2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Active Handling Service

I want a list of the things that ed124c wants, to remove them from my list of lists I will be asking for

@ed124c From what I'm reading, the Steering Wheel Sensor provides input for speed-compensated steering systems. Usually when the sensors go bad, people's steering assists go wonky. Most cars seem to have them--I assume those using an electric steering system.

But almost $300 to fix a sensor? If I blow a circuit breaker in my car, I just reset it. No big deal, and no charge.

Hey, here's a great idea for the government: Every time you blow a circuit breaker, to reset it there will be a $300 tax.

Whose idea was electric steering, anyway? And why would a sports car like the Corvette even have it?

My solution to any future problems like this is to duck tape the IP, and as long as there isn't a beep or chime that goes along with the visual warning, and assuming that the car is running well, then it's all good.

It does not seem like too much to me for what the problem is

I was either going to buy a Corvette Z06 or a horse and buggy, but now realize the horse will be easier and cheaper to repair.

Corvette has hydraulic steering.

Seems to me that the steering wheel position sensor is more likely used in stability control. Steering wheel is turned so much but the car is yawing so much, uhhh...time to brake a wheel or two to bring things back in line.

The steering position sensor is part of the Stabilitrak systems on GM vehicles. I'm certianly not an engineer, but my minimal understanding is that this helps take into consideration steering position (duh) as well as latteral movements, etc, so that the vehicle can utilize the nanny characteristics of the program to keep people on the road.

This is not limited to electric-assisted steering. Furthermore, the sensor is located on the steering column in a difficult area to reach. That $300 is mostly labor.

@ed124c says:

"Steering position sensor? I have never heard of such a thing. What does it do? And why do you need it?

Steering position sensor? I want a list of all the cars that have this, so that I can remove them from my shopping list."

Every car that has a stability control system (Active Handling as it's called in the Corvette), has a steering position sensor. With the government soon mandating that all new cars come with stability control systems as standard equipment, I guess you won't be buying any new cars anymore. ;)

Basically, in order for the system to work, the computer needs to know in what position the steering wheel is, at all times. It matches the steering wheel position against readings from the yaw sensors, gyro sensors, wheel speed sensors, and a few others to determine if the car is in a skid, and if yes, what kind of a skid (understeer, oversteer, etc.), and what the driver is doing with the steering wheel. From that information, the computer knows which wheel(s) it needs to individually brake, and whether throttle needs to be cut, and by how much.

A key component in recovering from any skid, is knowing which way the front wheels are pointed. The steering wheel position sensor tells the computer exactly that.

I clearly made a logical boo-boo thinking it was related to electric power steering. My bad.

(I'm clearly not a gearhead.)

my first thought is not a bad price for a dealer diagnosis, part, and install.

remember the Ferrari?

I am not a gearhead, but I am glad to read that there is a legitimate reason for this sensor.

However, Edmunds probably shuts the stability control system on this Corvette, so they just wasted $300.

My '05 Outback does not have any of these nannies, but the new Subarus-- as do nearly all cars-- have all of them.

"It's a trap!"

All those safety systems should come with 100,000 mile warranties.

I am old, maybe I shoud just keep my trusty Subie and buy a new monitor for my new computer with the $300 I will save. Hell, my sister kept her Legacy wagon for almost 15 years. Then she gave it to my brother and he drove it for years. Pretty much a problem free car-- and no f***ing steering wheel postion sensor.

"ed124c says: 08:58 AM, 03/31/11

I am not a gearhead, but I am glad to read that there is a legitimate reason for this sensor.

However, Edmunds probably shuts the stability control system on this Corvette, so they just wasted $300."

@ed124c - I seriously doubt that Edmunds turns off Active Handling when they drive it. Only a seriously skilled driver should EVER turn that off. I drove my modded C6 around for 3 years and NEVER switched it off. The same goes with my current CTS-V. I NEVER switch it off. With all that HP coming out of the rear wheels, with no electronics active you are begging to destroy your car or lose your life.

Could have saved $300 had you gone with a Ford Model T for the fleet. I warned you!

now if someone could just fix fault (code) 1487, what a better place this forum would be

"now if someone could just fix fault (code) 1487, what a better place this forum would be"

ROFLMFAO!!! +1,000,000

I called it before you asked anyone for suggestions.

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2011/03/2002-chevrolet-corvette-z06-diagnostic-mode.html#comments

Why do I always win the things you don't give prizes for.

xnevadan says:
09:20 AM, 03/31/11
"now if someone could just fix fault (code) 1487, what a better place this forum would be"

That is awesome, it made laugh a lot !!! LOL

I'm not ready to call this "fixed" yet. The dealer threw a part at it and then went in and cleared the codes. Only time will tell if the new steering angle sensor actually solves the (perceived) problem of the (minor) freakout.

I'm skeptical.

-J Kav

I just looked it up out of curiosity...the sensor is a doughnut that goes around the steering column and is $90 used on eBay...so it's probably $150 or so new...which puts labor in the 2 to 3 hour range...not bad considering what a craptastic design...crank position sensors and wheel sensors are just a pickup and a magnet...having to replace the whole assembly is just dumb. Typical GM.

Never turn off the nannies in a Corvette. Those things oversteer on throttle and off throttle. Nearly impossible to drive without nannies! In fact, the "competitive driving mode" is REALLY good stuff.

It would be interesting to know what it would cost to have the same problem fixed on cars that are comparably quick.

I can already hear the replies to that comment: "This part wouldn't break on other cars!"

Recall that there are several other owners of this same model Z06 with similar miles and abuse and all report minimal malfunctions.

ed124c: Personally, I like these silly electronics, in particular. They allow me to fully explore the limits of my 405 hp car without killing myself or wrecking my car. Honestly, they have saved my arse on several occasions. I would be willing to bet that most other owners would agree and can relate.

I have "fixed" said sensor on certain GM cars with a well placed shot of WD-40. Last "fix" worked for at least 4 years until I sold said vehicle.

My father's 2001 Cadillac DeVille had the same problem but I think tha was because of an accident (not his fault).

My father's 2001 Cadillac DeVille had the same problem but I think that was because of an accident (not his fault). Actually come to think of it, my 2003 745Li had the same problem after having it for six weeks and then being involved in a very serious t- bone collision that tallied up about $27k in repairs primarily to suspension and chasis components. Never fixed that but the car would literally drive sidways unless you deactivated the DSC.

Same part went bad in my e90 330i. Bmw covered it under warranty, but for some germanic reason, the entire trip computer cluster had to change with it. If I had to guess, it would have been high 3 digits if not 4 digits out of warranty.

Symptoms were the same. ABS/Stability yellow light. No effects on around town drivability. I would not be surprised if the underlying part is made by some supplier like Bosch for GM and BMW.

The one car that I've had with no electrical issues has been a porsche (and also some older Honda's and Subaru's). I think e39's were also pretty good and current b8 a4 is going strong with two years/plenty of use. e46's, e90's, earlier audi's are all about similar with moderate problems in my decade plus experience with them.

"now if someone could just fix fault (code) 1487, what a better place this forum would be"

LOL +1