Hey all,

Did a clutch replacement which required pulling the subframe down and out. I made absolutely sure not to move the steering wheel in order to not cause any issues when reinstalling, however after reinstalling I'm getting 2 of the 3 lights on the dash (DSC & tire pressure?)

My scan tool won't let me run the steering angle calibration due to what I can only assume is the steering wheel being off by XX degrees in one direction or the other which is causing it to flip out.
I pulled fuses to try to reset the system, I cleared all the DTCs, disconnected the battery. I'm at the point where it can only be the steering angle going into the actual steering rack.
The wheels are straight ahead, and the steering wheel is at 0 degrees (which is why I thought I had everything right).

What's the best way to attack this? I would swear up and down that the steering wheel never moved, but evidently it did, and in turn has screwed up the steering angle sensor. I didn't have any of these lights before I tore everything apart.
Can I disconnect the steering column and pin the steering column at 0d?
Is there something I can use, or some way I can determine if the steering wheel is actually at 0d and not +-360d as well?

The turn signals aren't turning off automatically after making a turn in either direction, and the windshield wipers are coming on at random which is making me think it's the steering sensor behind the steering wheel, but none of that was ever taken apart or impacted in any way.

I just replaced the speed sensor (blue plug) on the front driver's wheel because I assumed I had damaged it somehow during the transmission job. That wasn't the culprit.

Thoughts?
Thanks everyone,
Danny

 

Did you secure the clock spring [steering column switch cluster (SZL)] with tape immediately after removal of the steering wheel? Moving the clock spring position after removal of the steering wheel may be the cause of the problem.

 

So I can say with absolute certainty that I did not lock the steering wheel down at all neither before nor after removing the steering rack. I never removed the steering wheel itself but I don't think that was enough. The video I watched on the transmission removal was missing some key points that I ended up figuring out, but that was not even on my radar.

I need to check the knuckle at the base of the steering column to make sure im perfectly aligned with the rack, but i dont remember struggling to get the bolt in.

i need to find someone that can tell me my steering angle since my scanner won't give that live data. That will at least give me somewhere to start unless you have a better idea.

Your help with the coolant temp sensor was unmatched, and got me back on the road.

 

These^ issues are consistent with a misaligned clock spring.

 

Same issue when I did my clutch. I was sure the steering wheel never moved, but when all buttoned up, the errors were there. I fixed it by disconnecting the steering column at the rack and turning the steering wheel 360° and reconnecting.

 

How did you know which direction to turn the steering wheel 360°? I ask because if the wrong direction were chosen, the outcome would likely be a broken clock spring. 50:50 chance for success.

@WeaponizedaD
If you decide to recenter the clock spring as detailed in my posted image, you must ensure that the front wheels are pointed straight forward during the procedure.

 

I was wondering the same thing since those parts are not cheap, so breaking the clock spring would hurt the wallet.

I had a number of 4-wheel steering (mechanical) Prelude's a few decades ago so I know the importance of getting the front wheels dead straight.

I would be willing to try njar's theory since when I set the key to accessory (car off), and crank the wheel all the way to lock left, then crank it back to lock right, when it gets close to lock right the lights come on. Makes me think I have it 360 right, which means rotating 360 left would right the ship.

I think I'm going to buy the Foxwell NT530 from Amazon since it has a steering angle indicator which will tell me immediately which direction I need to go without removing the steering wheel.

I'll report back!

 

I truly hope what I say next is not the case.

Since you have turned the steering wheel lock-to-lock, the clock spring potentially is already broken.

With this said, proceed with your plan and hope for the best.

 

I think I remember trying to lock the steering wheel during the process, but when it was all back together, I obviously missed something. I guessed at the direction based on how I was hanging off the steering wheel during reassembly. In my case, it worked in my favor.

 

Balllssss, okay well... I guess spinning it counterclockwise 360 and testing it probably won't make it any worse than broken at this point :-D

I'm still learning, but absorbing to the point that I'll eventually be able to help others soon.
I have a few, "Do not do X,Y,Z," items to share at this point :-D

 

UPDATE:

Foxwell NT530 arrived and showed me that my steering angle was -358d which explains all of the weird issues I was having.
Issue is completely resolved and I'm having no more trouble with this thing.

On that note: If anyone needs to use this code scanner, I'm in Shepherdstown, WV and can help out whomever wants to make the drive!

Danny

 

That's fantastic news! I assume that the clock spring was also undamaged.

 

Clock spring is still working perfectly! I got lucky!

 

Great!