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.
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.