benjaminblazer
Member
Gotcha, yeah sometimes when the ground wet or sometimes just random even when it’s dry, but then i’ll turn it off and back on it goes awayMy wife's '06 TB does the same thing during the winter. Never happens during the other three seasons. We never have been able to figure out what the problem is.
Looked up a video, right under the dash, doesn’t look too bad to change, just alot of screws to keep track of.I've read somewhere that the steering angle sensor can be a factor in that, but it's a PIA to replace! So we just live with it.
While I have yet to try anything yet because of the massive snow storm, I have done some research about the installation of the sensor. Apparently you arent allowed to move the wheel at all when installing same with the sensor itself and I remember taking out that pin before install because no instructions of course but also no video said not to. So after taking off the old one you have to keep the wheel at 0 degrees and remove the pin on the sensor after installation of everything. So im going to try and reinstall a new one first using that procedure, then try all the diagnostics above, thank you.I queried my Off Line *GPT4ALL* AI using the more exotic LLM called "DeepSeek-R1-Qwen-14B" ... A Large Language Model with a fairly robust Machine Learned Knowledge Corpus, just to see if there might be an additional *Nugget* of a Diagnostic Suggestion.
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Prompt: This request for assistance involves a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer with the 4.2L In Line 6 Cylinder Engine: I know this thread is super old but I finally got the time to replace the steering wheel position sensor... well after doing so, the traction control and repair light come on every single time I turn the car on, almost like I either got a bad one out of the box, or wiring on it went after I replaced it?
Response: Okay, so I just replaced the steering wheel position sensor on my 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer with a 4.2L Inline-6 engine. Now every time I start the car, the traction control and repair lights come on. Hmm, that's frustrating because it feels like either the new part is bad or something went wrong during installation.
First off, maybe I got a faulty sensor from the store. But how would I know? Maybe I should check if the old one was working before swapping it out. Wait, no, the problem started after replacing it, so perhaps the new one isn't compatible or defective. Or maybe there's an issue with the wiring harness when I took it apart.
I remember reading somewhere that these sensors are part of the stability control system and they communicate with other modules like the ABS or ECU. So if the sensor is off, those systems might not work correctly, triggering the lights. But why would replacing one component cause multiple issues?
Let me think about possible causes:
1. **Bad Sensor**: The new steering wheel position sensor could be faulty. Maybe I should test it with a multi-meter to see if it's sending proper signals.
2. **Wiring Issues**: When I took out the old sensor, did I maybe damage any wires or connectors? It would help to double-check all connections and look for frayed wires.
3. **Communication Error**: The sensors in cars often use CAN bus communication. If there was a disruption during installation, like disconnecting something without proper protocol, it might have messed up the network. Maybe I need to reset the modules or relearn them using an OBD-II scanner.
4. **Ground Issues**: Sometimes, poor grounding can cause electrical problems. I should check if all ground connections are solid and not corroded.
5. **Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Issue**: If replacing the sensor didn't fix things, maybe the PCM needs a relearn procedure or even replacement.
6. **Corrosion or Moisture**: Did any moisture get into the connectors? That could cause intermittent issues with communication.
7. **Other Fault Codes**: Maybe there are other codes besides P0528 (steering angle sensor). I should use an OBD-II scanner to check for more DTCs and see if they can be cleared or need attention.
I think my next steps would be:
- Use a scan tool to read all fault codes. If it's only the steering wheel position sensor, maybe that's isolated. But traction control issues might point elsewhere.
- Check all wiring connections around where I worked on—the steering column and under the dash area for any signs of damage or corrosion.
- Test the new sensor with a multi-meter to ensure it's functioning correctly compared to specifications.
- If everything seems okay, maybe try relearning the stability control system through the scan tool. Some GM vehicles require this after certain repairs.
If none of that works, I might have to consider replacing other components like the ABS module or PCM, but those are more involved and expensive.
**************************************************************************
The issue with your 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer's traction control and repair lights coming on after replacing the steering wheel position sensor could be due to several factors. Here is a structured approach to diagnose and potentially resolve the problem:
### Possible Causes:
1. **Faulty Sensor**: The new steering wheel position sensor might be defective.
2. **Wiring Issues**: Damage or corrosion in the wiring harness during installation.
3. **Communication Error**: Disruption of CAN bus communication due to improper protocol use during repair.
4. **Grounding Problems**: Poor grounding leading to electrical issues.
5. **PCM Issue**: The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) might need relearning or replacement.
6. **Corrosion/Moisture**: Moisture ingress affecting connectors.
### Next Steps:
1. **Scan for Fault Codes**:
- Use an OBD-II scanner to read all DTCs, not just P0528. Look for additional codes related to traction control or other systems.
2. **Inspect Wiring and Connections**:
- Check the wiring harness around the steering column and under the dashboard for damage or corrosion.
3. **Test the Sensor**:
- Use a multi-meter to verify the new sensor's functionality against specifications.
4. **Relearn Stability Control System**:
- If necessary, use a scan tool to relearn the stability control system as per GM protocols.
5. **Check for Other Issues**:
- Ensure there are no other underlying issues like corrosion or moisture affecting components.
### Conclusion:
If these steps don't resolve the issue, consider more involved solutions such as replacing the ABS module or PCM. However, start with simpler diagnostics to isolate and address the root cause before proceeding to more complex repairs.
Hope This Helps...
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How hard is that to do, finally got the time to put a new one in, pulled the pin after full installation and still showing up as soon as I turn the wheelIf that fails, as per indicated higher in this thread, you may need to update and calibrate the EBCM.
Wow, so 200 just to reprogram a stupid steering angle sensor that wasnt even necessary to replace, I hate this vehicleYou need an adapter, like a J2534 pass-through, that can program modules. On your 06, you should be able to use a Tech 2 and a laptop loaded with the Tis2000 software. A J2534 alone, you could use the ACDelco TDS system with a subscription.
sorry if this is dumb... but a couple post back you posted some install procedures which indicate the steering had to be in "0" position.... how did you determine that at the time of the removal of the original unit?How hard is that to do, finally got the time to put a new one in, pulled the pin after full installation and still showing up as soon as I turn the wheel
The first install i did not know this because no instructions were given on the video or the product. The second install i just did it was as straight as I could get it but obv wasnt perfect so was that the issue?sorry if this is dumb... but a couple post back you posted some install procedures which indicate the steering had to be in "0" position.... how did you determine that at the time of the removal of the original unit?
You think that's bad? You should see all the crap my 2021 Sierra has!Wow, so 200 just to reprogram a stupid steering angle sensor that wasnt even necessary to replace, I hate this vehicle![]()
So i ended up getting it just to try it out because it was 1 day shipping and they wouldnt respond to my email.You think that's bad? You should see all the crap my 2021 Sierra has!
You might not need a dealer level scanner like that to do just the relearn but one that can do some resets and calibrations. I suggested the J2534 for the possibility that you need to replace the EBCM but that would require buying a subscription to GDS for 3 days at $84CAD and SPS for 1 VIN for 2 years at $59CAD.
There are some scanners on Amazon that can do recalibrations. Cheapest option I found was this one. First year is free and then $49USD but even without a renewed subscription, it can be used as a regular scanner. I would check first with TopDon to be sure it can do the Steering recalibration on your specific truck.

BCM is unable to communicate with the PCM on the normal network however they have a backup network