5E40 Steering angle implausible SOLVED!

[Zedebee]

Hi everyone,

This concerns my son’s 2003 E85 2.5i. I know there’s been lots of posts on steering angle sensor issues, but I can’t find one that matches. Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

We had the usual trifecta of warning lights - amber handbrake, TPS and ASC.
We’ve cleaned and re-installed all the wheel speed sensors.
I’ve got hold of a Creator 310+ and got the following results:
In the ABS menu - Fault code 5E40 steering angle implausible. In the DSC sub-menu, live-feed, the steering angle measures OK lock to lock, so I guess the steering angle sensor itself is working.
In the EPS menu - no fault code. In the live-feed, the steering angle speed appears OK in both directions. Again, this suggests the steering angle sensor is working OK.
In the LEW (SAS) menu - no fault code. In the live-feed, the steering angle measures OK in both directions, but after 4 seconds changes to -325 degrees. Each time I exit the live-feed and re-enter, the same thing happens whether I’m turning the steering wheel or not; it reads the correct values for 4 seconds, then snaps to -325 degrees.

All other live-feeds seem to be OK, and the only error code is 5E40.
The above makes me think the SAS is OK and it must be something else. Anyone come across this or got any ideas?

 

[colb]

No doubt you have seen the other thread on similar problem here https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=130797 I wonder if you have dodgy connections like their cause, worth checking them out on yours. Also found this which is worth a read https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786086

 

[Zedebee]

Finally stripped down the SAS today. It looks good as new (the little brushes inside look perfect) and still functions same as before. Unfortunately the three dashboard lights are still on - TPS, handbrake and DSC - and I cannot clear fault code 5E40 steering angle implausible. Anyone have any ideas before we commit money getting this investigated, or anyone local to me who can help out with INPA/DIS?

 

[Jfgoldfish]

If the SAS is reporting good data, it is worth checking the speed sensor under the passenger seat.
This sensor is responsible for measuring lateral acceleration and yaw rate. If the data from both sensors don't agree, you will get a fault code like the one you are experiencing.
Worth calibrating the sensors with INPA too.

 

[colb]

Since you are in Hampshire maybe take it to RBM in Hook, used by quite a few on here and the Z4 Forum.
https://www.rbmhampshire.co.uk/about

 

[Mr Tidy]

Good advice - I had the same 3 lights on my car earlier this year when the battery died.

After fitting the new battery I took it to Ross at RBM and he reset the steering angle sensor which cleared the lights.

 

[Zedebee]

Thanks guys. If it was my car I’d have been to Ross to get it fixed in August, but anyone with sons knows they like to do the opposite of what you advise :x He won’t be smiling in December come MOT time.

 

[Zedebee]

So INPA and Creator 310+ do not seem to be able to clear the 5E40 (steering angle sensor implausible) fault code. Here’s how you do it:

Ignition on, engine off
Plug laptop into the ODB port
Open Toolset32 (part of the EDIABAS suite that comes with INPA)
Click on the folder icon, top left
Select “Load SGDB Group file”
Choose “DSC_85.prg” from the file list
Find “lenkwinkel_dsc_abgleichen” in the Jobs menu, double-click on it
car whirrs and clicks a bit at this point
Exit Toolset32, go back into INPA and reset the error code
hopefully your DSC and handbrake lights are now off and the 5E40 fault code has gone, however the flat tire light might have turned red
Press and hold the TPMS reset button (in front of the ashtray), the light should go amber after a few seconds
Release the button and the flat tire light should go out after a few more seconds.

Sorted

 

[enuff_zed]

Glad you got it sorted.
Just a note of caution, if you reset the tyre warning without actually driving the car then I'm not certain if the system will have properly noted the settings. It needs to roll a bit (mile or two I think) so that it can check out the rolling diameter/speed of each wheel and set that as the baseline.

 

[stv23]

@edibee
I have the same problem on my 2003 3.0 BMW E85. Steering wheel implausible signal, preveiously showed rear right wheel speed sensor problem, got it fixed and changed to new one. Checked with computer all working well and steering angle also seems to be fine. Any simple fix I can do to avoid cost from workshop, I asked workshop the labor for calibration of steering wheel cost me 150 bucks.
After I checked, it shows abs unit problem. But my abs warning lights not showing up on the cluster. Just the 3 warnings which are ASC, Yellow handbrake, and low tyre pressure warnings. Any suggestion?

