E46 - 325ti - steering angle implausible
Discussion
Just before the MoT was due - typical - I had this crop up.
I've got Autophix and can clear DTCs but this one, after reappearing immediately a few times, will no longer clear (and even if it did, it'd come back instantly anyway).
I can also read live data for the steering angle, and it's sitting at around 9deg when driving straight ahead. Is that enough to cause Steering Angle Implausible?
And can your average quick fit garage who'd do your tracking clear the code, or do I need a BMW specialist?
Really hoping the sensor isn't fubar, as it needs the column disconnecting to swap it!
Any help out there on this one please? Looking to get a ticket on it to sell asap so I need it sorting preferably for minimum expense!
I've got Autophix and can clear DTCs but this one, after reappearing immediately a few times, will no longer clear (and even if it did, it'd come back instantly anyway).
I can also read live data for the steering angle, and it's sitting at around 9deg when driving straight ahead. Is that enough to cause Steering Angle Implausible?
And can your average quick fit garage who'd do your tracking clear the code, or do I need a BMW specialist?
Really hoping the sensor isn't fubar, as it needs the column disconnecting to swap it!
Any help out there on this one please? Looking to get a ticket on it to sell asap so I need it sorting preferably for minimum expense!
Dont clear the fault see if you can calibrate it first 
in functional tools/tests if your equipment has this option if it dont you will need something better you can then clear the original fault code, you may get it to extinguish the light long enough to get your MOT pass, the windowed disc in the sensor on the steering column lower absorbs dust and dirt over time (maybe your cause) you can clean them blow them out with an airline or just renew , not common but a known issue with the E46 cars later models are further up the column
in functional tools/tests if your equipment has this option if it dont you will need something better you can then clear the original fault code, you may get it to extinguish the light long enough to get your MOT pass, the windowed disc in the sensor on the steering column lower absorbs dust and dirt over time (maybe your cause) you can clean them blow them out with an airline or just renew , not common but a known issue with the E46 cars later models are further up the column Thanks for that.
I’ve tried several times and with several cables to install and use INPA (?) to get better control of diagnostics but despite wild promises from every vendor I’ve never managed to get it to consistently connect to the car let alone do anything useful to it, so was resorting to specialist help as I can read the data and see the codes but can’t recalibrate or reset the sensor.
The steering angle changes with steering input so I don’t doubt the sensor is working, albeit it might not be working 100% of the time and that might be flagging the fault.
I was also interested in whether 9 degrees off centre was enough to flag the implausibility code, as if it isn’t (and it doesn’t feel like enough of a misalignment to flag a code, to me) then there’s no point paying to get it re-centred if that wouldn’t cause the code and if the error is actually flagging because the sensor itself is going intermittent.
Guess I can try blowing the sensor out and seeing if that helps (albeit I can’t now clear the code…) but perhaps it’s sensible to do that at least before getting a specialist to plug in.
But any expert views on whether 9deg would flag this code would be appreciated.
I’ve tried several times and with several cables to install and use INPA (?) to get better control of diagnostics but despite wild promises from every vendor I’ve never managed to get it to consistently connect to the car let alone do anything useful to it, so was resorting to specialist help as I can read the data and see the codes but can’t recalibrate or reset the sensor.
The steering angle changes with steering input so I don’t doubt the sensor is working, albeit it might not be working 100% of the time and that might be flagging the fault.
I was also interested in whether 9 degrees off centre was enough to flag the implausibility code, as if it isn’t (and it doesn’t feel like enough of a misalignment to flag a code, to me) then there’s no point paying to get it re-centred if that wouldn’t cause the code and if the error is actually flagging because the sensor itself is going intermittent.
Guess I can try blowing the sensor out and seeing if that helps (albeit I can’t now clear the code…) but perhaps it’s sensible to do that at least before getting a specialist to plug in.
But any expert views on whether 9deg would flag this code would be appreciated.
Have you t
tted a kerb with the front wheels? Poor alignment can be enough to upset the DSC system. Does the car drive "straight and true"? Find a big, flat space and check it out. It can be tricky for an owner to tell in normal driving because they get used to the way the car feels.
Loads of videos on Youtube for diagnosing faulty sensor or resetting/recalibrating the system.
tted a kerb with the front wheels? Poor alignment can be enough to upset the DSC system. Does the car drive "straight and true"? Find a big, flat space and check it out. It can be tricky for an owner to tell in normal driving because they get used to the way the car feels.Loads of videos on Youtube for diagnosing faulty sensor or resetting/recalibrating the system.
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