Chassis, generic

C0712 Power Steering Position Sensor Range/Performance

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modePossible

No carmaker is known to document C0712; it is not in the J2012 tables, bulletins or maker indexes searched. The title points to a position input of the power steering whose value is outside the expected band or does not track the other signals. An electric power steering relies on three position measurements: driver torque, the angle of the assist motor and the absolute steering wheel angle; Infineon offers separate angle sensors for the last two. How much an implausible angle hurts is shown by GM bulletin PI0800D for 2013 Equinox, Terrain, Malibu, LaCrosse and Regal: after a botched steering angle alignment the EPS logs a code that will not clear, assist drops to manual after only part of a turn and the car tries to steer to one side at speed. A new calibration or reflash usually follows.

Likely causes

Steering angle or position learn skipped or done wrongly
Position sensor in the steering gear or column defective
Intermittent connection in the sensor wiring

Symptoms

  • Power steering warning, assist reduced or lost
  • Steering wheel off centre or vehicle drifts to one side

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€80–1,200
Time0.5–3 h

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

Parts involved

steering position sensorpower steering modulesensor wiring

Related codes

C0460C0526C0528C0805C0830

References: community.infineon.com, static.nhtsa.gov, nxp.com.