type11

Hello All looking for a little guidance here. I have a 2005 545i I am getting ready to sell and trying to fix the one thing wrong with it. From time to time (more frequent now) it will randomly tell me the Adaptive Steering is off and to use caution. I have found out from research and from my local mechanic and now BMW dealer this is a problem with a brush sensor for the steering angle in the SZL and I have to replace the whole SZL to fix it. Local mechanic told me 800-900 for part and labor. BMW told me 1100 for both. I really would like this fixed before I sold it as the warning is large but I don't feel like dumping 1000 bucks on it either.

I did see there was a recall for something like this when the car first came out but I am guessing that now it would just be considered wear and tear?

I did find this today which would save me quite a bit of money

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123 (picture of part attached)

However I was told by my local mechanic that this part must be programmed (something about an ECU or something) for your car. It was also said it is basically, without a lot fo work, a one shot deal. So a new one is clean and can be programmed once but a used one can't be programmed without some specialty gear to clear it first.

Can you help me with

1. Is the part in the picture on the link the one that has the angle sensor (there are a few parts on the official 61319136898 part)?
2. IS what he says right or if I get this can it be reprogrammed (does it even need to be?) fairly easily?

thanks in advance!

phlfly

I don't know about this a lot.
Does your steering do click/clicks (very quite, like a switch for turning signal) when steering wheel turns (like for normal right or left turn)?
I'm just curious if I will have same problem as you have now.

type11

No mine does not click it just gives the warning that traction control is off every so often (increasing) and then when it happens the turn signal sticks on. It resets when turned off.

Sublime

I could be totally wrong on this - but I remember reading somewhere that the steering angle sensor is optical, and someone online posted a DIY for disassembling and cleaning the unit to circumvent replacement.

Again - could be wrong, but I read something very much like this recently. I checked all my usual sources and couldn't find a link, but it may be worth your time to check the unit closely and see if this isn't something you can solve for yourself...for free.

SilberGrauE60

Have you checked your power steering fluid level?

type11

The steering fluid level looks fine. I am definitely game for taking it apart and cleaning it. If you can find that link that would be awesome.

Sublime

Okay, I found the thread. It is for E90, but maybe there are similarities...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520467

Persian_535i

Mine just came on today too on my 2008 535i, what a pain.