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5 January 2009
New Devices, New Sensors
Sticking to the Road
The vehicles of today’s vintage are more “low profile” than vehicles of the past. This ensures that they will “stick” on the road and not fishtail all over it.
In order to keep vehicles on the road more securely, manufacturers have added extra sensors on selected models. The new steering position sensor is one of them and is entitled the steering angle sensor. This sensor tells the computer that you are turning. Let’s suppose that you are turning right—the vehicle usually leans left. Today the suspension will automatically adjust the vehicle so that it will not lean left or right!
Controlling the situation
Another scenario: Still in the right turn mode, you find you are going too quickly and the back end of your vehicle wants to join the front end. There’s a solution for this as well…the yaw sensor feels this and automatically applies the brakes to one of the rear wheels (the sensor chooses which one) to keep the back end of the vehicle where it belongs. Similarly, if you’re turning right and the vehicle doesn’t want to turn right, the sensor will apply the brakes to the left front wheel so the car will go right. The same applies if the turn is to be to the left. As you might be aware, these sensors are not found on all makes and models, although the system has been around since 2000 models came out on the market. It is found on some GM, Ford, and Chrysler models, as well as some of the imports, such as Hyundai.
Scanners needed
To diagnose something wrong with one of these systems and the TPMS sensors, a new scanner is needed. This particular by-directional scanner is also used with Traction Control. Another sensor called Ride Height is also new on the system and needs this scanner. Something else that applies to keeping vehicles “sticking” to the road is the steering system. On GM vehicles it’s E-Steer (electric steering) and this device uses an electric motor rather than a hydraulic steering pump. This is a very high tech device (and quite high class). No one knows yet what it will cost to fix! To diagnose anything wrong with this system, you absolutely need a bi-directional scanner called Tech 2 with a CANDI interface adapter. If you don’t have one, you can’t fix the system. Again, this system is not found on all models…for example the Equinox, Envoy, some of the GM trucks, and the Chevy Malibu have this system. Ford Motors has devised a similar system and it is brand, spanking new on the 2008 models. I’ve heard about it, but as yet, have not seen it.
RSC
Another mechanism i s RSC—Roll Stabilization Control—which is standard on the high- end Ford Explorer model. This apparatus senses if the truck is going to turn over! In order to save the roll-over, the device cuts off the gas and applies “selective” brakes. This would be an asset to any vehicle but is quite expensive. As you can see, manufacturers are making vehicles with more safety features. Additional features usually mean that something can go wrong with them. It’s up to you as an automotive service provider to be on top of all these new elements and be able to fix them with the proper tools. Yes, they’re expensive, but necessary for your future as a quality technician in today’s automotive world.
Pierre Bissonnette is the technical instructor for Federal-Mogul and holds a teaching certificate in andragogy – which is the art and science of helping adults, whose general education has been cut short, in their learning process.
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