Steering Angle Sensor code on 2002 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[haas]

I'll get an apt. w/ Slee in 2 weeks and hopefully they can figure it out, if I cannot by then!

Skid plate? This thing came with skid plates? Yup, definitely missing those...AND GET THIS! The small Flywheel cover at the bottom of the bell housing is missing. I'm guessing it was not installed after they rebuilt the tranny 1.5 YEARS AGO! It's just a giant opening facing the front of the vehicle. Flywheel is spinning away in there...who knows what's inside that bell housing I am throwing a P0715 Code...I replaced the tranny input shaft speed sensor and that didn't fix the MIL light...I'm guessing due to no cover, something has been damaged in there.

Awesome!

This free LX thing is now looking too good to be true! I knew this car has been abused as a farm truck for 15 years, but it was a single owner and always serviced at Toyota for 255k miles. I was hoping for better. The engine and tranny were rebuilt by Tejas Toyota in Houston...who the heck do they have working on these cars!

Did I mention it was short on coolant, so I filled that up yesterday with Toyota Red and it's now leaking out of God knows where?!?! (somewhere below exhaust bank on drivers side, above the AC compressor) Too tight in there with the shock towers covering the leak, so can't see where it's coming from...but I can see that the exhaust heat shield is not bolted down...just hangout out. It's a tight fit, so I can't pull it out. Guess I'll need to source bolts for that.

@2001LC, you were right. The steering rack is sliding back and forth in the D bushing...I'll get those ordered and installed asap.

I got around to measuring the snap ring gap....It looks like I could use a 2.8-3mm thick snap ring. There is approx. 1mm of play between the snap ring and outer axle teeth. This is on the same side where someone used a screwdriver and hammer to tighten the axle bearing load nut. I had to file off the burrs to fit my socket over them. The grease in this axle is brown and soupy leading me to thinking they have combined non-compatible greases...I'll start with the thicker snap ring to try and diagnose the VSC. I'll get around to tearing into the axles once I can diagnose this VSC. If the VSC braking issue can't be fixed, I'm selling this frieebie. I'm not going to get in too deep on a 255k mile LX470 that's been beat up!

For the record, I have another thread going on my issues...It has a lot more back story on this particular LX. I resurrected this thread in hopes of finding techstream help.

 

[2001LC]

Max Toyota snap ring is 2.8mm according to FSM. Over that and you'll need to replace components. Which components depends on condition of each (starting with inner most parts):

1. Front drive shaft as outboard surface may be worn where it contacts axle bushing (bushing in back of knuckle.) Not common.
2. Axle bushing may have worn to thin. Very common, if seal damaged or missing or bushing & needle bearings have not been greased every 30k miles. rotors & pads think I'm feeling some wobble?
3. Knuckle back of spindle. Common, if wheel bearings have been improperly serviced (set to loose, this very common) which may have damage spindle.
4. Wheel bearing & races. Minimal effect to snap ring gap.
5. Hub flange outer surface damaged and worn. Very common. Happens when snap ring gap set to wide.
6. Snap ring damage (pounded) very common.
7. Tip of axle. Groove for snap ring damage (widen), common.

Wide snap ring gap will allow axle to move in and out, this would not by itself affect ABS, much.
Sloppy steering rack (weak bushing), would not by itself affect ABS, much.

Wheel bearing set to loose will allow hub to move, getting cock-eyed. You'd most certainly get bad reading at ABS sensor, as during turns the hub would get out of alignment (cock-eyed).

Start adding up all the front issues and things get sloppy, this could easily confuse ABS wheel sensor. Also improper service (no fluid changes) of rear differential and the sealed rear wheel bearing may have been damaged, causing slop at rear ABS sensors.

Getting these mechanical issue back to factory spec should be your starting point!

I've read (scanned) some of your post on this rig. Rebuilt engine and transmission (at some shop) at your millage doesn't "jive" with Dealer maintained up to 255K. But then even some Dealers' have incompetent mechanics.

