Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Hovig Manouchekian and by How.com.vn staff writer, Eric McClure. Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Design Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Auto, a family-owned business operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig's knowledge and hard work have contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie's List Super Service Award for five consecutive years.
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The steering angle sensor is a small sensor inside of your steering wheel designed to confirm that the alignment is correct. If you do any kind of work on your steering column, your vehicle gets a new ECM, or you get an alignment, your sensor may need to be reset. This is typically done by resetting codes with an OBD-2 scanner, but you may be able to reset the sensor manually with a few easy tricks. We’ll show you how.
How to Manually Reset a Steering Sensor
- Park your vehicle on a level surface and turn the key to the “ON” position without starting the engine.
- Turn the steering wheel fully to the left and fully to the right at least 3 times.
- Turn the key to the “OFF” position and restart the car.
- If this doesn’t work, repeat the process but disconnect the battery first.
Steps
Resetting the Sensor without Disconnecting the Battery
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Park on a level surface. If you reset the sensor while parked at an angle or on an incline, the sensor’s default positions will be off.[1]- A Key Note: We’re going to start with the simplest version of this process, but it may not work for all vehicles. If this technique doesn't work for you, try using our other method that involves disconnecting the vehicle's battery to reset the sensor.
Turn the key to the “ON” position. Do not start the engine, though—just turn the key one position.Advertisement
Turn the steering wheel to the left and right 3 times. Move the steering wheel slowly and smoothly. Go all the way to the left and then all the way to the right. Repeat this 3 times.[2]
Turn the key to the “OFF” position and start the car. Remove the key entirely, wait a few seconds, then restart the vehicle. If you’re lucky, the steering wheel sensor should be fully reset now. Turn your steering wheel with the engine running to ensure you don’t get any dash warnings.- Test drive the vehicle by driving it around the block a few times. If all is good, your sensor is reset.
- If this doesn’t work, try repeating the process with the engine running. On some vehicles, the engine has to be on.[3]
Disconnecting the Battery to Reset the Sensor
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Park on a level surface and disconnect the battery. Do not put the key in the ignition. Pop the hood and disconnect the negative (black) cable with a wrench. Then, disconnect the positive (red) cable.[4]
Turn the steering wheel left and right, then wait 15 minutes. You need to wait at least 15 minutes for the battery to fully discharge so that the sensor repeats. While you’re waiting, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, wait 3-5 seconds, then do the same on the right.- Turning the wheel may help the steering angle sensor recalibrate, but don’t worry about it if the wheel won’t turn.
Reconnect the battery, start the car, and turn the wheel 3 times. Move the steering wheel to the center position if you can. Then, reconnect the positive terminal followed by the negative terminal. Turn the key in the ignition to start the vehicle. Turn the wheel all the way to the left then all the way to the right 3 times.- Do not leave the park position while doing this.
Drive the car around the block to confirm the sensor is working. Take the vehicle out for a spin to confirm that your sensor has been successfully reset.- If this doesn’t work, you cannot reset your steering angle sensor without an OBD-2 sensor. Reach out to a friend or family member to borrow an OBD-2 sensor. Plug it in and reset the error codes to reset the sensor.
- If the error comes back after resetting the engine with the OBD-2, you probably need a new clock spring in your steering wheel. Steering angle sensors basically never break, but the spring holding them in place can come loose.[5]
- If this doesn’t work, you cannot reset your steering angle sensor without an OBD-2 sensor. Reach out to a friend or family member to borrow an OBD-2 sensor. Plug it in and reset the error codes to reset the sensor.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- The steering wheel sensor itself basically never fails. It’s just a cog with a nearly microscopic chip inside of it to take basic readings. The coil holding the cog in place can fail or come loose though, especially if you were working on your steering column.Thanks
- It’s actually really easy to reset steering angle sensors with an OBD-2 scanner and they aren’t that expensive these days!Thanks
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Xi9_29FFQVs?t=82
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Xi9_29FFQVs?t=82
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Xi9_29FFQVs?t=92
- ↑ https://carfromjapan.com/article/car-maintenance/how-to-reset-steering-angle-sensor-without-scanner/
- ↑ https://artsautomotive.com/home/art-icles/articles-for-the-curious/how-does-a-steering-angle-sensor-work/
- ↑ https://artsautomotive.com/home/art-icles/articles-for-the-curious/how-does-a-steering-angle-sensor-work/
- ↑ https://www.carparts.com/blog/steering-angle-sensor-what-it-is-symptoms-of-failure-types-and-more/
- ↑ https://www.carparts.com/blog/steering-angle-sensor-what-it-is-symptoms-of-failure-types-and-more/
- ↑ https://carfromjapan.com/article/car-maintenance/how-to-reset-steering-angle-sensor-without-scanner/
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