When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Can I reset the steering angle sensor without a scanner? If I need a scanner which one do you guys recommend? The alignment shop doesn't know how to do this so I'm stuck with a car that's triggering traction control all the time 🤷
Can I reset the steering angle sensor without a scanner? If I need a scanner which one do you guys recommend? The alignment shop doesn't know how to do this so I'm stuck with a car that's triggering traction control all the time 🤷
I bought this Amazon device and installed x tool on an Android tablet their website promises you can do a steering angle sensor reset. Can't find it anywhere. My YouTube video attached shows you me going back and forth through it. Is there something I'm not seeing?
Your problem is they turned the steering far enough to upset the steering angle. If you have a 97-00, you can check the voltage on the sensor under the dash attached to the steering wheel, down by the fire wall. for 2001-04 I am not sure how to do it without using a Tech 2 scan tool. if you have a 97-00 here is a way to measure it and correct it. Happened to me 20 years ago
I pulled the rack to put a harmonic balancer. I used a broom handle to hold the steering wheel so it didn't ever turn at all for any reason no matter what any amount guaranteed. Using a scanner I prove no damage as a result of this repair. The problem is that the steering shaft was disconnected and reconnected to the rack. As a result the steering wheel was turned 5° to the left and they had to adjust to tie rods to get the steering wheel back to straight. Now it doesn't match this steering position sensor. Need to reprogram position sensor
2nd rule of auto repair...
After you figured out what you F*****up to cause the problem, you go back and correct it, instead of trying to find a workaround.
ASE Certified Master Tech
BMW Factory Trained Master Tech
NASA Certified Race Tech Inspector
Pro tech since 1977
Etc....
2nd rule of auto repair...
After you figured out what you F*****up to cause the problem, you go back and correct it, instead of trying to find a workaround.
ASE Certified Master Tech
BMW Factory Trained Master Tech
NASA Certified Race Tech Inspector
Pro tech since 1977
Etc....
Your comments come across as being harsh. Did you mean to do that?
When reconnecting the steering column the exact lineup will be slightly different from how it was before. It is secure but now everything needs to get programmed according to it's alignment where the rack is bolted to the frame and how the pinch bolt is tightened to the steering column. There's nothing actually wrong with the installation but the alignment doesn't match the steering angle sensor. The guys are doing the alignment refuse to adjust the caster even though it's a hunter system and the hunter rep says that they have the ability to plug in the hunter system and reset the steering angle sensor. The rep is telling me they're just being lazy. Looks like I'm going to a dedicated alignment shop so that they can set the caster on the right front wheel and they can reset the SAS
It's frustrating trying to help with internet problems...
Made more frustrating when the whole story doesn't come out until later.
How is it that the steering wheel wound up 5 degrees off of straight ahead? Something changed....
First rule: When a new problem arises immediately after other work is performed, look back to that work as the cause. Won't be every time, but it's a safe bet!
Second rule: If you've f***** something up to cause that problem, restore it to how it's supposed to be, instead of trying to get around it.
Drilled into me very early in my apprenticeship, and taken as just a matter of course by any skilled technician.
In this case, you knew exactly what was different, and right away.
5 degrees is a big change. What caused it in the first place? Seems like a lot to be caused just by manufacturing tolerance.
Sorry for being harsh, but one of your posts included the footer "ASE Certified..."
Last edited by Nowanker; Aug 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM.
It's frustrating trying to help with internet problems...
Made more frustrating when the whole story doesn't come out until later.
How is it that the steering wheel wound up 5 degrees off of straight ahead? Something changed....
First rule: When a new problem arises immediately after other work is performed, look back to that work as the cause. Won't be every time, but it's a safe bet!
Second rule: If you've f***** something up to cause that problem, restore it to how it's supposed to be, instead of trying to get around it.
Drilled into me very early in my apprenticeship, and taken as just a matter of course by any skilled technician.
In this case, you knew exactly what was different, and right away.
5 degrees is a big change. What caused it in the first place? Seems like a lot to be caused just by manufacturing tolerance.
Sorry for being harsh, but one of your posts included the footer "ASE Certified..."
The pinch clamp position may account for this or maybe the position of the rack when tightened w the two bolts that hold it. Maybe both added together. There's no play in the wheel. I've checked my work
Seems that final position after tightening everything accounts for the final wheel position and now that alignment is done the steering angle sensor position is incongruent. I have a local alignment shop w a hunter rack that spoke w their rep. Both agree that the SAS needs to be reset and that former alignment shop should have set the caster correctly. They're saying the former alignment shop is lazy for not setting the caster, and they should have reset the SAS. I informed them of the fact this all started after I removed/reinstalled the rack for a harmonic balancer job. Let's see how it goes Tuesday when they put it on their rack. They know the history of how this came about.....to be continued
It seems to me the SWPS isn't adequately centered on the steering column, and therefore needs to be reinstalled at the zero position. But to verify this you need to check out the SWPS data with a Tech 2, or alternatively you could measure voltage at the A/B pins while applying 5V/ground to the proper pins.
I honestly don't know. It's a different specialty from mine and I didn't get to watch. Check my dog to the vet for dinner cleaning, installed two pumps, a 6 gauge ground wire with copper lugs custom made by me, and other miscellaneous repairs to keep my day busy. Couldn't keep up with all that went on. But it definitely fix the alignment and now I can stomp on the car and traction control doesn't kick in unnecessarily. One thing to note: it is not possible to reset the steering angle sensor on this car. You just have to get the alignment right.
.
Steering angle reset needed