 

[stv23]

So INPA and Creator 310+ do not seem to be able to clear the 5E40 (steering angle sensor implausible) fault code. Here’s how you do it:

Ignition on, engine off
Plug laptop into the ODB port
Open Toolset32 (part of the EDIABAS suite that comes with INPA)
Click on the folder icon, top left
Select “Load SGDB Group file”
Choose “DSC_85.prg” from the file list
Find “lenkwinkel_dsc_abgleichen” in the Jobs menu, double-click on it
car whirrs and clicks a bit at this point
Exit Toolset32, go back into INPA and reset the error code
hopefully your DSC and handbrake lights are now off and the 5E40 fault code has gone, however the flat tire light might have turned red
Press and hold the TPMS reset button (in front of the ashtray), the light should go amber after a few seconds
Release the button and the flat tire light should go out after a few more seconds.

Can you help to explain in simple words. I am confused as I am only using carly diagnostic device to check. Maybe have a video tutorial on how you do it? What device do I need to do this job

 

[bigwinn]

Steve if you aren’t using inpa software then ignore

If Carly isn’t clearing the fault then it’s likely you either have to fix the fault (I’d imagine with your steering angle sensor) or get someone with inpa or similar software to recalibrate your sensor

Where are you based

 

[stv23]

Where are you based

I am based in Malaysia

How much to fix it? So meaning this issue no need to change parts? just needed to recalubrate the steering sensor. Also when going 60mph above even though i hold the steering wheel straight the car like not stable its running left and right occasionally. Anyone experiencing this issue?

 

[bigwinn]

Let’s tackle an issue at a time eh

You need someone to check the steering angle sensor and either fix it or recalibrate it- you need bmw software to do that

If you are experiencing tramlining there are several potential causes which could be runflats, failing front suspension components etc

 

[Zedebee]

Hi stv23.

INPA is the BMW diagnostic software. In the UK it comes free if you order a diagnostic cable from “bcables”. Included in the software bundle is Toolset32 which includes a programme to reset the steering angle sensor.

Has the error description in picture 2 changed since you replaced the wheel sensor?

 

[ann.nonco]

So INPA and Creator 310+ do not seem to be able to clear the 5E40 (steering angle sensor implausible) fault code. Here’s how you do it:

Ignition on, engine off
Plug laptop into the ODB port
Open Toolset32 (part of the EDIABAS suite that comes with INPA)
Click on the folder icon, top left
Select “Load SGDB Group file”
Choose “DSC_85.prg” from the file list
Find “lenkwinkel_dsc_abgleichen” in the Jobs menu, double-click on it
car whirrs and clicks a bit at this point
Exit Toolset32, go back into INPA and reset the error code
hopefully your DSC and handbrake lights are now off and the 5E40 fault code has gone, however the flat tire light might have turned red
Press and hold the TPMS reset button (in front of the ashtray), the light should go amber after a few seconds
Release the button and the flat tire light should go out after a few more seconds.

Sorted

Can confirm this worked for my E85 that suddenly had the trio of lights one morning.

 

[nate96]

So INPA and Creator 310+ do not seem to be able to clear the 5E40 (steering angle sensor implausible) fault code. Here’s how you do it:

Ignition on, engine off
Plug laptop into the ODB port
Open Toolset32 (part of the EDIABAS suite that comes with INPA)
Click on the folder icon, top left
Select “Load SGDB Group file”
Choose “DSC_85.prg” from the file list
Find “lenkwinkel_dsc_abgleichen” in the Jobs menu, double-click on it
car whirrs and clicks a bit at this point
Exit Toolset32, go back into INPA and reset the error code
hopefully your DSC and handbrake lights are now off and the 5E40 fault code has gone, however the flat tire light might have turned red
Press and hold the TPMS reset button (in front of the ashtray), the light should go amber after a few seconds
Release the button and the flat tire light should go out after a few more seconds.

Sorted

Nice write up. Had the same issue and this sorted it out for me.

 

[Zedebee]

Nice write up. Had the same issue and this sorted it out for me.

Terrific, always nice to get good feedback.