What does it affect? car seems fine. Any long term affects if I just keep driving it? Anyone else ever have this code? I have a modded 98. I'm tempted to just turn it off with edit.

 

Aloha,
Are you sure thats the correct code?Only 1281 codes i see are..TCS is for the traction control system.
DTC C1281...Steering sensor Uncorrelated Malfunction..which can happen when the steering shaft is disconnected and the steering wheel is turned while the shaft is disconnected.

DTC P1281...Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 2.If i remember correctly,there are 3 of these sensors on the pedal that talk to TAC.This would indicate that the #2 sensor is bad.It will still work due to the other 2 still working.
Try to check the code again to verify what code you have.

 

Have you done any work lately that involved disconnecting the steering shaft??? When I pinned the crank for my SC install I ended up moving the steering wheel with the shaft disconnected and got the 1281 code until I fixed it recently.

 

 

Sorry I wanted to try something to see if it fixed it but no luck. When I look at the DIC the code reads 28-TCS C1281H Car runs fine, I ran my best time with this code active 12.37 My steering wheel has been clocked to the left about the 11 o-clock position for about 2 years now. I can't find anyone to align it, the dealer did the last one which cost me $150 and thats how they left the wheel.

How did you fix it? I had it apart in early spring but the code is recent. I got the code after fixing a vacuum leak which involved removing the exhaust and tunnel plate. ( I have a vacuum modulator on the tranny if you wandering)

 

Aloha bro,
Steering wheel rotated with steering gear disconnected.
Could be faulty steering wheel position sensor.
Repair requires scan tool and disabling the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint.
If the Steering Wheel Position Sensor Analog voltage is not within 2-3v, the Inflatable Restraint Wheel Module Coil (in the steering wheel and column) must be removed before the intermediate shaft can come out, as required.
If theres any shorting/grounding of the coil will result in SIR deployment and possible injury,and mess...Don't want that homie.

 

You may have a loose connection at the EBCTM at the rear of the car (you did remove exhaust). Make sure the connector lock at EBCTM is locked and wire to EBCTM is secure (If needed secure the EBCTM harness leading in to the EBCTM with tie wraps to prevent any movement of harness- especially when car goes over bumps).

 

Non of that sounds any fun Thanks for the info and time.


Thats what I was checking on and making sure was connected good but had no good luck with.

Thanks to all, one more track day and I guess I can spend all winter looking foward to fixing it.

 

I bought a 99 Coupe with 47k on it back in Sept. It was throwing some other codes so I cleared it and then it started throwing the 1286 code (related to 1281) and I haven't been able to fix it. Don't want to take it to the stealership 'cause I'm sure it will cost an arm and a leg I can clear it with the reset button after start up and it dosn't give me any other problems until shut down. Trac Control seems to work fine. Another forum member sent me the write up below I believe out of the maint. manual. If anyone has any suggestions on how to DIY fix it please let us know. Hope this helps

DTC C1281, C1283, or C1286
Circuit Description
The vehicle stability enhancement system (VSES) is activated by the electronic brake control mdoule (EBCM) calculating the desired yaw rate and comparing it to the actual yaw rate input. The desired yaw rate is calculated from measured steering wheel position, vehicle speed, and lateral acceleration. The difference between the desired yaw rate and actual yaw rate is the yaw rate error, which is a measurement of oversteer or understeer. If the yaw rate error becomes too large, the EBCM will attempt to correct the vehicle's yaw motion by applying differential braking to the left or right front wheel.

The amount of differential braking applied to the left or right front wheel is based on both the yaw rate error and side slip rate error. The side slip rate error is a function of the lateral acceleration minus the product of the yaw rate and vehicle speed. The yaw rate error and side slip rate error are combined to produce the total delta velocity error. When the delta velocity error becomes too large and the VSES system activates, the drivers steering inputs combined with the differential braking will attempt to bring the delta velocity error toward zero.

The VSES activations generally occur during aggressive driving, in the turns or bumpy roads without much use of the accelerator pedal. When braking during VSES activation, the brake pedal will feel different than the ABS pedal pulsation. The brake pedal pulsates at a higher frequency during VSES activation.

Conditions for Running the DTC
C1281
The steer angle has been centered.
The VSES is active.
The direction (understeer or oversteer) of the delta velocity error has not changed.
The centered lateral acceleration value is less than 0.5 g.
The yaw rate error is less than 6 degrees/second.
The side slip error is greater than 1.8 meters/second*second.
C1283
The vehicle speed is greater than 40 km/h (25 mph).

