Pinpoint Test R : Steering Wheel Position Sensor Faults: Notes
Diagnostic Overview
Diagnostics in this article assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices. Refer to Diagnostic Methods in Service Information for information about these practices.
Normal Operation and Fault Conditions
The ABS module uses the steering wheel position sensor in conjunction with the RCM sensor information to determine vehicle direction of travel. For vehicles not equipped with active park assist, the ABS module receives the steering wheel position information from the PSCM over the HS-CAN. For vehicles equipped with active park assist, the ABS module receives the steering wheel position information from the SCCM over the HS-CAN.
The ABS module continually compares the steering wheel position information received against other sensor information to determine the validity of the information received. An internal failure of the steering wheel position sensor, RCM, PSCM, SCCM or a vehicle communication concern causes the ABS module to set 1 or more DTCs.
DTC Fault Trigger Conditions
| DTC | Description | Fault Trigger Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| C0051:23 | Steering Wheel Position Sensor: Signal Stuck Low | This DTC sets in continuous memory if the steering wheel position sensor message sent by the PSCM or the SCCM over the HS-CAN does not match the other sensor information received by the ABS module. |
| C0051:27 | Steering Wheel Position Sensor: Signal Rate of Change Above Threshold | This DTC sets in continuous memory if the steering wheel position sensor message sent by the PSCM or the SCCM over the HS-CAN indicates a higher rate of change when compared to other sensor information received by the ABS module. |
| C0051:29 | Steering Wheel Position Sensor: Signal Invalid | This DTC sets in continuous memory if the ABS module receives more than 3 steering wheel position sensor messages or less than 1 steering wheel position sensor message during the test period. |
| C0051:54 | Steering Wheel Position Sensor: Missing Calibration | This DTC sets in continuous memory if the ABS module receives a steering wheel position sensor message from the PSCM or SCCM indicating the steering wheel position sensor cannot find center. The PSCM and SCCM use the wheel speed sensor information from the ABS module to aid in determining steering center. If there is a wheel speed sensor DTC or a wheel speed sensor concern, this can cause one of the modules to set a DTC. |
| C0051:64 | Steering Wheel Position Sensor: Signal Plausibility Failure | This DTC sets in continuous memory if the steering wheel position sensor message sent by the PSCM or the SCCM over the HS-CAN does not match the other sensor information received by the ABS module. |
Possible Causes
- DTCs set in other modules
- Wheel speed sensor concern
- Vehicle communication bus
- Steering wheel rotation sensor (vehicles equipped with active park assist)
- PSCM (vehicles not equipped with active park assist)
- RCM