Free steering angle sensor without removal of column

[Jezza21]

So I have a steering angle sensor problem and I have seen in an old thread someone open the sensor and clean the connectors from inside the footwell.

This is ideal for me since removing the entire column is a job I’m intensely keen to avoid!

So at the weekend I gave it a go, but I fell at the first hurdle...

For the life of me I cannot get the sensor housing loose from the clip that keeps it in place.

The guiding pin prevents any twisting or other contortion of the housing to get it to budge.

In my eyes the only way is to pinch the two retaining teeth of the clip and then slide the sensor over them.

Simple!

I just can’t seem to get a strong enough pinch on the teeth to get the sensor to slide over them.

Any tips, tricks, or advice that might save my poor fingertips?

 

[Anonymous]

What's the problem you've got? If it's the trifecta of lights you can recalibrate using inpa in a matter of seconds

 

[Jezza21]

Yea it’s the trifecta lights.

I had a local garage clear the error codes which worked for 3 days then they all came back. Or is INPA something different to the code reader a regular garage would use?

 

[-Tom-]

Yes it’s different, you recalibrate rather than just reset. Quick and easy, once you’ve got INPA setup.

 

[ph001]

Yes it’s different, you recalibrate rather than just reset. Quick and easy, once you’ve got INPA setup.

unless he has wear on the steering angle sensor brushes as was the case here...https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=116884&hilit=%23sas

OP would probably have been better replying to that thread rather than creating a new one...and might have even got a reply from the man who has direct experience.. i.e. tomrdy

 

[Jezza21]

OP would probably have been better replying to that thread rather than creating a new one...and might have even got a reply from the man who has direct experience.. i.e. tomrdy

I did exactly that but it seems to be a dead thread and I need to fix it ASAP

 

[ph001]

Apologies...I didn't spot your post right at the end there. Have you tried sending a pm to tomrdy?

 

[Jezza21]

Yea tried that too

 

[mr.tourette]

Apologies...I didn't spot your post right at the end there. Have you tried sending a pm to tomrdy?

He just sold up recently and I got the impression moved on from the forum too

 

[Jezza21]

Damn! Looks like I’ll have to figure it out myself, haven’t yet tried screwdriver leverage, pliers etc.... mission for tomorrow!

 

[john-e89]

So I have a steering angle sensor problem and I have seen in an old thread someone open the sensor and clean the connectors from inside the footwell.

This is ideal for me since removing the entire column is a job I’m intensely keen to avoid!

So at the weekend I gave it a go, but I fell at the first hurdle...

For the life of me I cannot get the sensor housing loose from the clip that keeps it in place.

The guiding pin prevents any twisting or other contortion of the housing to get it to budge.

In my eyes the only way is to pinch the two retaining teeth of the clip and then slide the sensor over them.

Simple!

I just can’t seem to get a strong enough pinch on the teeth to get the sensor to slide over them.

Any tips, tricks, or advice that might save my poor fingertips?

Circlip pliers...?

 

[tomrdy]

Apologies...I didn't spot your post right at the end there. Have you tried sending a pm to tomrdy?

He just sold up recently and I got the impression moved on from the forum too

I'm here! Random lurking. OP, I replied to your PM but then saw this thread - looks like there's no snap ring for you either.

As with the roof motor relocation, it really is just a case of ... more strength. I tried using pliers etc but you really just can't get a feel for it as you are kind of blind down there.

All I can say is have your thumb and index pinching as absolutely mad-man-hard as you can, while using your other arm to rock the sensor laterally with where the clips are. The white clips are a softer, more flexible plastic so if you keep doing that it's bound to slip off.

 

[Jezza21]

Thanks Tom! Although not the answer I was wishing for ha!

I will give it a big squeeze, using a mirror might help me wriggle the bugger free

Pray for my fingertips...

 

[enuff_zed]

Hard to make out from the photo, and not something I have had previous experience of but, in similar situations I've sometimes had success by pulling a ty-wrap tight around the clips, or putting a thing jubilee clip around and tightening it?
Just brainstorming really, so may not be feasible for you?

 

[Jezza21]

Hard to make out from the photo, and not something I have had previous experience of but, in similar situations I've sometimes had success by pulling a ty-wrap tight around the clips, or putting a thing jubilee clip around and tightening it?
Just brainstorming really, so may not be feasible for you?

That is a great idea and I will absolutely try that out, thanks!

 

[enuff_zed]

Hard to make out from the photo, and not something I have had previous experience of but, in similar situations I've sometimes had success by pulling a ty-wrap tight around the clips, or putting a thing jubilee clip around and tightening it?
Just brainstorming really, so may not be feasible for you?

That is a great idea and I will absolutely try that out, thanks!

Obviously that was supposed to be a THIN jubilee clip, not a 'thing' one.

 

[Jezza21]

Update: Got the sensor off the stubborn white clip - it turned out to be easy to remove with the correct leverage

- Pinch the white retaining teeth with left hand tightly
- Get a flat head screwdriver behind the opposite side of the SAS unit
- Lever the screwdriver bit by bit, moving around like a clock face and it will slip off


Got it open to discover one of the brushes has totally worn out

Now to get the little bugger out and replaced... more fiddly work

 

[ph001]

Good to hear. Well done for perservering... be good to see some pics of that worn out brush.

 

[Jezza21]

Proving to be difficult to remove. I can’t tell if it’s glue or a clip keeping it in place, but I’m yet to get an angle where I can give it a good yank with the pliers!

 

[ph001]

Hmmm, I see what you mean. Any success yet?