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Test/center a steering wheel position sensor

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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 01:00 AM
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Default Test/center a steering wheel position sensor

Does anyone know the procedure to center a steering wheel position sensor for a 2001-2004 c5 with a multimeter? I didn't keep my old one centered when I took it off and actually think it's still good. And, I want to test my newest aftermarket one before I install it. Thanks
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 07:31 AM
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You should see about 2.5 volts on both signal wires checking with a DMM or scan tool when the wheels are centered.
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 01:05 PM
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When I check with my old sensor and new sensor, key on with a good scan tool, phase A and phase B are never 2.5v at the same time. When one is 0, the other is 2.5 and vice-versa. There has to be a procedure out there somewhere telling how to center either on the bench or in the car??
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Old Apr 15, 2026 | 01:07 PM
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You can get a 1 month sub on Alldata DIY for $19.99...there may be a procedure there...you can also see the flowcharts for those 2 DTC's which may help.
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Old Apr 16, 2026 | 02:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Osbmxer1968
When I check with my old sensor and new sensor, key on with a good scan tool, phase A and phase B are never 2.5v at the same time. When one is 0, the other is 2.5 and vice-versa. There has to be a procedure out there somewhere telling how to center either on the bench or in the car??
i don't have a scan tool, but i'm pretty certain it should be about 2.5V when the steering wheel is centered, and that's between the blue and green wire.
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Old Apr 16, 2026 | 02:53 PM
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Blue and green are phase a and phase b. What do you mean between them? With the scan tool I got yesterday, phase a is 2.5 when I think its centered and 0 with phase b. Upon closer look, it seems these sensors can only go on 2 ways since the center part is round with flat sides to fit the steering shaft. The outer part has the dode sticking out that lodges in the green collar on the column and the center of the switch can either be correct or 180 degrees off. Seems only 2 choices at least
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Old Apr 20, 2026 | 02:23 PM
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This is what the "ideal" voltage looks like from the SWPS's perspective:



I suppose it's correct that when centered you would see 2.5V when measuring between A & B.

There is no "centering procedure" on these (2001-2004).
During installation of the SWPS, the new SWPS's locating pin should still be in place (which centers the SWPS itself) and you have the steering wheel centered on the steering column. This is obviously challenging to do perfectly but you can get it quite close.

Because there will be some discrepancy between the SWPS's center and the steering wheel's centered position, the EBCM detects for and accommodates this discrepancy. For example, if you are in a parking lot and start the car with the steering wheel turned far to one side, while driving through the parking lot you may see the car's display say "ACTIVE HANDLING WARMING UP". This is pretty much just the EBCM trying to figure out the steering wheel's center position via wheel speeds and/or yaw sensor data.
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Old Apr 21, 2026 | 09:49 PM
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That graph is correct according to my scanner. So, there is no centering process with these sensors really, 2001-2004 at least. They can only be correct and 180 degrees off. The outer portion has to sit in the green column collar a certain way and the center part of the sensor that spins has flat sides just like the column shaft. The center part that spins has a cutout portion. That portion faces up when the sensor is installed on the column. My stock one was flipping out after driving a bit with the steering wheel straight. I replaced it with a Standard brand sensor then it was ok going straight, but would freak out when turned to 4 oclock position. Then I replaced it again with another Standard brand, and fn finally all is good. I sure wish GM still made these. Dorman makes one too, but supposedly Dorman is junk these days. Standard is supposed to be better, but a sensor cost me frustration and 2 hours of my life I can't get back. Thanks for your reply!
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