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What are the symptoms of a bad steering angle sensor?
A malfunctioning or failing steering angle sensor (SAS) can present with a variety of symptoms, which can vary depending on the severity of the problem and the specific vehicle system. Some common symptoms of a malfunctioning steering angle sensor include:
① Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminates: One of the most common signs of a problem with the steering angle sensor is the illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or ABS warning light on the vehicle's dashboard. This indicates that the vehicle's onboard diagnostics system has detected a fault related to the steering angle sensor or its related systems.
② Loss of stability control: Because the steering angle sensor provides critical data to the vehicle's electronic stability control (ESC) system, a sensor failure could result in a loss of stability control. This could result in reduced stability when turning or making sudden maneuvers, which could increase the risk of loss of control.
③ Abnormal behavior of safety systems: A faulty steering angle sensor can cause other safety systems that rely on its data to behave abnormally, such as traction control, lane departure warning, and adaptive headlights. These systems may not function properly or intervene unnecessarily due to incorrect steering angle readings.
④ Steering wheel eccentricity: A faulty steering angle sensor may cause the steering wheel to be eccentric, even when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line. This misalignment can affect the vehicle's handling and may require constant correction by the driver.
⑤ Incorrect traction control activation: If the steering angle sensor provides inaccurate data to the traction control system, it may cause incorrect traction control activation, especially under normal driving conditions. This will cause the traction control system to intervene unnecessarily and may affect vehicle performance.
⑥ Steering difficulty: When the steering angle sensor fails seriously, it may affect the vehicle's power steering assistance, causing steering difficulty, especially when driving at low speeds or making sharp turns.
⑦ ABS System Activation: Under normal driving conditions, a faulty steering angle sensor can also trigger the activation of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), resulting in pulsating brake pedal feedback and potential loss of braking effect.
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if there is also a warning light on your dashboard, be sure to have your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic or technician so the problem can be diagnosed and resolved promptly. Ignoring a problem with your steering angle sensor could compromise your vehicle's safety and performance.