Steering angle sensor (G85) replacement
12-07-2008, 07:58 PM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Steering angle sensor (G85) replacement
The G85 steering angle sensor is one of the many sensors that feed the ESP system data about what the car is doing vs. what you want it to do. This particular sensor has a series of optical eyes that measure how much you have turned the steering wheel in either direction. Failure of this sensor will log a fault code and disable the ESP system.
There is another procedure written up on another forum on cleaning the optical eyes inside the sensor, which I tried and did not work for me. If your fault code reads "intermittent," you might get lucky. My code was simply "steering angle sensor - faulty" i.e. the sensor was not working at all. This was the third ESP sensor to crap out on me, so between this one, the lateral acceleration and longitudinal acceleration sensors, I have now completed the ESP sensor trifecta. Wooot!
The part number on my original sensor (model year 2001) was 1J0-959-654-J. This has been superceded by 1J0-959-654-AG. I bought mine from genuinevwaudiparts.com, which at $287 was the cheapest I could find and far cheaper than the dealer, who will want $400-something for this part.
The steering angle sensor is located right behind the steering wheel, which means the airbag and wheel have to come off to get to the sensor. Here is the walk-through on removing the airbag, steering wheel, and finally the sensor.
First: Disconnect the battery. Since you are messing around with the airbag, you don't want any electricity running through the car.
Now remove the airbag from the steering wheel. Unscrew the two Torx screws on the back side of the wheel.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/98/2434392990136f424d800f73a1e58726035b728c/580x435/IMG-5767_580x435.jpg">
Carefully pull off the airbag.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/99/070b07528a5480da1e967d9e012de60f8e54e0d8/580x435/IMG-5770_580x435.jpg">
It has three connections to unhook: Two blades and one plug. I used needlenose pliers to wiggle the blades loose.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9a/72d0071fc60d220c4c84ef0c0deb0b86f78a0caf/580x435/IMG-5773_580x435.jpg">
Put the airbag in a safe, out-of-the-way place, facing up. This will prevent an airbag-shaped hole in your ceiling in the unlikely event it goes off for some reason.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9c/03a734138e383ac045657f48e43b6b02e023f1bd/580x435/IMG-5778_580x435.jpg">
Here's the front of the steering column with the airbag removed. That center nut needs to come off, using an M12 triple-square socket.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9d/34d1871a2292a01c71c7495448845b07cd6baf19/580x435/IMG-5781_580x435.jpg">
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9e/8e4057c6063ab3f6b85776ad2a4d8f4bc880cc8d/580x435/IMG-5783_580x435.jpg">
Note that when you get the nut off, the wheel and the column should each have a mark stamped on them. Make sure they line up when you reinstall.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9f/457e1790e70c965aedf802d585eaf253fb307961/580x435/IMG-5785_580x435.jpg">
Now pull off your wheel.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/a1/82f3547df4f64f41fe012b54f2e52408197ef0b5/580x435/IMG-5789_580x435.jpg">
Next remove the two phillips screws on the underside trim piece.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/a3/f778f6537da05afac03ee17a425e09a96c281184/580x435/IMG-5795_580x435.jpg">
This lets you remove the top trim piece. (It's also a good time to clean all the dust and crap that collects between this piece and the instrument cluster.)
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/a4/4f0e6a8261b9703d183f4933f3722623462996ca/580x435/IMG-5796_580x435.jpg">
Next the two front phillips screws.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/96/2fd59e62879907fdb317f9ecc1e159e635232a54/580x435/IMG-5797_580x435.jpg">
There is a thrid screw in the hole underneath the column. Strangely, mine was missing.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/ad/15e49074bd1735ea7fdb0f071d33eadcc91759b1/580x435/IMG-5802_580x435.jpg">
Now pull down the lower trim piece. You have to kind of wiggle it to get it past the ignition switch. You can completely remove this piece if you take off the handle on the column lock lever. I later figured out this wasn't necessary, and just letting it rest on the lever gives you enough clearance to remove the sensor.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/ae/541d75a663f9b9acbd045ec161f69c6672cd8995/580x435/IMG-5805_580x435.jpg">
The steering angle sensor is now in front of you. Unplug the two wiring harnesses on the left side.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/af/cb65c9a4cb53fe9a26baca9443f13d03d6e6a5e3/580x435/IMG-5808_580x435.jpg">
The sensor is held on by three clips -- two on top and one on the bottom. Carefully pry these up and the sensor should pull straight off.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b0/c539b1f81536d20006169f9106a1de15ef762b77/580x435/IMG-5862_580x435.jpg">
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b1/0e0882dea546436b9852fee6d1b2c847a18e2288/580x435/IMG-5864_580x435.jpg">
Top is the new sensor, bottom is the old. Note the new one comes with an extra wire hanging off it. No idea what this plugs into. My old one didn't have it. So I got rid of it.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b2/fe7281207473174e55cb26c1e80386b682f75ac8/580x435/IMG-5866_580x435.jpg">
Here is another subtle yet important difference between the two sensors. Note the plugs at the bottom right (on the back of the sensors). They are flipped upside down on the new version. This took me about 15 minutes to figure out, when I was wondering why the plug on the wire wouldn't go back into the socket after installing the new sensor. I was thinking "did they also change the plug on the wiring harness when they revised this part??" Once I pulled it back off, I noticed the difference. You just have to twist the wire so the plug is upside down.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b4/1240f15e9dc00f4cfa36abb0a7665bfb49ea9ab5/580x435/IMG-5870_580x435.jpg">
Once the new sensor is snapped into place, plug in the wires and pull off this plastic ring. (This keeps the sensor from rotating during shipping/handling.)