I've been working on a rig, that for past few years was worked on by an incompetent and negligent "corner" shop. This rig was a death trap very near a potential failure of multiple systems, that could have caused lose of control. PO was lucky brake totally failed when they did. Everything "corner" shop did was done wrong, they never used FSM, just slopped together. Spark plugs & valve cover bolts hand tight, lugs over tightened, Wheel bearings lock nuts not locked (bearing nuts walking off), knuckle & front drive shaft seals missing (destroying axle bushing), ABS wheel sensor mount broke by mechanic and not repaired, brake lines zip tied (wear by rubbing on steel), spider joint failed, rear brake bleeders solider closed (weird), steering rack very very sloppy, power steering not flushed, etc... I'm just moving through each system one by one bring back to factory spec. one at a time. I'll be ready for long test drive, where I'll put it through it's paces soon. I'd not even consider driving more than a few miles at slow speed without traffic, until I've been through all systems dealing with axles, steering & braking are put back in top condition.

Rig's I've base lined, I've spent from $1 to $2K in parts and fluids just to bring up to spec. These rigs will last for every but must by maintained by the book. They can be saved in most cases (no rust, major frame or body damage) just a matter of parts and time for me.

With your cost base of $0, you've a lot of room.

 

[haas]

dang. I just ordered a snap ring kit from Cruiser Outfitters (various sizes). The widest being 4mm thick. There is a 3mm in the kit, I was hoping to use. It sounds like I should not put that on. It looks like the snap ring gap has probably been widened on the axle...there is also grove in the snap ring where the teeth have been wearing into it. It's also so lose, I can take it off by hand. I'm guessing I just need to go ahead and dive into the front axle. Tear it apart and see what I'm working with. I was hoping to start with the VSC diagnosis and see if I even wanted to keep the thing. I have two money pits and not sure I want a third. The drivetrain clunk plus the open bell housing is sounding like it could be some time and $$.

I was handed all the receipts PO had...Started with the original purchase receipt on down to new battery this past May. The batteries and tires were always purchased at National T&B and every other service receipt is from a Toyota dealership in Houston.

The engine rebuild notes read something like..."owner was towing horse trailer and spark plug blew out of engine. Car immediately stalled and was towed in." Looks like they did a short block swap...

 

[2001LC]

It may well be snap ring gap kit, has wider than the 2.8mm my 2001 or 2002 FSM states available. You can use, but I do strongly agree "tear into and see what you have to work with". Most I've ever needed was 2.6mm. I spend most of my time cleaning, inspecting and recondition. take your time during assemble and use a spring scale (fish scale) to set perload. Follow each step in FSM to the letter. You'll find torque on adjusting nut is much higher than the starting point of ~57in lbf (= ~6lb lbf IIRC). I get anywhere from 20lb to 60lb lbf of torque on adjusting nut to get the 9.5 to 15lb breakaway preload. Pull that axle out as hard as you can to measure snap ring gap. Gap can't be to tight, if ring goes on but not enough gap to get feeler gauge in "0.04mm or less in that gap" ...great..

The hub flange is most like had damaged as well, I paid $50 each for new.

 

[Luis Santana]

I need help troubleshooting a steering angle sensor code on a 2002 Lexus LX470.

A little background: A number of years ago my truck started to have a problem with the VSC.

It started out as a problem that would only occure on an angled curve (like a circular ramp from one highway to another). When the truck was leaning to the left, the right wheel would brake hard pulling the truck to the right.

Using the Toyota Tech software I could see that the wheel angle sensor inaccurately indicated the wheel was turning completely to one side. So when the truck would lean it would throw the yaw sensor. The computer sees the truck leaning and the wheel turned all the way to one side and thinks the vehicle is out of control. It tries to correct by braking the opposite wheel.

