Warning lights help pleease ( 5E40 Steering-angle sensor: plausibility)

[roblightbody]

Was driving to work last week (Car is currently lightly used, maybe 1 proper run per week) and all was well until warning lights came on. One of them was the TPS warning, so I assumed I just needed to check the pressures and reset the system.

So today I finally had time, fixed the pressures (slightly off) and attempted to reset the system - to no avail. I've tried pushing the button for a few seconds both with engine running stationary, ignition on only, and when on the move, and nothing happens.

The 3 lights illuminuated are :-

Brake system - yellow
Run Flat Indicator - yellow
DSC - yellow.

I've had a look with my fault code reader but its not very easy to use, and I can't see anything obvious.

Do all 3 lights normally come on when the TPS is needing reset?

Thanks!

 

[j3nks79]

All 3 of those lights would indicate a fault with your braking system. Abs sensor pressure sensor etc.
you need to read the codes

 

[roblightbody]

OK so I've been out with the Creator C110 gizmo (which i don't like, as you can't easily just list all codes, you have to go into every menu...)

Under ABS - it says a fault code for 5E40 Steering-angle sensor: plausibility. When I do the 'read datastream' it says Steering Angle at steering wheel 31327 (and doesn't change if i move the wheel). If I erase the code, it doesn't do anything (it must come back instantly)

Under LEW [steering-angle sensor] the fault code says 10,41,00,10 No found!

I am guessing this is all related to the "steering wheel clockspring hub" which was replaced at great expense in July (330 miles ago) - although the reason that was replaced, was because the airbag warning was shoing.

Sigh.

 

[j3nks79]

I’m not sure that diagnostic machine does it.
But if it has an option to recalibrate the steering angle try that.

 

[bigwinn]

OK so I've been out with the Creator C110 gizmo (which i don't like, as you can't easily just list all codes, you have to go into every menu...)

Under ABS - it says a fault code for 5E40 Steering-angle sensor: plausibility. When I do the 'read datastream' it says Steering Angle at steering wheel 31327 (and doesn't change if i move the wheel). If I erase the code, it doesn't do anything (it must come back instantly)

Under LEW [steering-angle sensor] the fault code says 10,41,00,10 No found!

I am guessing this is all related to the "steering wheel clockspring hub" which was replaced at great expense in July (330 miles ago) - although the reason that was replaced, was because the airbag warning was shoing.

Sigh.

Not necessarily the clock spring (although whoever charged you £330 for a new one needs a mask and wanted poster)

It’s more likely to be the steering angle sensor

Have a Google on here as to how to reset it, recalibrate it and repair it, before needing to replace it

There are a few people on here who can assist and prevent you getting charged stupid amounts- what’s your location?

 

[roblightbody]

There are a few people on here who can assist and prevent you getting charged stupid amounts- what’s your location?

I'm in Glasgow. I'm going to switch to a different independent place next time, a friend has recommended one.

 

[Mr Tidy]

How healthy is your battery?

Just wondering because when mine went flat I started the car with a jump pack and got those 3 warning lights come on, and stay on.

I took it to Ross at RBM and he reset the steering angle sensor which cleared them all. Then I fitted a new battery!

 

[roblightbody]

Hi, thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

Its got an 18 month old EFB battery, and I recently also gave it a full charge, but it has felt very sluggish to start from a cold start the last few times. The reason I would think its not the battery though, is that it happened about 10 minutes into the drive, rather than when starting up?

I'm reading up and watching videos about recalibrating the steering just now. Seems to be a really common thing, that I've just never heard of so far. Seems like I need a new code reader for a start... would appreciate tips for one that won't break the bank (even a used one).

Also seen a couple of people suggesting that you can wind the steering from lock to lock, which sometimes sorts it?

 

[bigwinn]

Hi, thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

Its got an 18 month old EFB battery, and I recently also gave it a full charge, but it has felt very sluggish to start from a cold start the last few times. The reason I would think its not the battery though, is that it happened about 10 minutes into the drive, rather than when starting up?

I'm reading up and watching videos about recalibrating the steering just now. Seems to be a really common thing, that I've just never heard of so far. Seems like I need a new code reader for a start... would appreciate tips for one that won't break the bank (even a used one).

Also seen a couple of people suggesting that you can wind the steering from lock to lock, which sometimes sorts it?

Whilst a good reader is worthwhile I’d invest in INPA and a cable- if you have an old laptop you can pop it on that and do so much more including recalibrating your angle sensor

 

[roblightbody]

Whilst a good reader is worthwhile I’d invest in INPA and a cable- if you have an old laptop you can pop it on that and do so much more including recalibrating your angle sensor

Thanks!

I'm looking into that too.

 

[roblightbody]

So to update the saga...

Car is in at a good, recommended BMW specialist, who has agreed with my diagnosis from the C110 that the steering angle sensor needs replaced. As part of the work to do that, they needed to remove the allegedly new clockspring (from the previous specialist in July) which apparently disassembled itself in spectacular style ("never seen one do that"). They said it looked old...

Together with wishbone bushes and a bulging tyre (thanks to Glasgow's horrific roads) this has been the most painful year of z4 ownership I'd have to say.

Hoping to get the car back on Monday, hopefully fighting fit, unlike our bank balance...

 

[Zedebee]

I’m assuming you’re not OK doing work on the car yourself. If you were, it would definitely be worth getting hold of someone local who has INPA and running the steering angle reset procedure (can’t be done with most code readers) and replacing the clockspring (easy job, £20 second hand part). Replacing the steering angle sensor will cost you several hundred pounds and may be wholly unnecessary.

 

[roblightbody]

I’m assuming you’re not OK doing work on the car yourself. If you were, it would definitely be worth getting hold of someone local who has INPA and running the steering angle reset procedure (can’t be done with most code readers) and replacing the clockspring (easy job, £20 second hand part). Replacing the steering angle sensor will cost you several hundred pounds and may be wholly unnecessary.

No I'm not OK doing anything beyond fairly simple stuff on the car myself, however I do take an interest and want to understand what's going on. It might be that using a local BMW specialist to do everything for us isn't really affordable, which would be an end to z4 ownership probably.

From watching Youtube videos etc., I concluded that the 17 year old steering angle sensor was probably caput. I did run some tests using the code reader, as mentioned in the original post to conclude that. I realise that in many other cases it can just be recalibrated. I'm hopeful that the garage would have told me if it just needed recalibrated...