'99 Steering wheel position sensor fault
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
'99 Steering wheel position sensor fault
Any idea what I can do? We have safety testing here in NZ and It has failed due to this part needing replacing, so I am unable to drive the car legally until I have it fixed, and I cant find the part anywhere. I'm in a tough spot and don't know what to do...
DTCs:
C1287 - Steering Sensor Rate Malfunction
C1286 - Steering Sensor Bias Malfunction
I litterely have a useless car because of a small part.
Is there some way I cam programme active handling and/or abs out of the car so I can get rid of the warnings on the dash so it passes inspection? - The inspection checks 'no warnings appear on the dash relating to ABS' If the display doesn't show it then it should hopefully pass.
DTCs:
C1287 - Steering Sensor Rate Malfunction
C1286 - Steering Sensor Bias Malfunction
I litterely have a useless car because of a small part.
Is there some way I cam programme active handling and/or abs out of the car so I can get rid of the warnings on the dash so it passes inspection? - The inspection checks 'no warnings appear on the dash relating to ABS' If the display doesn't show it then it should hopefully pass.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
Since you have nothing to lose, see if you can find some tv tuner cleaner. Don't know if it's even made anymore. Spray some in the sensor and work the wheel back and forth a few times. i've not tried this but it may help clean the sensor up.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
Called Electrical Contact Cleaner and still sold in some auto parts stores in the USA. Was also available from Radio Shack once upon a time. I still use it to clean the key pellet sensor wire inside the key cylinder of the C5..... Worth a try but probably will not make a difference. I have seen a couple posts on the Forum by early C5 owners that have tried it without success. 
Cheers for your comments, but this doesn't leave me many options..
Ill pull the sensor out later and check it out/clean it but my hopes aren't held high.
I see one for sale on ebay which will end up costing me quite a lot - 600 NZD with shipping and taxes by the time it gets here. Plus its used so no guarantee it will even work or stay working for long...
Surely there is a way to put in an aftermarket BCM/ECU or something? Remove the whole computer system and replace it with something standard. Would be a shame to loose abs and active handling, but better than not being able to drive it.
Short of that I'll have to get rid of it at a major loss, as it is completely useless to me at the moment.
Last edited by grasshopper645; Apr 13, 2015 at 08:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,629
Likes: 16
From: York PA
Cheers for your comments, but this doesn't leave me many options..
Ill pull the sensor out later and check it out/clean it but my hopes aren't held high.
I see one for sale on ebay which will end up costing me quite a lot - 600 NZD with shipping and taxes by the time it gets here. Plus its used so no guarantee it will even work or stay working for long...
Surely there is a way to put in an aftermarket BCM/ECU or something? Remove the whole computer system and replace it with something standard. Would be a shame to loose abs and active handling, but better than not being able to drive it.
Short of that I'll have to get rid of it at a major loss, as it is completely useless to me at the moment.
Ill pull the sensor out later and check it out/clean it but my hopes aren't held high.
I see one for sale on ebay which will end up costing me quite a lot - 600 NZD with shipping and taxes by the time it gets here. Plus its used so no guarantee it will even work or stay working for long...
Surely there is a way to put in an aftermarket BCM/ECU or something? Remove the whole computer system and replace it with something standard. Would be a shame to loose abs and active handling, but better than not being able to drive it.
Short of that I'll have to get rid of it at a major loss, as it is completely useless to me at the moment.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
Caution if you do remove it. When the part was new (and available new) it had an alignment plastic pin inserted so that when installed the device would be electrically centered without any special procedure. If you remove it you WILL have to go through the process to electrically center the device. I looked a bit for the procedure I mentioned but have yet to find it. I know it can also be done with a TECH II but I suspect you don't have access to one of those...
While you may not be any worse after you remove it you almost certainly will not be any better without it being centered electrically upon reinstall.
Unlike your country inspection only a few states have that rigid of an inspection that would ban driving the car with your issue. Several Forum members have the same or similar problem and just drive the car as is....
