Sorted. IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAAAAS.....tree lights time again.

Roberltd2

Active member
 Village of The Dam
Hello all,
I've finally regained proper steering control on the Zed and cured the horrendous spontaneous steering vibration which would come out of nowhere around the 40mph mark. This was fixed by fitting new steering control arms with new bushes fitted and also new lower rear steering wishbone bushes (I think they're called). Thanks Autodoc.
However, my mechanic who did the hard work for me pointed out that the driver's side front caliper was binding (hence the black wheel & high pitched squeeking when cornering I see now). He reckons both calipers are still the original items so they haven't done too badly I would say.
The wheel feels hot as well after the daily commute from work.
Anyway, a couple of times now over the last fortnight or so I've had three yellow warning lights (Brake System, Run Flat Indicator & DSC) come on although the car feels fine to drive. I know what it's like when there are ABS /reluctor ring issues - there are real symptoms as well as the dash lights. So I'm wondering if anybody knows whether an overheated caliper will trigger the trifectas?
I did plug in the Creator 310 but couldn't get much useful info out of it - that's just me not using it properly I think.
Any recommendations on which make calipers & pads to buy? Or avoid? Standard fit for a 2.5si.
Cheers,
Robert.
 
From my experience that light combo on a LCI model points to an issue with the DSC unit. The DSC is basically a circuit board with an electric motor sat on top. It could be as simple as the bushes on the motor sticking.
Post the codes and we might be able to offer some more help :thumbsup:
 
Thanks both for your replies. It looks like the underlying cause of my problems was a sticking / seized caliper causing the judder which was then amplified by worn steering bushes, all now replaced with new items. So the car is runnung smooth as silk again.
The only fly in the ointment is that the three wasrning lights are still showing on the dash.
I would have thought my mechanic would have cleared these but he'd gone home by the time I went to collect the car.
He did tell me over the phone before I went to collect it that there was a steering angle sensor fault showing on the dianostic and that I should get the tracking checked to correct that but I didn't think that this was related to the three warning lights showing up on the dash.
Is there any way I can clear the warning lights now that I've fixed the brake issues? They are quite distracting especially when driving in the dark.
IMG_20231018_220816.jpg
 
Well if he's said that then I think my first step would be to get the Steering Angle Sensor calibrated.
It is a very simple process................ if you have the software (Toolset 32)

I'm not conversant with the Creator 310, but I have the equivalent Autophix 5900 and with that I can view live data for the SAS.
At straight ahead it shoud show 0 degrees. As you turn from lock to lock it should go from -540 to +540.
If it is not doing that then you do need it recalibrated.
 
Thanks for the info. I'll go to see the spanner man man on Monday to get some clarification.
Should also have mentioned that the driver's side carpet is dry and now that I've found my way around Creator 310, that too is showing up streering angle and sensor codes but I don't think it can clear the warning lights on the dash.
Creator doesn't seem to show any fault codes for the DSC but it is giving me:
5E40 - Steering Angle Sensor
6125 - Steering Angle Correction
Steering Angle Sensor - No Fault Codes.
 
Roberltd2 said:
Thanks for the info. I'll go to see the spanner man man on Monday to get some clarification.
Should also have mentioned that the driver's side carpet is dry and now that I've found my way around Creator 310, that too is showing up streering angle and sensor codes but I don't think it can clear the warning lights on the dash.
Creator doesn't seem to show any fault codes for the DSC but it is giving me:
5E40 - Steering Angle Sensor
6125 - Steering Angle Correction
Steering Angle Sensor - No Fault Codes.
Sounds pretty conclusive then.
See if you can find a live data feed for the SAS.
 
Well, that was interesting. The live data on the Steering Angle Sensor gave me:
Steering Angle at Steering Wheel: 0.0 deg.
The thing is, it still reads 0.0 deg. even on turning the wheel fully left and fully right.
Does this indicate a faulty sensor or does the car need to be moving to get a correct reading?
I'm getting to quite like the Creator 310.
Thanks.
 