C1286
The steer angle has been centered.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
C1281
One of the following conditions exists:

The VSES is engaged for 10 seconds with the delta velocity error always in either understeer or oversteer. Under this condition, this DTC will set by itself.
The yaw rate error is greater than 10 degrees/second for 5 seconds. Under this condition, this DTC will set along with DTC C1282.
The yaw rate error is greater than 10 degrees/second with the vehicle speed less than 60 km/h (37 mph) and the acceleration pedal is pressed more than 25 percent of the pedal travel range for 1 second during the VSES activation. Under this condition, this DTC will set along with DTC C1282.
With the yaw rate less than 8 degrees/second, the side slip error is greater than 4.9 meters/second*second for 5 seconds. Under this condition, this DTC will set along with DTC C1284.
With the vehicle speed greater than 10 km/h (6.2 mph) and less than 100 km/h (62 mph) and the centered yaw rate has a value that is positive and is greater than 10 degrees/second, the oversteer term is negative for 2 seconds. The oversteer term is the yaw rate value times the lateral acceleration value. Under this condition, this DTC will set along with DTC C1284.
With the steer rate less than 80 degrees/second, the difference between the 2 steering sensor signals (Phase A and Phase B) is greater than 20 degrees for 1 second. Under this condition, this DTC will set along with DTC C1287.
C1283
The vehicle has driven for 10 minutes without completing steer angle centering.

C1286
The steering sensor bias moves greater than 40 degrees after steer centering was accomplished.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
The EBCM disables the VSES for the duration of the ignition cycle.
The Traction Control and Active Handling indicator turns ON.
The DIC displays the Service Active Handling message.
The ABS remains functional.
Conditions for Clearing the DTC
The condition for the DTC is no longer present and the DTC is cleared with a scan tool.
The EBCM automatically clears the history DTC when a current DTC is not detected in 100 consecutive drive cycles.
Diagnostic Aids
The scan tool may display 2 additional characters after the DTC. Take note of the 2 character code and any other DTCs that are set. The 2 character code is an engineering aid used in order to determine the specific criteria which caused the DTC to set.
During diagnosis, park the vehicle on a level surface.
Check the vehicle for proper alignment. The car should not pull in either direction while driving straight on a level surface.
Find out from the driver under what conditions the DTC was set (when the DIC displayed the Service Active Handling message). This information will help to duplicate the failure.
The Snapshot function on the scan tool can help find an intermittent DTC.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

Perform the Steering Position Sensor Test in order to verify that the steering wheel position sensor (SWPS) is operating properly.

Verify that the lateral accelerometer input parameter is within the valid range.

Verify that the yaw rate input parameter is within the valid range.

Step
Action
Values
Yes
No

Schematic Reference: ABS Schematics

Connector End View Reference: ABS Connector End Views or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Connector End Views

1
Did you perform the ABS Diagnostic System Check?
--
Go to Step 2
Go to Diagnostic System Check - ABS

2
Install a scan tool.
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
With the scan tool, perform the Steering Position Sensor Test.
Did the SWPS pass the test?
--
Go to Step 3
Go to Step 7

3
With a scan tool, observe the Lateral Accelerometer Input parameter in the VSES data list.

Does the scan tool display within the specified range?
2.3-2.7 V
Go to Step 4
Go to Step 8

4
With a scan tool, observe the Yaw Rate Sensor Input parameter in the VSES data list.

Does the scan tool display within the specified range?
2.3-2.7 V
Go to Step 5
Go to Step 9

5
Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
Perform the Diagnostic Test Drive. Refer to Diagnostic Test Drive .
Does the DTC reset?
--
Go to Step 6
Go to Diagnostic Aids

6
Replace the EBCM. Refer to Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?
--
Go to Step 10
--

7
Replace the steering wheel position sensor (SWPS). Refer to Steering Shaft, Lower Bearing, and Jacket - Disassemble - Off Vehicle and Steering Shaft, Lower Bearing, and Jacket - Assemble - Off Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt.

Did you complete the replacement?
--
Go to Step 10
--

8
Replace the lateral accelerometer sensor. Refer to Lateral Accelerometer Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?
--
Go to Step 10
--

9
Replace the yaw rate sensor. Refer to Yaw Rate Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?
--
Go to Step 10
--

10
Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.
Does the DTC reset?
--
Go to Step 2
System OK

 

 

BountyHunter: Do you have Active handling (not traction control) on your 99? If not, lots of the stuff in the post won't apply. I have a 99 W/O AH and I was throwing 1281 and 1286 codes due to steering sensor reading incorrectly after disconnect...by me If you don't have AH, I'd start first with checking the voltage of the steering sensor with the wheel centered....

 

good point, i was thinking about the absent of JL4(AH-active handling)on the 98-2000 cars w/out the JL4 option(2001 and later JL4(AH) is standard)also.

anyone ever replace the steering position sensor??