I ordered a wheel sensor from Toyota and they installed it. It did not correct the problem. The next step in the Lexus Service Manual troubleshooting was a replacement of the ECU for ABS and VSC (PN 89540-60160). Well after replacing the $400 angle sensor, I did not want to spend $2000 to replace the ECU and have it not fix the problem. The issue only happened under very specific condiments so I ignored it.

I found and purchased a used ECU from eBay. I was able to try it this weekend. It did not correct my steering wheel angle sensor showing a false reading of something like 1159 in the TechStream software. So I am a little puzzeled.

So at this point I have replaced the steering sensor and the ECU. I guess there is a chance that the ECU I bought off of eBay has the same problem.

My next step is going to be to try and test the steering sensor per the factory manual with an oscilloscope and test all the wires (I know a failed wire is very unlikely.)

I also wonder if the tech at Toyota replaced the steering angle sensor correctly. The new part did not include the connector so the tech had to transfer the wire terminals to the old connector. I wonder if they mixed them up.

I have seen references to recalibrating the steer angle sensor. I did not find any way to recalibrate the steering angle sensor in the TechStream software and I do not see any references to it in the FSM for the 2002 LX470. I think only trucks with VGRS need to recalibrate the steering angle sensor.

Any advise or suggestions are welcome.

I need help troubleshooting a steering angle sensor code on a 2002 Lexus LX470.

A little background: A number of years ago my truck started to have a problem with the VSC.

It started out as a problem that would only occure on an angled curve (like a circular ramp from one highway to another). When the truck was leaning to the left, the right wheel would brake hard pulling the truck to the right.

Using the Toyota Tech software I could see that the wheel angle sensor inaccurately indicated the wheel was turning completely to one side. So when the truck would lean it would throw the yaw sensor. The computer sees the truck leaning and the wheel turned all the way to one side and thinks the vehicle is out of control. It tries to correct by braking the opposite wheel.

I ordered a wheel sensor from Toyota and they installed it. It did not correct the problem. The next step in the Lexus Service Manual troubleshooting was a replacement of the ECU for ABS and VSC (PN 89540-60160). Well after replacing the $400 angle sensor, I did not want to spend $2000 to replace the ECU and have it not fix the problem. The issue only happened under very specific condiments so I ignored it.

I found and purchased a used ECU from eBay. I was able to try it this weekend. It did not correct my steering wheel angle sensor showing a false reading of something like 1159 in the TechStream software. So I am a little puzzeled.

So at this point I have replaced the steering sensor and the ECU. I guess there is a chance that the ECU I bought off of eBay has the same problem.

My next step is going to be to try and test the steering sensor per the factory manual with an oscilloscope and test all the wires (I know a failed wire is very unlikely.)

I also wonder if the tech at Toyota replaced the steering angle sensor correctly. The new part did not include the connector so the tech had to transfer the wire terminals to the old connector. I wonder if they mixed them up.

I have seen references to recalibrating the steer angle sensor. I did not find any way to recalibrate the steering angle sensor in the TechStream software and I do not see any references to it in the FSM for the 2002 LX470. I think only trucks with VGRS need to recalibrate the steering angle sensor.

Any advise or suggestions are welcome.

I had the exact s

 

[Luis Santana]

I had the exact same issue on my 2000 LX47

I need help troubleshooting a steering angle sensor code on a 2002 Lexus LX470.

A little background: A number of years ago my truck started to have a problem with the VSC.

It started out as a problem that would only occure on an angled curve (like a circular ramp from one highway to another). When the truck was leaning to the left, the right wheel would brake hard pulling the truck to the right.

Using the Toyota Tech software I could see that the wheel angle sensor inaccurately indicated the wheel was turning completely to one side. So when the truck would lean it would throw the yaw sensor. The computer sees the truck leaning and the wheel turned all the way to one side and thinks the vehicle is out of control. It tries to correct by braking the opposite wheel.

I ordered a wheel sensor from Toyota and they installed it. It did not correct the problem. The next step in the Lexus Service Manual troubleshooting was a replacement of the ECU for ABS and VSC (PN 89540-60160). Well after replacing the $400 angle sensor, I did not want to spend $2000 to replace the ECU and have it not fix the problem. The issue only happened under very specific condiments so I ignored it.

