Steering Angle Sensor
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1998 Acura 3.5RL and 1997 Acura 3.5RL. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Steering angle sensor is located in steering column. Steering angle sensor consists of a disc with uniform slits, positioned between an LED, a fixed slit and a photo transistor. As steering wheel is turned, disc rotates and blocks light from LED. Light that passes through disc and fixed slit to photo transistor is converted into a 5-volt output signal. Output signal has an "A" phase (4 degree, single cycle) and a "B" phase (one degree, 1/4 cycle) output. TCS control unit uses steering angle sensor signals to detect steering wheel turning angle and direction of turn.