1998 Steering Wheel Position Sensor?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 80
From: Florida, Tampa Bay
1998 Steering Wheel Position Sensor?
I get the 1287 code sometimes and was wondering what symptoms my car would exhibit if the sensor is bad or going bad. With alignment car seems to wander. Not sure what it would affect on a 98?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
When the sensor starts going bad, it doesn't cause the car to wander. It will send glitches that the computer will pick up and disable the active handling systems. If your car is wandering its possible that whatever is causing that is tripping the code. Before laying out the bucks to change the sensor out which is mounted at the base of the steering column, take your car to an alignment shop and have them check things out. Its possible you might only need an alignment.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: Whitesboro Texas
When the sensor starts going bad, it doesn't cause the car to wander. It will send glitches that the computer will pick up and disable the active handling systems. If your car is wandering its possible that whatever is causing that is tripping the code. Before laying out the bucks to change the sensor out which is mounted at the base of the steering column, take your car to an alignment shop and have them check things out. Its possible you might only need an alignment.
I had my sensor replaced just last month for the same code. It was disabling the active handling, and would jerk from time to time to the side, from activating one of the brakes. I had the alignment checked, but it was fine. However, my car drove straight. I thought it was worth it to check that before replacing the sensor. By the way, the cost to replace it was right at $400 including parts and labor at the dealership (I trust my dealership for repairs, but buying from them is a totally different story).
