2013 Ford Explorer C1B00 Steering Sensor Fix

2013 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
189,000 MILES • AUTOMATIC
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TECH2020
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My stepson works as a Mobile Mechanic. The vehicle is a Ford Explorer (Sport Trac or Advance Trac). He replaced the Rack & Pinion Steering using a kit (from O'Reilly's). The unit went together well, he had it aligned, and everything seemed fine. The customer called (after a few days) and said that when she turns the steering wheel all the way to one side she gets a warning message. A code reader was connected to the car and the error reported is: C1B00:64-68 ... CMDTCs.

What does that code mean? Could the kit have been bad or is there an adjustment that needs to be made?

Thanks!
Tom
Nov 5, 2026 at 4:21 PM
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STEVE W.
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C1B00:64 - Steering Angle Sensor- Signal Plausibility Failure
C1B00:86 - Steering Angle Sensor- Signal Invalid

In other words the signal from the steering angle sensor is failing when turned that far. The most common reason for that is a bad clock spring that has an open when it's turned that direction. The most common reason for that would be if the steering wasn't centered and locked in place when the rack was replaced, next would be that it failed from age. What I would do at this point is connect up a scan tool, go into the section that allows you to center the steering angle sensor. Complete the centering procedure. Then turn the steering wheel lock to lock a few times and see if the error returns. If it does it is likely that a replacement clock spring is needed to repair it. The easy way to tell is to watch the angle it reports on the scan tool. Say it shows 240 degrees turning fully to the right. Then as it is turned fully left it shows say 100 degrees, then goes to zero but still has a quarter turn until it hits the lock. That would be a bad clock spring, the circuit is opening before it rotates all the way and the signal is dropping out. IE- the wire in the clock spring is broken.
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Nov 5, 2026 at 11:13 PM

Suggested Repair

Use a scan tool to center the steering angle sensor, then turn the wheel lock to lock and recheck. If C1B00 returns or the reported angle drops out before full travel, replace the clock spring.

Conversation Summary

After a rack-and-pinion replacement and alignment on a 2013 Ford Explorer, a warning appeared at full steering lock with code C1B00 (steering angle sensor signal plausibility/invalid). The expert said the sensor signal is failing at that travel, most often from a clock spring opened because the steering was not centered and locked during the rack job, or from age. Recommended centering the steering angle sensor with a scan tool, then checking whether the angle reading drops out before lock; if it does, replace the clock spring.

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