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b5/809a0ef08e558f27c518b7f507cebd456bdce0f0/580x435/IMG-5874_580x435.jpg">
Now put your wheel back on, making sure to line up the punch marks.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/ac/3a93da5ea713fb0572252c6b7c73db0c83e6ca18/580x435/IMG-5875_580x435.jpg">
Reinstall everything in reverse. The Bentley lists two different torques on the steering wheel bolt: either 50 Nm or 60 Nm, depending on what page you are on (seriously). Just make sure it is good and tight.
The sensor now needs to be calibrated using a VAG-COM. Ross-Tech has the following instructions on their site:
There are certain test conditions that must be met before doing this procedure:
Start the vehicle.
Turn the steering wheel one turn to the right and one turn to the left.
Drive in a short distance straight line on a level surface at a speed not higher than 20 km/h.
If the steering wheel is straight during the test drive then stop the vehicle with the wheels pointed straight
Ensure that the steering wheel is not moved again.
Keep the engine running and do not switch off the ignition.
Procedure for performing the zero position calibration for the Steering Angle Sensor (G85) on VW Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Audi TT:
[Select]
[03 - ABS Brakes]
[Login - 11]
Enter 40168
[Do It!]
[Basic Settings - 04]
Group 060
[Go!]
This will store the zero (centered) position of the steering wheel. There should be a displayed message that reads: "Steer. angle sender compens OK". If you get an error, it may mean the Login was not successfully performed.
Click the [Done, Go Back] button and you're all set.
And that should do it!
There is another procedure written up on another forum on cleaning the optical eyes inside the sensor, which I tried and did not work for me. If your fault code reads "intermittent," you might get lucky. My code was simply "steering angle sensor - faulty" i.e. the sensor was not working at all. This was the third ESP sensor to crap out on me, so between this one, the lateral acceleration and longitudinal acceleration sensors, I have now completed the ESP sensor trifecta. Wooot!
The part number on my original sensor (model year 2001) was 1J0-959-654-J. This has been superceded by 1J0-959-654-AG. I bought mine from genuinevwaudiparts.com, which at $287 was the cheapest I could find and far cheaper than the dealer, who will want $400-something for this part.
The steering angle sensor is located right behind the steering wheel, which means the airbag and wheel have to come off to get to the sensor. Here is the walk-through on removing the airbag, steering wheel, and finally the sensor.
First: Disconnect the battery. Since you are messing around with the airbag, you don't want any electricity running through the car.
Now remove the airbag from the steering wheel. Unscrew the two Torx screws on the back side of the wheel.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/98/2434392990136f424d800f73a1e58726035b728c/580x435/IMG-5767_580x435.jpg">
Carefully pull off the airbag.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/99/070b07528a5480da1e967d9e012de60f8e54e0d8/580x435/IMG-5770_580x435.jpg">
It has three connections to unhook: Two blades and one plug. I used needlenose pliers to wiggle the blades loose.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9a/72d0071fc60d220c4c84ef0c0deb0b86f78a0caf/580x435/IMG-5773_580x435.jpg">
Put the airbag in a safe, out-of-the-way place, facing up. This will prevent an airbag-shaped hole in your ceiling in the unlikely event it goes off for some reason.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9c/03a734138e383ac045657f48e43b6b02e023f1bd/580x435/IMG-5778_580x435.jpg">
Here's the front of the steering column with the airbag removed. That center nut needs to come off, using an M12 triple-square socket.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9d/34d1871a2292a01c71c7495448845b07cd6baf19/580x435/IMG-5781_580x435.jpg">
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9e/8e4057c6063ab3f6b85776ad2a4d8f4bc880cc8d/580x435/IMG-5783_580x435.jpg">
Note that when you get the nut off, the wheel and the column should each have a mark stamped on them. Make sure they line up when you reinstall.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/9f/457e1790e70c965aedf802d585eaf253fb307961/580x435/IMG-5785_580x435.jpg">
Now pull off your wheel.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/a1/82f3547df4f64f41fe012b54f2e52408197ef0b5/580x435/IMG-5789_580x435.jpg">
Next remove the two phillips screws on the underside trim piece.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/a3/f778f6537da05afac03ee17a425e09a96c281184/580x435/IMG-5795_580x435.jpg">
This lets you remove the top trim piece. (It's also a good time to clean all the dust and crap that collects between this piece and the instrument cluster.)