Roberltd2 said:
Well, that was interesting. The live data on the Steering Angle Sensor gave me:
Steering Angle at Steering Wheel: 0.0 deg.
The thing is, it still reads 0.0 deg. even on turning the wheel fully left and fully right.
Does this indicate a faulty sensor or does the car need to be moving to get a correct reading?
I'm getting to quite like the Creator 310.
Thanks.
I've usually done it with the engine running to make it easier, but not moving.
Ao we're getting closer. Must be plugged in or you wouldn't get anything.
At this point I will direct you to [ref]bigwinn[/ref] who I know can open up the sensor in situ and adjust the contacts. It may be they are noty quite touching properly...................... but still try to get it calibrated first.
 
So should I be getting different readings as I turn the wheel? The Creator was definitely plugged in with the engine idling but the car was stationary. I'll stop pestering you now and go for a spin to Morrisons to see if that sorts it out.
Thanks again,
Robert.
 
Roberltd2 said:
So should I be getting different readings as I turn the wheel? The Creator was definitely plugged in with the engine idling but the car was stationary. I'll stop pestering you now and go for a spin to Morrisons to see if that sorts it out.
Thanks again,
Robert.
Yes from minus to plus 540 degrees
 
enuff_zed said:
Roberltd2 said:
Well, that was interesting. The live data on the Steering Angle Sensor gave me:
Steering Angle at Steering Wheel: 0.0 deg.
The thing is, it still reads 0.0 deg. even on turning the wheel fully left and fully right.
Does this indicate a faulty sensor or does the car need to be moving to get a correct reading?
I'm getting to quite like the Creator 310.
Thanks.
I've usually done it with the engine running to make it easier, but not moving.
Ao we're getting closer. Must be plugged in or you wouldn't get anything.
At this point I will direct you to [ref]bigwinn[/ref] who I know can open up the sensor in situ and adjust the contacts. It may be they are noty quite touching properly...................... but still try to get it calibrated first.

Aye

Sod of a job but fixed it on my 3.0 permanently
 
The final update is that I went to the tyre fitters for a new set of Uniroyal Rainsports for the back wheels, so I asked them if they would do the tracking on the front wheels as I'd now had new control arms and bushes fitted. This they could not do because the threaded tie rod / nut assembly had completely fused together after years of corrosion and no amount of heat or force would budge them. So I was advised to buy new items which I bought from Opie Oils (very helpful & quick delivery) and gaiter sets from simplycarparts on ebay (again very helpful & quick delivery).
I was a bit annoyed with the tyre depot people though because I paid them £36 in July for checking the tracking on the front wheels after having new shocks fitted on the front. So they were adjustable then but had completely seized up four months later? I don't think it's worth making an issue of it.
Anyway, my mechanic fitted on the new tie rod assemblies yesterday morning and got the tracking done. He also extinguished the trifectas (hooray!) although he had to use the diagnostic to do this. The car is now running true again without pulling slightly to the right as it did before.
Also, during the trifecta period, I'd noticed that the electronic fuel gauge would not work - it would be continuously trying to get a reading but not giving any results. After a bit of research I found out that the EFG uses data supplied by the DSC sensor:
"In the case of the N52 dynamic oil level measurement begins when following values are reached:
• Engine temperature > 60°C
• Engine speed > 1000 RPM
• Transverse and longitudinal acceleration < 4-5 m/s2 The transverse acceleration signal is supplied by the DSC.

The longitudinal acceleration is calculated from the speed and time factors. On reaching this value, the oil level indicator is updated approximately 5 minutes after starting vehicle operation. The oil level is then continuously measured. The indicator is updated at 20 minute intervals"
Thanks to ph001 for the above info.
So if the DSC light is showing it would explain why the EFG would not be working? Anyhow it's working again now.
I'd also noticed that the automatic handbrake was not working during hill starts. I haven't tested it yet but hopefully that will be back in working order again now as well.
Happy days again.
Thanks again and hope some of this might be of use,
Robert
 
Back
Top Bottom