DTC C1281 and C1288.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
From: Redding CA
DTC C1281 and C1288.
I took my steering shaft off the rack and accidentally spun the shaft. Have no clue how many times, but now I have these codes. What do I have to do to get the steering wheel position sensor happy?
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
You will need to search for how to reset the steering wheel relative to the air bag. The air bag has a thin wire to it, and it only allows the wheel to turn so far before it will break. There is a procedure to align the wheel to the air bag. Hopefully you haven't killed the air bag.
I was able to get my sensor working by removing it from the column, then turning it past its normal limits while reading the pot using an ohm meter. You need a multi-meter with the ability to turn off auto ranging. Otherwise its hard to tell if the meter is hunting between ranges or the pot is intermittent.
There is a small hole in the bottom of the sensor for a pin to lock it in the neutral, center, position. I just set it to the middle of its range using the ohm meter. Then slid it back onto the column so that the tab locked into the slot on the column. If its a multi-turn pot you can't just put a pin in and turn the pot until the pin locks it up. You will need a multi-meter with a resistance, ohm, setting. Different years have different pin-outs. I believe there are at least two different types.
Good luck.
I was able to get my sensor working by removing it from the column, then turning it past its normal limits while reading the pot using an ohm meter. You need a multi-meter with the ability to turn off auto ranging. Otherwise its hard to tell if the meter is hunting between ranges or the pot is intermittent.
There is a small hole in the bottom of the sensor for a pin to lock it in the neutral, center, position. I just set it to the middle of its range using the ohm meter. Then slid it back onto the column so that the tab locked into the slot on the column. If its a multi-turn pot you can't just put a pin in and turn the pot until the pin locks it up. You will need a multi-meter with a resistance, ohm, setting. Different years have different pin-outs. I believe there are at least two different types.
Good luck.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Hopefully you haven't hurt the air bag clock spring by turning the wheel to far. Another way to check the sensor position is to use a voltmeter to read the voltage across pins 5 and 6 of the sensor. You will need to jury rig some wires into the connector so you can hook up the meter while the connector is connected. As you turn the wheel with the ignition on the voltage will increase or decrease. If it increases turn the wheel the other way. If it decreases keep turning until it starts to go back up. The wheel will be centered once the voltage is at its lowest level.
Bill
Bill
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 16
From: Austin Tx
You will need a steering wheel puller and I dont know if the air bag takes a special removal tool or not. My C4 just had 2 torx screws to remove the air bag but I think the C5's take a flat bar tool to unhook the air bag. Check your service manual. The tool is not very much to buy if you need it.
Dave
Dave
