Chassis, generic

C0624 Variable Effort Steering Sensor Circuit

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

Variable effort steering tunes hydraulic assist to the situation, and besides road speed some systems also read a steering wheel sensor. Ford's variable-assist steering, first used on the 1988 Lincoln Continental, fed its module from an optical sensor tracking how the wheel turns; a Ford patent describes that encoder with 20 slots and two detectors, good for 4.5° steps, and drops the actuator current during quick evasive turns so full assist comes back. A GM patent adds a handwheel angle input to Magnasteer control. C0624 is the general electrical fault in this sensor circuit: broken signal wire, lost feed or ground. No maker publishes C0624. Effort then follows road speed alone, or the system falls back to one fixed level.

Likely causes

Loose or corroded connector at the steering column sensor
Wire broken where the harness flexes in the steering column
Failed sensor, for example a dead optical detector

Symptoms

  • Steering effort no longer reacts to quick wheel movements
  • Effort stays at one level or follows only road speed
  • Steering warning on some vehicles

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€30–450
Time0.5–2 h

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

Parts involved

ves sensor

Related codes

C0625C0626C0627C0628C061C

References: patents.google.com, aa1car.com, patents.google.com.