1287 code, swerve vs. no-swerve
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 302
1287 code, swerve vs. no-swerve
Some context first:
My 2002 randomly swerved and then code 1287 came up.
I had the steering wheel position sensor replaced.
It did the random-swerve thing on the way to the shop too, and then I had no issues for about 1000 miles, so I'm pretty sure the sensor was just bad.
But now I'm getting a "service vehicle soon" message, and active handling gets disabled, and the same code gets set... But, there has been no swerving. Same code, but different symptoms.
I'm guessing the sensor is just fine, because it's new, and it's not causing random swerves like the bad sensor. So there's probably something else wrong now... but what? I'm going to clean the sensor connector, but if anyone has ideas about other maintenance / troubleshooting steps that I should take, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks!
My 2002 randomly swerved and then code 1287 came up.
I had the steering wheel position sensor replaced.
It did the random-swerve thing on the way to the shop too, and then I had no issues for about 1000 miles, so I'm pretty sure the sensor was just bad.
But now I'm getting a "service vehicle soon" message, and active handling gets disabled, and the same code gets set... But, there has been no swerving. Same code, but different symptoms.
I'm guessing the sensor is just fine, because it's new, and it's not causing random swerves like the bad sensor. So there's probably something else wrong now... but what? I'm going to clean the sensor connector, but if anyone has ideas about other maintenance / troubleshooting steps that I should take, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,413
Likes: 1,144
From: Dyer, IN
Some context first:
My 2002 randomly swerved and then code 1287 came up.
I had the steering wheel position sensor replaced.
It did the random-swerve thing on the way to the shop too, and then I had no issues for about 1000 miles, so I'm pretty sure the sensor was just bad.
But now I'm getting a "service vehicle soon" message, and active handling gets disabled, and the same code gets set... But, there has been no swerving. Same code, but different symptoms.
I'm guessing the sensor is just fine, because it's new, and it's not causing random swerves like the bad sensor. So there's probably something else wrong now... but what? I'm going to clean the sensor connector, but if anyone has ideas about other maintenance / troubleshooting steps that I should take, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks!
My 2002 randomly swerved and then code 1287 came up.
I had the steering wheel position sensor replaced.
It did the random-swerve thing on the way to the shop too, and then I had no issues for about 1000 miles, so I'm pretty sure the sensor was just bad.
But now I'm getting a "service vehicle soon" message, and active handling gets disabled, and the same code gets set... But, there has been no swerving. Same code, but different symptoms.
I'm guessing the sensor is just fine, because it's new, and it's not causing random swerves like the bad sensor. So there's probably something else wrong now... but what? I'm going to clean the sensor connector, but if anyone has ideas about other maintenance / troubleshooting steps that I should take, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks!
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,561
Likes: 4,030
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Some context first:
My 2002 randomly swerved and then code 1287 came up.
I had the steering wheel position sensor replaced.
It did the random-swerve thing on the way to the shop too, and then I had no issues for about 1000 miles, so I'm pretty sure the sensor was just bad.
But now I'm getting a "service vehicle soon" message, and active handling gets disabled, and the same code gets set... But, there has been no swerving. Same code, but different symptoms.
I'm guessing the sensor is just fine, because it's new, and it's not causing random swerves like the bad sensor. So there's probably something else wrong now... but what? I'm going to clean the sensor connector, but if anyone has ideas about other maintenance / troubleshooting steps that I should take, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks!
My 2002 randomly swerved and then code 1287 came up.
I had the steering wheel position sensor replaced.
It did the random-swerve thing on the way to the shop too, and then I had no issues for about 1000 miles, so I'm pretty sure the sensor was just bad.
But now I'm getting a "service vehicle soon" message, and active handling gets disabled, and the same code gets set... But, there has been no swerving. Same code, but different symptoms.
I'm guessing the sensor is just fine, because it's new, and it's not causing random swerves like the bad sensor. So there's probably something else wrong now... but what? I'm going to clean the sensor connector, but if anyone has ideas about other maintenance / troubleshooting steps that I should take, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks!
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
I'm having the exact same symptoms as you. I had numerous intermittent, 1287 and 1288 codes , often accompanied by the random brake input by the TCS system. Always in history in the DIC, never current.
I recently replaced my sensor with a new oneAnd all was good for about a hundred miles.But now just got the same thing, where there was no braking by the system but it gave me a service active handling and both codes were present.
One thing I noticed when replacing the sensor, the wiring connector to the sensor looked a little "loose" like when visualizing the female pins in the connector and the male pins on the sensor it just didn't look like it would be a very snug fit when connected. So maybe there's something going on there?
I recently replaced my sensor with a new oneAnd all was good for about a hundred miles.But now just got the same thing, where there was no braking by the system but it gave me a service active handling and both codes were present.
One thing I noticed when replacing the sensor, the wiring connector to the sensor looked a little "loose" like when visualizing the female pins in the connector and the male pins on the sensor it just didn't look like it would be a very snug fit when connected. So maybe there's something going on there?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
Upon further review, it doesn't look to me like it's the connector wiring, at least when just visually looking at it.
Was your new sensor actually a genuine GM part? My new one is a Standard Motor Product brand.
Also, now, my code trips like instantly after starting the car, very different from what it did before I swapped sensors. And I'll also get a current code in addition to history code.
Maybe I should try a different sensor i'm stumped...
Was your new sensor actually a genuine GM part? My new one is a Standard Motor Product brand.
Also, now, my code trips like instantly after starting the car, very different from what it did before I swapped sensors. And I'll also get a current code in addition to history code.
Maybe I should try a different sensor i'm stumped...
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 302
Oh great. I may have gotten the last one.
I'm told that there is a troubleshooting procedure for these codes, but I don't know any of the details. But a dealership might be able to help figure out whether the problem is wiring or the sensor itself.
I basically just guessed, and I apparently guessed right, but there are other possible root causes besides the sensor itself.
I'm told that there is a troubleshooting procedure for these codes, but I don't know any of the details. But a dealership might be able to help figure out whether the problem is wiring or the sensor itself.
I basically just guessed, and I apparently guessed right, but there are other possible root causes besides the sensor itself.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 414
From: New Jersey
Oh great. I may have gotten the last one.
I'm told that there is a troubleshooting procedure for these codes, but I don't know any of the details. But a dealership might be able to help figure out whether the problem is wiring or the sensor itself.
I basically just guessed, and I apparently guessed right, but there are other possible root causes besides the sensor itself.
I'm told that there is a troubleshooting procedure for these codes, but I don't know any of the details. But a dealership might be able to help figure out whether the problem is wiring or the sensor itself.
I basically just guessed, and I apparently guessed right, but there are other possible root causes besides the sensor itself.