as the same color wires.
Pin 5 is the Steering wheel position sensor signal phase A. It goes directly to the EBCM Lite green wire
Pin 6 is the Steering wheel position sensor signal phase B. It goes directly to the EBCM Lite Blue wire
If you disconnect the sensor plug, you should read (if i read the procedure correctly) .2 VDC on pin 5 & 6
Read the 5 VDC ref voltage to the Low reff pin 2, orange/blk wire should see 5 VDC. if you measure the low reff pin to ground it should not read any higher than 5 ohms.
If it were me,, I would hook up a jumper wire to pin #1 0n the sensor and when the steering wheel is straight, you should see The same output on pins 5 & 6. As you turn the wheel all the way right and left, you should see one pins voltage smoothly increase while the other one smoothly decreases.
Hope this helps.
BC
OK so I followed this procedure and want to make sure I didn't hose anything up.
Disconnected the SWPS connector.
Switched the Key to ON
Used my Digital Multimeter and followed the instructions above.
Using the Meter Leads read 5vdc across Grey to Orange/blk wire....check good!
read from orange/blk wire to light green wire....nothing 0 vdc.
same when reading from orange/blk wire to light blue wires.....0 vdc
next question is since the blue and green wire go directly to EBCM...is whether or not the connection is bad at the EBCM or is the EBCM bad?????
Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
I am at work right now and i need to get going for school because i have to write a stupid paper thats due tonight, but i will respond when i get a chance later this afternoon/evening...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Anyway with a paper clip inserted into the back of the connector (blue wire) while hooked up to the sensor. I rotated the steering wheel left and right and could never get the 2.5vdc with the steering wheel centered and the tires straight ahead....pretty conviced the sensor has bit the dust. I will report back later when I install a new sensor.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
I figured out that I needed the connector hooked up to the sensor to the blue and green wires....the grey one is vdc switched.
Anyway with a paper clip inserted into the back of the connector (blue wire) while hooked up to the sensor. I rotated the steering wheel left and right and could never get the 2.5vdc with the steering wheel centered and the tires straight ahead....pretty conviced the sensor has bit the dust. I will report back later when I install a new sensor.
Anyway with a paper clip inserted into the back of the connector (blue wire) while hooked up to the sensor. I rotated the steering wheel left and right and could never get the 2.5vdc with the steering wheel centered and the tires straight ahead....pretty conviced the sensor has bit the dust. I will report back later when I install a new sensor.
i guess what i am saying is that to actually install the sensor, its a pain in the butt so you may only want to do it once...if thats the case, i would buy a new one...if you dont mind tinkering for an while, you might save yourself some money...
let me know!
Rian
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Hey, before you go buying one of those sensors, i have an old one that i think it still works. Im not sure how you feel about this but if you want to give it a shot, it might be worth it as the sensor is fairly expensive even from a forum vendor...
i guess what i am saying is that to actually install the sensor, its a pain in the butt so you may only want to do it once...if thats the case, i would buy a new one...if you dont mind tinkering for an while, you might save yourself some money...
let me know!
Rian
i guess what i am saying is that to actually install the sensor, its a pain in the butt so you may only want to do it once...if thats the case, i would buy a new one...if you dont mind tinkering for an while, you might save yourself some money...
let me know!
Rian
Just to make sure that when reading the voltage...the starting reference voltage should be 2.5 vdc wheel and steering wheel straight right? It shouldn't start at 0 should it and go up or down either way?