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Had the c5 in for the rear main seal and finally have no more burning oil smell while driving. At the same time, the shop noticed the rack leaking so I had them swap the rack with a rebuilt one. All was good driving home until the last turn to my neighborhood, which is a bit of a decline entrance. Car grabbed the brakes and shuddered and the active handling popped up. Did it again on the incline area leading to my house. Took the car out to the gym, ran fine other than a random active handling message with no braking. Just took the car out this morning and got on it a bit and after a slight turn, the active handling came on and I tried applying the brakes a bit and they grabbed and shuddered. Each time this happens, the brakes are growling a bit (not sure else how to describe). There is a distinct noise as if they are dragging. Will be bringing the car back to the shop but curious if there is something that would throw this off - car was fine before bringing it in. Almost feel like a brake line is pinched or something because the brakes grabbing is so random.
What year C5?
Also see if you have any fault codes on the DIC.
If you have an earlier C5, it could be that the steering wheel was rotated (i.e. a full turn) during rack replacement and the index position of the SWPS (steering wheel position sensor) no longer occurs when the car is steering straight.
My next thought is that the steering centering is off. Determining this requires a Tech 2 / scanner that can access EBCM data, to read SWPS voltages / steering angle and see if it's decently far off-center. Probably not likely, though.
Beyond that, could be something up with a front wheel speed sensor, but diagnosing that is challenging with no fault codes. Again you could use something like a Tech 2 to watch live data and see if anything doesn't jive.
Unfortunately it is probably something related to the steering position/EBCM related wiring. The connector below oftens gets damaged or forgotten about. It has the SWPS and brake pressure wiring. Worth a look.
Last edited by lucky131969; May 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM.
Unfortunately it is probably something related to the steering position/EBCM related wiring. The connector below oftens gets damaged or forgotten about. It has the SWPS and brake pressure wiring. Worth a look.
so that would need to be disconnected when swapping the rack?
Unfortunately it is probably something related to the steering position/EBCM related wiring. The connector below oftens gets damaged or forgotten about. It has the SWPS and brake pressure wiring. Worth a look.
This can happens when the steering rack is removed and then replaced. . The steering wheel attaching point gets rotated 360 degrees and when the new unit goes in and bolted up the SWPS voltage checks do not match and AH and ABS go away. Often the C1281 code is activated sometime the C1286 or C1287 code. Use your DIC display to check your codes
This can happens when the steering rack is removed and then replaced. . The steering wheel attaching point gets rotated 360 degrees and when the new unit goes in and bolted up the SWPS voltage checks do not match and AH and ABS go away. Often the C1281 code is activated sometime the C1286 or C1287 code. Use your DIC display to check your codes
thanks - will have the shop check the swps voltage. No codes popped either time and nothing in history.
This can happens when the steering rack is removed and then replaced. . The steering wheel attaching point gets rotated 360 degrees and when the new unit goes in and bolted up the SWPS voltage checks do not match and AH and ABS go away. Often the C1281 code is activated sometime the C1286 or C1287 code. Use your DIC display to check your codes
Nope. That is only for earlier C5s where the SWPS has an index output. 2001-2004 SWPS does not output an index signal. OP mentioned their C5 is a 2002. And literally in the 3rd post OP mentioned no codes.
Active Handling issue after rack replacement
