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Steering wheel position

14K views 6 replies 2 participants last post by  vanib  
#1 ·
As some you may know, I recently changed my steering wheel. I replaced my 2008 Base with a 2010 Limited. The steering wheel was well centered with my original 2008.

http://www.rav4world.com/forums/98-4-3-interior/90787-diy-adding-steering.html

When I was putting the 2010 Limited steering wheel on, I noticed that I was not able to get it aligned perfectly in the middle. It could put it either slightly to the left or slightly to the right.

Is there something that I could change (may be in the steering wheel rack) that you let me make this small adjustment?

I called an Alignment shop where I have a coupon and their take was that the SW can only go one way. I know this is not true. It can be adjusted in increments of approximately 5 degrees. Now that does not give me confidence in the abilities of this shop.

Would it be ok if they centered the 2010 SW and made a regular 4-wheel alignment? What about the SW angle sensor? Should they reset that too? If my SW angle sensor is slightly off, would the VSC light be on?
I don't want VSC/traction control to be messed up, especially for my winter driving.
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
I will be taking the RAV to the tire shop for alignment.

Once this is done I MIGHT recalibrate the sensor using a jumper as mentioned in the document "Brake Control (VSC) BC 1-220.pdf" under the "2006 Repair manual" on JuneBug's profile. Am I right to assume that, if there is no warning light when the car is started, that means that no resetting of sensors is required? Will the warning light disappear if the car is RE-started e.g. mechanic drives the car out of the bay and when I come to check the lights (hours later) the indicator lights might not be there anymore :shrug: Is this what is meant by "Indication of the steering sensor zero point malfunction is canceled by turning the ignition switch OFF"???

=====================================================
On Page BC-120
DTC C1290/66 Steering Angle Sensor Zero Point Malfunction
DESCRIPTION
The skid control ECU learns the steering sensor zero point every time the ignition switch is turned ON andthe vehicle is driven at 35 km/h (22 mph) or more for approximately 5 seconds. The ECU also stores theprevious zero point.If front wheel alignment or the steering wheel position is adjusted without disconnecting the negativebattery terminal, or if the yaw rate and deceleration sensor zero point is not set after the adjustments havebeen completed, the skid control ECU detects the difference between the previously stored zero point andthe newly learned zero point and outputs this DTC to indicate a poor adjustment.Indication of the steering sensor zero point malfunction is canceled by turning the ignition switch OFF.

DTC No.
C1290/66
DTC Detection Condition
Steering sensor zero point calibration position differs
significantly from recorded value
Trouble Area
• Yaw rate and deceleration sensor zero point calibration incomplete
• Poor adjustment of centered position of steering wheel
• Poor adjustment of front wheel alignment

The tireshop told me that resetting sensors was a dealer service! Glad that we have a manual way to reset those sensors!
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Thanks, like I said, I am getting the alignment done.

I am pretty sure that I will do the sensor zero calibration. It does not seem complicated. But I was wonderning if I should do it if there is no warning light on.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Should I ask to have the steering wheel centered first, according to (1) "Steering Column SR 1-21.pdf" followed by regular alignment as mentioned on (2) "Suspension SP 1-53.pdf"?

I am thinking that (2) should automatically make the steering wheel centered or am I making a wrong assumption?