The Volkswagen (VW) steering angle sensor, is a crucial component of the vehicle’s electronic stability control system. This sensor measures the steering angle and rate of turn and sends this information to the vehicle’s ABS control unit. If the steering angle sensor is not working correctly, it can cause problems with the stability control system, turn on orange steering wheel light on the instrument cluster and result in warning messages dashboard. In this article, we will show the steps how to reset the VW steering angle sensor.
If your Volkswagen steering angle sensor is not calibrated, the traction control light and steering wheel warning lights will come on, and in some cases, a yellow warning light may also show on the instrument cluster. Active fault codes will be stored in the Steering Assist module if your VW steering angles sensor is not calibrated.
The steering angle sensor on a Volkswagen needs to be calibrated when working on the steering system. If you replace the tie rods, alight the front wheels, replace suspension parts or change your VW battery, you may need to perform steering angle sensor calibration. There are two ways to perform steering angle sensor calibration on a Volkswagen.
Method 1
How to reset the VW steering angle sensor without a scan tool.
- Start the engine.
- Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.
- Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 a second time.
- Bring the steering wheel back to the center.
- Drive a short distance in a straight line.
- Restart the engine, and the steering angle sensor should be reset.
This procedure will reset the VW steering angle sensor. If your traction control light is on because the steering angle sensor is not calibrated, this procedure will reset the steering angle sensor, and the traction control light should reset.
An ACTIVE fault code is stored in the Traction Control Module if the traction control light stays on even after resetting the steering angle sensor. You must read the fault codes from the Traction Control Module with a VW scanner.
Method 2
The YOUCANIC Full System Scanner can read and clear fault codes through every vehicle’s control module.
Advanced VW scan tools such as YOUCANIC Full System Scanner can perform steering angle calibration, reset and relearn. You will need to perform basic settings with the guide function. How to perform VW steering angle calibration.
- Plug a VW scanner into the diagnostic port under the dashboard.
- Turn on the ignition but do not start the car.
- Turn the steering wheel to point straight forward.
- Turn on the scanner and select the 44- Steering Assistance module. If the Steering Assist module is not available, select the ESP module.
- Select Steering Angel Sensor Adaptation or Reset, depending on the scanner. On some models, you may have to select Guided Functions and then G85 steering angle sensor calibration.
- Select Steering Angle sensor calibration and follow the instruction on the scanner.
When using VCDS, you can check the steering wheel’s position by opening the Measuring Bocks, going to Basic Setting, entering 60 under Group, and pressing Go. This procedure works on many VW models, including Jetta, Passat, Golf, Routan, Tiguan, Bettle, CC, Touareg, EOS, and GTI.
02546 – Steering Limit Stop: No or Incorrect Basic Setting / Adaptation
Symptoms of a faulty steering angle sensor may include the “Steering Assist OFF” warning light on the dashboard. This can be caused by a lack of basic settings or adaptation in the sensor. To fix this issue, the steering limit stop adaptation must be performed. The steps for this process include:
- Make sure the ignition is on and the engine is running.
- Center the steering wheel for about 5 seconds
- Turn the steering wheel completely to the left and hold for about 10 seconds.
- Turn the steering wheel completely to the right and hold for about 10 seconds.
- Center the steering wheel again.
- Turn off the engine and ignition.
- Turn the ignition back on.
- Waiting for about 5 seconds.
- The “Steering Assist” warning lamp should turn off (if it doesn’t, perform a short test drive).
Can’t Calibrate VW Steering Angle Sensor
Steering angle sensor calibration may fail if fault codes are stored in the steering assist module. To successfully carry steering angle sensor calibration, no other active fault codes should exist in module 44 – steering assistance other than the No or Incorrect Basic Setting code.
Try clearing the fault codes from the steering assist module and repeat the calibration procedure. The module may be coded incorrectly if no fault codes exist, but the steering angle still fails.
Related Fault Codes
The following fault codes are related to the steering angle sensor and often appear during a system scan.
- 02546 Steering limit stop – No or Incorrect Basic Setting / Adaptation
- 00778 Steering Angle Sensor – G85
- B116854 Steering angle sensor – No basic settings.
- C10ACF0 Steering – End Stops Not Learned
This guide applies to most Volkswagen vehicles, including Audi and Skoda vehicles.
We hope you find the Reset VW Steering Angle Sensor guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Volkswagen.
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