Went rallying, need alignment help with steering wheel

SouthArk370Z

Sounds like the steering wheel position sensor is out of adjustment.

Edit:
That sounds like a (serious) mechanical problem but I have no idea what it would be. After reading the thread you linked to, I'd double-check the tierod ends and other steering/suspension parts that may have been involved.

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synolimit

Can I check it?

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13 370z-

SouthArk370Z

Procedure is in the FSM but I don't remember if checking it can be done with "normal" tools.

Edit: I'd make sure there are no mechanical problems before I started worrying about the position sensor. Get the root problem fixed and the position sensor may "fix" itself.

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synolimit

Serious maybe. The steering wheel does seem now slightly cocked to the left after the alignment. I mean I checked "things", nothing seems bent or broken. With the brakes being applied its an electrical issue caused by a mechanical one maybe. The yaw might be one way but the steering angle or abs sensor might be another. I mean with the yaw killed everything is fine. Here's the sheet...remember the passenger toe was a backwards plate so nothing crazy happened it seems.

PS the car also drove and turned fine before the alignment (minus the cocked steering wheel to the right), after 3 recalibrations the car won't turn. Something in the computer or sensor is not playing nice.

Attached Images

image.jpg (455.0 KB, 5 views)

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13 370z-

SouthArk370Z

If the steering wheel is straight now (and assuming the position sensor and yaw sensor are OK), then it sounds like it could be the wheel sensor causing the warning light but that shouldn't affect steering in the way you describe. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean by having to put on the brakes to turn.

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synolimit

I edited the post you quoted. Steering is now slightly left instead of right but that might be the crown in the road. Before was like 16* tilt, now I'd say under 5* but left.

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13 370z-

SouthArk370Z

I don't remember how close you have to be to perfectly straight. Five degrees may be enough to throw the computer off. The FSM should have that spec.

If the steering wheel has moved at all, that indicates to me that there is a very real possibility of serious damage. I recommend taking the car to a collision repair shop and get them to check for damage. This is way too serious to be diagnosing over the Intertubes - especially by me.

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Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

synolimit

Understood. I like you helping though. Haven't been wrong before

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13 370z-

synolimit

What I mean is I drive at say 35mph, the road has a slight curve right where I need to turn the wheel maybe 16*, the yaw light flashes but does not stay on (and yes, it's the yaw light that flashes, not the traction control light) and the brakes are pumped automatically causing me to plow left.

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13 370z-

SouthArk370Z

With all the other symptoms it sounds like the steering wheel position sensor and the yaw sensor are disagreeing and the car assumes it needs to correct. I still think the root cause is something more serious than the steering wheel/SWPS being out of adjustment. But I'm no expert.

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Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

synolimit

That's what I'm thinking. Is the pic the issue now? If those threads slipped from the hit then that's what let go.

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13 370z-