DSC Malfunction Warning light resolution
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Just thought I'd post the resolution of a DSC warning light issue I
had researched here last week. The symptoms were that after
driving some 8-10 miles at highway speeds I would get a DSC
malfunction warning. That would disable the DTC/DSC systems
completely until the next time I shut down and started back up.
Turns out that my recent wheel alignment had left the steering
wheel just on the edge of what would trigger a steering angle
sensor failure. From what I've read if the steering wheel is
off by more than 2.5 degrees, the sensor will detect that as a
failure. I suspect that it only failed on highway driving because
city driving would have too many turns/stops/starts/etc. for the
sensor to be able to measure that the wheels and steering wheel
were not in sync.
A re-alignment cleared it up, no more DSC malfunction.
/kid
had researched here last week. The symptoms were that after
driving some 8-10 miles at highway speeds I would get a DSC
malfunction warning. That would disable the DTC/DSC systems
completely until the next time I shut down and started back up.
Turns out that my recent wheel alignment had left the steering
wheel just on the edge of what would trigger a steering angle
sensor failure. From what I've read if the steering wheel is
off by more than 2.5 degrees, the sensor will detect that as a
failure. I suspect that it only failed on highway driving because
city driving would have too many turns/stops/starts/etc. for the
sensor to be able to measure that the wheels and steering wheel
were not in sync.
A re-alignment cleared it up, no more DSC malfunction.
/kid
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From: Thousand Oaks, California
My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Wow, who knew? 
Thanks for the update! 
Thanks for the update!
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From: Miami
My Ride: 05 545/6
Originally Posted by CSCOkid' post='799613' date='Feb 23 2009, 04:30 PM
A re-alignment cleared it up, no more DSC malfunction.
/kid
/kid
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Originally Posted by jagbagri' post='799631' date='Feb 23 2009, 04:44 PM
Good Info, Good to know.
thanks for sharing.
thanks for sharing.
first page of the link below there is a description of the sensor.
Note that I didn't have to have any "calibration" done, unless thats
what you call getting my steering wheel and tires in proper alignment.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=436527
IIRC, the spec sheet on the second page of that thread was for the same part used
on the E60.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/attachment.ph...mp;d=1169586845
/kid
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Originally Posted by 545felix' post='799648' date='Feb 23 2009, 05:05 PM
was the initial incorrect alignment done by a dealer, or a tire shop? also, do you have active steering or not?
that I've used for years on both of my BMWs and my VW since my
dealer is about 40 miles from home. It was clearly human error.
Yes, I have active steering.
/kid
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