Chassis, generic

C0608 Steering Wheel Angle Sensor Circuit Performance

Check engine lightUsually off

EmissionsNot relevant

Drive cycleRequired

Limp modePossible

C0608 covers a steering angle signal that is electrically in range but cannot be trusted: it jumps, drifts, freezes or disagrees with what yaw rate, lateral acceleration and wheel speeds imply. The Kelsey-Hayes patent rejects a centre offset that moves by more than about 15° after a dropout, and Bosch builds plausibility checks of the individual measuring channels into its GMR sensor. HELLA reminds workshops to zero the sensor after alignment or steering work, since a wrong zero point disturbs stability control. FMVSS 126 defines ESC as a system that monitors driver steering inputs, so the module switches ESC off once that input is doubtful. No maker publishes C0608; related checks are C0528, C052A and C05B2.

Likely causes

Sensor not zeroed after wheel alignment, steering or column repair

Steering wheel fitted off centre or toe out of adjustment

Worn or faulty sensor giving jumping or frozen values

Brief signal dropouts from a loose connector

Symptoms

ESC lamp on, sometimes only after a few turns or straight driving
Unexpected ESC braking interventions
Steering angle not zero with the wheels pointing straight

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job

Parts and labour€30–500

Time0.3–2 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

steering angle sensorabs control module

References: bosch-mobility.com, hella.com, patents.google.com, law.cornell.edu.