Finally replaced the harmonic damper
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Finally replaced the harmonic damper
After a few months of hemming and hawing, combined with getting all the needed parts and tools together, I finally swapped out the OE damper for an ATI piece. After getting everything back together, the steering wheel is off a tick to the right.
Coincidentally, I was due for my annual state inspection, which is done by my front end alignment guru. He said, "No big deal, as it sometimes happens, the rack isn't quite back in the exact same spot as it was". He wasn't prepared to do an alignment today, so I have to go back next week. No big deal.
Here's my question, however.... the assistant at the shop said he had heard of situations where cars that have active handling systems have to have the car's steering wheel position sensor "re-homed" to the BCM, using the TechII tool, after the rack is in and out. Is there any truth to this?
TIA..........
Coincidentally, I was due for my annual state inspection, which is done by my front end alignment guru. He said, "No big deal, as it sometimes happens, the rack isn't quite back in the exact same spot as it was". He wasn't prepared to do an alignment today, so I have to go back next week. No big deal.
Here's my question, however.... the assistant at the shop said he had heard of situations where cars that have active handling systems have to have the car's steering wheel position sensor "re-homed" to the BCM, using the TechII tool, after the rack is in and out. Is there any truth to this?
TIA..........
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
IF,, you have ACTIVE HANDLING,,,,, the steering wheel Position Sensor needs to be at ZERO for the EBTCM to function properly. NOT the BCM! If its significantly off center, it will error out and cause handling issues OR throw codes. You cant adjust the SWPS but you can move the steering wheel back to center.
YES the TECH 2 can show you the angle or degree off set from ZERO.. The real fix is get the suspension (wheels ) back to true zero and the SWPS back to zero. (with respect to the wheels) for proper operation.
Fix the SWPS Issue first. Set the wheels to true zero and check to see where the SWPS is vis TECH 2 and reposition the steering wheel to the correct position.
BC
YES the TECH 2 can show you the angle or degree off set from ZERO.. The real fix is get the suspension (wheels ) back to true zero and the SWPS back to zero. (with respect to the wheels) for proper operation.
Fix the SWPS Issue first. Set the wheels to true zero and check to see where the SWPS is vis TECH 2 and reposition the steering wheel to the correct position.
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Sep 6, 2013 at 06:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
IF,, you have ACTIVE HANDLING,,,,, the steering wheel Position Sensor needs to be at ZERO for the EBTCM to function properly. NOT the BCM! If its significantly off center, it will error out and cause handling issues OR throw codes. You cant adjust the SWPS but you can move the steering wheel back to center.
YES the TECH 2 can show you the angle or degree off set from ZERO.. The real fix is get the suspension (wheels ) back to true zero and the SWPS back to zero. (with respect to the wheels) for proper operation.
Fix the SWPS Issue first. Set the wheels to true zero and check to see where the SWPS is vis TECH 2 and reposition the steering wheel to the correct position.
BC
YES the TECH 2 can show you the angle or degree off set from ZERO.. The real fix is get the suspension (wheels ) back to true zero and the SWPS back to zero. (with respect to the wheels) for proper operation.
Fix the SWPS Issue first. Set the wheels to true zero and check to see where the SWPS is vis TECH 2 and reposition the steering wheel to the correct position.
BC
(I haven't gone to check the diagnostics on the DIC yet, will do that later today)
Again, TIA!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
You didn't say you're getting any codes or service AH messages so just reset the alignment. As I posted before to your question of having to do something special with a tech2 to "re-home" the SWPS when the rack is out - No.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Now I understand your issue.
YES,,,,,, you need an alignment. HOWEVER, Make SURE that you discuss your steering wheel off center issue with the alignment tech so that he can make sure that he does the adjustments to center the steering wheel.
That will put everything back to normal.
BC
YES,,,,,, you need an alignment. HOWEVER, Make SURE that you discuss your steering wheel off center issue with the alignment tech so that he can make sure that he does the adjustments to center the steering wheel.
That will put everything back to normal.
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
If you don't have access to a tech 2 you can use a VOM to measure voltage. It should be 2.5V at dead center. Use the search button, there were several discussion on how to do this years ago. Back 10+ years ago, I lowered, counter weighed and aligned my vette for autocrossing and had the code. Using that information I found my voltage was closer to 4.5V. I set the steering wheel, did the alignment, disconnected the mast from the steering connection, got the sensor to 2.5V and reconnected everything. Now problems since then.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
I checked for codes on my DIC and there aren't any. I won't be able to get the car on the alignment rack for another week or so, as "life" just keeps getting in the way. Nonetheless, the steering wheel being off center was bothering me, so I jacked the car up, and crawled under it a little while ago, and adjusted the toe by 0.020" on each side, and the steering wheel is now straight up.....