C1283 Front end alignment?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16
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C1283 Front end alignment?
I just bought a 2000 C5 that has been inm a rescent accident and had the front end aligned. The car is showing a C1283 code. When I drive the car straight it seems to be turned to the left by a couple degrees. Could this cause the C1283 code? If so would a proper alignment possibaly cure the code? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 18
From: Santa Fe TX
A proper alignment might cure it, but it might not be possible depending on the nature of the accident.
The steering wheel can also be off by a full rotation, or even 2.
I would start with a proper alignment and if the code is still on, then disconnect the steering shaft pinch bolt turn 360 right. test
If that doesn't work, 720 left (2 turns) test
If all else fails you may have a bad steering wheel position sensor.
The steering wheel can also be off by a full rotation, or even 2.
I would start with a proper alignment and if the code is still on, then disconnect the steering shaft pinch bolt turn 360 right. test
If that doesn't work, 720 left (2 turns) test
If all else fails you may have a bad steering wheel position sensor.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
I just bought a 2000 C5 that has been inm a rescent accident and had the front end aligned. The car is showing a C1283 code. When I drive the car straight it seems to be turned to the left by a couple degrees. Could this cause the C1283 code? If so would a proper alignment possibaly cure the code? Thanks.
When you first start the car, before driving, is that when the C1283 occurs (SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message displayed) ???? If so, the cause is probably a bad yaw rate sensor, but you'll need someone with a Tech2 (basically a dealer) to fully diagnose the problem.
If, however, the message appears when you are driving the car (above 25 MPH), then it is possible the alignment is off enough to cause the error .... but I'd take the car to a good body shop and have them look at the frame .... if the car has already had an ""alignment" and it is causing a C1283 you may have a bent frame, in fact a badly bent/damaged frame ..... and that needs to be dealt with first.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The code indicates the car is being driven for a period of 10 minutes and the steering hasn't centered yet. Several things could cause this including the steering being out of line, a bad Steering Wheel Sensor, a bad yaw rate sensor, bad lateral acceleration sensor, or a bad EBCM.
Since you already have said the steering seems to be grossly out of line I would start there by getting it aligned properly. Make sure you go some place that understands a C5's systems and that an alignment problem can cause an error in the system. Joe Blow's shop down the road can get confused quite easily over something like this.
As the car had been in an accident it is possible the steering wheel cannot be centered properly to keep the code from re-occurring and additional chassis repairs may be required.
If are still getting the code when finally sure the alignment isn't causing the problem then start looking at the other potential sources of the code.
Bill
Since you already have said the steering seems to be grossly out of line I would start there by getting it aligned properly. Make sure you go some place that understands a C5's systems and that an alignment problem can cause an error in the system. Joe Blow's shop down the road can get confused quite easily over something like this.
As the car had been in an accident it is possible the steering wheel cannot be centered properly to keep the code from re-occurring and additional chassis repairs may be required.
If are still getting the code when finally sure the alignment isn't causing the problem then start looking at the other potential sources of the code.
Bill
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
The car side swipped something only panel replacement. Steering shaft never loosened from rack and pinion. Frame has already been checked and is good. Steering not grosely out. Steering wheel just turned left a couple degrees when going straight. Active handling warming up after I drive about a quarter mile. Thanks
Last edited by kggunter; Jul 22, 2008 at 09:46 PM.
