I know theres a smarty pants out there somewhere that knows whats going on!

 

Active Handling Warming Up means the car is trying to determine where straight ahead is located. It uses the steering sensor and the wheel speed sensors to determine that. Each time the engine is started this calibration routine is run. If the wheel speeds on the car are changing from side to side and/or the steering sensor is sending a signal that is varying you will get the message. If the alignment is way off so the steering wheel has to be turned to one side or the other to make the car go straight the steering sensor will be sending a signal that may be close to being out of tolerance and could delay calibration. Another thing that could cause this problem is the sensor being out of position. Since you just had the engine out of the car it is probably likely the steering shaft was disconnected from the steering rack. Was the steering shaft locked into place so it couldn't be turned as the SM directs whenever the shaft is disconnected? If the shaft was turned one complete turn you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at the steering wheel but the steering sensor is able to measure steering angle from lock to lock which is more than one turn in either direction. If the shaft was turned one complete turn then the sensor is telling the EBCM the front wheels are pointed some other direction than straight ahead even though they are actually pointing straight ahead. The calibration is designed to account for wear in the steering system, however, one complete turn is way beyond any wear the system was designed to compensate.


To check the steering sensor follow this from the SM:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Disable the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR). Refer to Disabling the SIR System in SIR.
3. Remove the Inflatable Restraint Wheel Module Coil. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column.
4. Remove the Intermediate Shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, engine off.
6. Using a scan tool monitor the Steering Wheel Position Sensors analog voltage as you rotate the steering column shaft.
7. Turn the steering column shaft until the analog voltage is close to 2.5 volts.

You can use a DMM instead of the Tech 2 to measure the analog voltage at the sensor. It is terminal 6 on the sensor and a light blue wire goes to it. You will probably have to figure out a way to get a DMM lead into the connector while it is connected. Make sure you fasten the other lead of the DMM to a good ground.

Bill