I found and purchased a used ECU from eBay. I was able to try it this weekend. It did not correct my steering wheel angle sensor showing a false reading of something like 1159 in the TechStream software. So I am a little puzzeled.

So at this point I have replaced the steering sensor and the ECU. I guess there is a chance that the ECU I bought off of eBay has the same problem.

My next step is going to be to try and test the steering sensor per the factory manual with an oscilloscope and test all the wires (I know a failed wire is very unlikely.)

I also wonder if the tech at Toyota replaced the steering angle sensor correctly. The new part did not include the connector so the tech had to transfer the wire terminals to the old connector. I wonder if they mixed them up.

I have seen references to recalibrating the steer angle sensor. I did not find any way to recalibrate the steering angle sensor in the TechStream software and I do not see any references to it in the FSM for the 2002 LX470. I think only trucks with VGRS need to recalibrate the steering angle sensor.

Any advise or suggestions are welcome.

 

[Luis Santana]

I had the exact same issue with my 2000 LX 470. Very intermittent however on one certain onramp turning at a specific angle it would be consistent. The car drove perfect otherwise. It was excessive play in the outer tie rods of the steering rack .I know it sounds hard to believe.But, that was it. To check it jack up the front end (safely) and get the weight of the wheels. you will most likely find significant play in the outer tie rods. Not noticeable at all with the weight on the wheels) . No steering play was noticeable while driving. Also check a center bushing that mounts the rack .Mine was shot and had one made out of brass. Toyota did not sell the tie rod ends and went with reputable aftermarket. Any play in a steering component or loose wheel bearing will cause this (and its not fun).Check for any play with weight on the wheels(ramps) and weight off the wheels(jack) Surely you will find play.
good luck

 

[haas]

It turned out to be the steering rack bushings...they were shot. $45 and 2 hours of fiddling (mostly with 1 bolt) and it's been fixed!

 

[Luis Santana]

It turned out to be the steering rack bushings...they were shot. $45 and 2 hours of fiddling (mostly with 1 bolt) and it's been fixed!

 

[zbayag]

Steering angle sensor zeroing on non-vgrs:
The only indication on a way to do this is from a friend on the local lc forum. It looks like the method is to disconnect the steering angle sensor, then power up the ecu (ign on), then off again, reconnect the sensor, and power up again - with the steering straight.

What he did was to open up the steering wheel assembly and the sensor to see if there is a way of adjusting it. After looking a bit, he found that the steering sensor was giving a zero angle with the steering straight (it used to be way out), and retracing what he had done, he found that this is the method.
I will try it myself one day - but mine is only 20 something out.

 

[zbayag]

Steering angle sensor zeroing on non-vgrs:
The only indication on a way to do this is from a friend on the local lc forum. It looks like the method is to disconnect the steering angle sensor, then power up the ecu (ign on), then off again, reconnect the sensor, and power up again - with the steering straight.

What he did was to open up the steering wheel assembly and the sensor to see if there is a way of adjusting it. After looking a bit, he found that the steering sensor was giving a zero angle with the steering straight (it used to be way out), and retracing what he had done, he found that this is the method.
I will try it myself one day - but mine is only 20 something out.

I am brand new to the forum but am having the same issues. Did the method mentioned above fix the issue? Any help is appreciated.

 

[zbayag]

It turned out to be the steering rack bushings...they were shot. $45 and 2 hours of fiddling (mostly with 1 bolt) and it's been fixed!

SO by continuing the read BT you and 2001LC, after taking under consideration all that you have gone through let me summarize to make sure I know what's goin on: Issues relating to: Steering angle sensor / VSC issues causing ABS to activiate scaring the hell out of people. Net Net is the steering rack bushings needed to be replaced? That fixed the problem???? Please respond, I am one of those scared as hell people. I have a 2002LC