After reviewing forum history, I unplugged the steering sensor and checked the volts on the middle lt blue wire. The volts came in 11.7.
I assume this means the sensor is bad and should be replaced? Can someone confirm this?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

I cant recall everything you need to do until i consult the service manual, however, as i recall, you need to make sure the sensor is properly plugged in, and then take a reading off the wire. Usually a multimeter has wires that have a hard pointy end...almost needle like. you can either jam the point through the coating on the wire, or you can try to sneak it down in the back of the connector and touch some of the open wire/pin. You also need to make sure you have the proper wire. I cant remeber how many wires are in the connector but as i recall, it at least has a wire going to the EBTCM (not sure of the voltage) which tells the ebtcm to send a 5V signal to the steering sensor. This incoming 5V is atleast the 2nd wire, and then based on steering angle, the sensor, changes that 5V into something between 0 and 5. 0V is full steering wheel left. 2.5 is dead straight, and 5V is full lock to the right. This 0-5 signal is then sent back to the EBCM via another wire. That means thee atleast 3 wires...let me consult my service manual...

Assuming you find the right wire, rotate the wheel while the multimeter is plugged into the wire to monitor the changes. If it doesnt change, you probably have the wrong wire, keep trying til you find it. if none change, then theres definitely a problem. however, if you find the right wire and it is 2.5V straight ahead (or close to it) and 5V right and 0V left, then its probably that the signal isnt making it back to the EBTCM. therefore, it could mean the wire is broken, resulting in shorts to a ground, or the connector on the ebtcm is bad. I had this exact same problem and i found my ebtcm connector wasfull or dirt and dust. soon as i pulled it off the ebtcm, the stuff flew all over and in my face...i cleaned it out and reconnected it and now its fine. If you actually put holes in the wires when you are checking (which you will), use something to seal them back up so they dont corrode (which will be a HUGE problem...you can use anything you think will keep the moisture out...maybe just a dab of silicone over the hole you make.

 

Ok there is the service manual...your might be slightly different...not sure if you have a 97 (which is this service manual)

 

OK i see you have a 98 so its probably the same (even later years are probably the same...)

Anyway, it has 6 wires at the connector.
The top "box" on that drawing is the connector:
1- 5v Supply <-this one can be checked
2- Ground <-this one can be checked
3- PhaseA you need a tech2 to check it - a multimeter should just return 12V
4- PhaseB you need a tech2 to check it - multimeter shhold just return 12V
5- Index - should just return 12 V
6- This is the one you need to check - please notice there are TWO light blue wires...this is the one you need to check

 

Checked the first blue wire and the volts read 4.9. I will rotate the steering wheel 360 degrees to the left. I hope this works.

Thanks for the help!!!

 

have you had any front work done? engine, steering, suspension?

 

I replaced the heads and cam. So the answer to the question is yes and I must have let the steering wheel rotate during the removal process. I will find out today.

Thanks again.

 

You said 4.9...are the actual tires/wheels pointed straight ahead?

Straight ahead should equal 2.5

 

Wheels are straight ahead and I have 4.9V

 

just damn...

the hardest part is getting the steering column disconnected under the hood...its kind of under the brake booster. Rotate the wheel and then reconnect the shaft...before you fully connect the shaft, check the sensor again to make sure its close to 2.5v then tighten everything up...

oh i think you need to rotate to the left...

 

I rotated the wheel to the left and still get code C1281.
If I clear the codes and drive straight or turn left everything is OK.
If I turn to the right, the service engine soon light comes on and I get code C1281. I checked the volts and it reads 2.5v.

Do you think the steering sensor is out?

 

if the wheel is straight, the wheels are straight and the sensor reads 2.5V it should be good.

You say that it goes bad on right turns only. This means that something goes wrong with the volts on right turns. I would problbably hook up the multimeter and then either start the car or turn thekey so you can rotate the steering wheel. Turn the wheel with the multimeter plugged into the wire and watch the values as you turn to the right. see if they move towards 5v. if it does then i would think the sensor is OK (not 100% as there are other things that can go wrong, but a better chance). Next i would check that the signal is making it properly to the EBTCM. The wire that you are measuring at 2.5V runs all the way to the ebtcm. You should measure it at the ebtcm as well to make sure the signal is atleast making it to the ebtcm. I would then disconnect the wiring harness from the ebtcm and blow out any dust, debri, dirt, etc. then reconnect and see if you still get a code.

For the record, i have an old steering position sensor you can have. i replaced it thinking it was the problem but even after i replaced it, i still recieved the error...turned out to be a bad connection at the ebtcm. soon as i cleaned it out, it never came back. If you try everything above, you can have my extra sensor and test it against your old sensor, maybe it will fix the problem...who knows...

i know right where it is and when i removed it, i even reinstalled the locking pin so it should be locked just as it is when it came off the column..

 

Stealthy4,

I appreciate the help and your offer. I will do some more homework and see what I come up with.

Jeff

 

I get the damn 1281 error....randomly....usually after hitting cracks or expansion joints in the pavement.

Sometimes it comes on on long trips...but the code goes straight to History status.....is this a bad sensor?

Loose wire?

Suggestions?

To the OP, goodluck with getting this repaired...keep us informed.


JC