While you may not be any worse after you remove it you almost certainly will not be any better without it being centered electrically upon reinstall.
Unlike your country inspection only a few states have that rigid of an inspection that would ban driving the car with your issue. Several Forum members have the same or similar problem and just drive the car as is....
If I could still legally drive the vehicle then I would just leave it, but I cant so am completely stuck.
Is it possible to completely remove the dash and replace it with some aftermarket one? I would have to get the car recomplied without ABS but at least that is possible. As long as it has 'ABS Fitted' it MUST pass the 'ABS Self test' at startup to be issued road legal.
Currently my only option is to sell it for 1/4 of its value - a HUGE loss for me, but it may end up being my only option, unless I just use it as a track car which I have no interest in doing.
Other cars can put in aftermarket ecu's, is that possible with my c5?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
Unfortunately once its put into the computer system as having failed that specific issue must be repaired and entered into the system before it can be past. A mechanic willing to put false info into a government system like that could face very serious consequences if they were caught. I'm sure people would do it, but I know of no one.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
http://www.ebay.com/itm/99-00-Corvette-C5-Steering-Column-Position-Sensor-/141632604708?hash=item20f9f60a24&vxp=mtr
Last edited by 92GA; Apr 14, 2015 at 08:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
That is a great idea. Pull it in and clear them. I bet they don't take it for a drive.
Here are some links on the SWPS:
http://www.ddisoftware.com/c5-procs/
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ring-rack.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...on-sensor.html
Here are some links on the SWPS:
http://www.ddisoftware.com/c5-procs/
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ring-rack.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...on-sensor.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
So I am watching the Disney film “Robots” with the grand kids and the plot includes the villain Phineas T. Ratchet, who has taken over Bigweld Industries and is about to discontinue the manufacture of spare parts (IE Steering Wheel Position Sensors). Ratchet believes the company can make more profit if it stops making spare parts for older robots and focuses on selling more expensive upgrades (IE current model robots). And I thought of GM (the Phineas T. Ratchet of our world) and my aging C5 robot that will be destined for the scrap heap because I won’t buy a C7.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Someone posted a heads up about a new SWPS that was available on ebay last fall and I immediately snapped it up. There has been one other new one come up a few months ago. I would question fParts about how they "tested the one they are offering. I would hate to spend that kind of money on a used part that has function electrical parts. I would try to hold out for another new part to surface if possible, they do show up from time to time.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 2
try this
I have no explanation why this worked. With both front wheels off the ground I pushed the wheels all the way to left lock back to center then to right lock and back to center, looking for signs of wear. Had previously cleared codes. Went for a test ride and checked codes, no codes. This lasted for several short trips and checks. Eventually Traction , SWP code came back. Just for s.&g,s tried the same procedure, worked again for several short trips. Traction control and ABS remained fully function able through all of this. Had removed all connectors from SWP sensor, scraped them , sprayed them with CRC and replaced them, this did not change anything by itself but after the lock to lock check codes remained clear. I tried it with wheels on the ground and used the steering wheel to go lock to lock, no change. Hope this might help you.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
So I am watching the Disney film “Robots” with the grand kids and the plot includes the villain Phineas T. Ratchet, who has taken over Bigweld Industries and is about to discontinue the manufacture of spare parts (IE Steering Wheel Position Sensors). Ratchet believes the company can make more profit if it stops making spare parts for older robots and focuses on selling more expensive upgrades (IE current model robots). And I thought of GM (the Phineas T. Ratchet of our world) and my aging C5 robot that will be destined for the scrap heap because I won’t buy a C7.
Thanks for your comments, i'll pull the sensor out and check the pins match up. - I didn't realize the swps was different across the 97-00 c5's.. How many different discontinued swps are there?
With regards to resetting the codes - There are no emissions testing here (a bit ironic) but they will stop and restart the car. Even if I clear the codes it seems to reappear when you turn the ignition off - not always but most of the time, so would be a bit of a crap shoot to time it correctly.
If I reset the code while the engine is running, will that extinguish the abs light? (I will try when I get back home today)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand