Steering Angle Sensor Failure?

BENDGALL

MEMBER
2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
135,000 MILES

I recently had my rack and pinion/steering gear replaced because it had failed and was leaking power steering fluid. They also replaced my ball joints. When I picked the car up from the shop, the ESC Off light was now on (a problem that I did not have before dropping off the car). I took it back to the mechanic and he said that the steering angle sensor had failed and that I needed to replace it as well and pay for the labor to do so. It doesn't sit with me that the steering angle sensor just happened to fail while they had my car, but I don't know enough about cars to know! Can you please help me?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,740 POSTS

Hi,

I agree with you. The steering angle sensor can be recalibrated. Also, as far as the ESC off light is concerned, are you sure it wasn't turned off by the switch? I believe it is in the center of the dash. (See pic 1 below) If you already checked, what happens when you turn it on? Keep in mind, the ESC depends heavily on the steering angle sensor, so calibration may be the cause.

As far as recalibrating the angle sensor, I attached the directions below, but you will need a scan tool that can perform the procedure and the vehicle should be on an alignment rack to ensure the wheels are straight. If I recall, they had to take the lower steering shaft off the rack to remove it. So, I have a feeling it just needs to be calibrated.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.

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Friday, June 23rd, 2023 AT 9:52 PM

BENDGALL

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Joe,

Thank you for your response! When I press the ESC Off button, the light turns off. As soon as I start to drive the car, it comes back on.

One other thing that I forgot to note - the car was driven totally normally with one exception. I went to make a u-turn and the car began to screech and felt like it stalled. When I straightened the wheel to finish the turn it went back to normal.

The mechanic offered to "help me out by paying for the new angle sensor (he said $450) if I pay for the labor ($550)." I couldn't understand why he would be paying for the part if he hadn't done anything wrong. Which made me think that maybe the sensor is totally fine and only needs to be recalibrated and he knows that.

I don't have a scan tool or alignment rack, so I think I'll take it to another mechanic and ask him to calibrate my sensor. Does that sound like the right plan to you? Anything else I should ask them to check?

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Saturday, June 24th, 2023 AT 4:01 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,740 POSTS

Hi,

I certainly recommend taking it somewhere other. The labor time is 0.8 hour (less than an hour). So, either he charges $600.00 an hour or is taking advantage. See pic below.

Also, the sensor's retail price is $564.00 (see pic 2) It seems you are paying for the sensor, and he is taking 50 minutes to install it. Note the price shown in pic 2 is for an OEM part. It's likely you can get an aftermarket one for much less.

I hope this helps. I'm not trying to cause any conflict between you and the shop, but this is what I found.

Let me know if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe

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