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/a4/4f0e6a8261b9703d183f4933f3722623462996ca/580x435/IMG-5796_580x435.jpg">
Next the two front phillips screws.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/96/2fd59e62879907fdb317f9ecc1e159e635232a54/580x435/IMG-5797_580x435.jpg">
There is a thrid screw in the hole underneath the column. Strangely, mine was missing.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/ad/15e49074bd1735ea7fdb0f071d33eadcc91759b1/580x435/IMG-5802_580x435.jpg">
Now pull down the lower trim piece. You have to kind of wiggle it to get it past the ignition switch. You can completely remove this piece if you take off the handle on the column lock lever. I later figured out this wasn't necessary, and just letting it rest on the lever gives you enough clearance to remove the sensor.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/ae/541d75a663f9b9acbd045ec161f69c6672cd8995/580x435/IMG-5805_580x435.jpg">
The steering angle sensor is now in front of you. Unplug the two wiring harnesses on the left side.
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/af/cb65c9a4cb53fe9a26baca9443f13d03d6e6a5e3/580x435/IMG-5808_580x435.jpg">
The sensor is held on by three clips -- two on top and one on the bottom. Carefully pry these up and the sensor should pull straight off.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b0/c539b1f81536d20006169f9106a1de15ef762b77/580x435/IMG-5862_580x435.jpg">
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b1/0e0882dea546436b9852fee6d1b2c847a18e2288/580x435/IMG-5864_580x435.jpg">
Top is the new sensor, bottom is the old. Note the new one comes with an extra wire hanging off it. No idea what this plugs into. My old one didn't have it. So I got rid of it.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b2/fe7281207473174e55cb26c1e80386b682f75ac8/580x435/IMG-5866_580x435.jpg">
Here is another subtle yet important difference between the two sensors. Note the plugs at the bottom right (on the back of the sensors). They are flipped upside down on the new version. This took me about 15 minutes to figure out, when I was wondering why the plug on the wire wouldn't go back into the socket after installing the new sensor. I was thinking "did they also change the plug on the wiring harness when they revised this part??" Once I pulled it back off, I noticed the difference. You just have to twist the wire so the plug is upside down.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b4/1240f15e9dc00f4cfa36abb0a7665bfb49ea9ab5/580x435/IMG-5870_580x435.jpg">
Once the new sensor is snapped into place, plug in the wires and pull off this plastic ring. (This keeps the sensor from rotating during shipping/handling.)
<img src="http://rsrc2.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/b5/809a0ef08e558f27c518b7f507cebd456bdce0f0/580x435/IMG-5874_580x435.jpg">
Now put your wheel back on, making sure to line up the punch marks.
<img src="http://rsrc1.bubbleshare.com/media/01/0d/69/ac/3a93da5ea713fb0572252c6b7c73db0c83e6ca18/580x435/IMG-5875_580x435.jpg">
Reinstall everything in reverse. The Bentley lists two different torques on the steering wheel bolt: either 50 Nm or 60 Nm, depending on what page you are on (seriously). Just make sure it is good and tight.
The sensor now needs to be calibrated using a VAG-COM. Ross-Tech has the following instructions on their site:
There are certain test conditions that must be met before doing this procedure:
Start the vehicle.
Turn the steering wheel one turn to the right and one turn to the left.
Drive in a short distance straight line on a level surface at a speed not higher than 20 km/h.
If the steering wheel is straight during the test drive then stop the vehicle with the wheels pointed straight
Ensure that the steering wheel is not moved again.
Keep the engine running and do not switch off the ignition.
Procedure for performing the zero position calibration for the Steering Angle Sensor (G85) on VW Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Audi TT:
[Select]
[03 - ABS Brakes]
[Login - 11]
Enter 40168
[Do It!]
[Basic Settings - 04]
Group 060
[Go!]
This will store the zero (centered) position of the steering wheel. There should be a displayed message that reads: "Steer. angle sender compens OK". If you get an error, it may mean the Login was not successfully performed.
Click the [Done, Go Back] button and you're all set.
And that should do it!
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12-08-2008, 05:56 AM
#10
valuable post. Thanks. Probably need it some day.