hahah

 

Hey Erjon,

So I finally got a chance to try the procedure in the Bentley manual of turning the the ring 2.5 turns until wont turn and back the other way 2.5 and then 1/2 that number of revolutions until centered.

The slip ring never stops...just spins without even any subtle detent. I think I broke the "volute spring" when I used the car last and the slip ring wasnt centered before putting on the steering wheel. ahh if only I had the Bentley manual before...I would have known to leave that slip ring the **** alone.

As per the Bentley manual this also effects the horn and and airbag spring contact = volute spring. Now I know why the horn doesnt work and why the ABS light is on.

When you took the SZL apart did you see the volute coil spring? Did it look repairable?

Also, I found this article about the optical eye which says the SZL optical disk should never be cleaned or wiped. Have you seen it?

Looks like I need a new SZL cluster. Cheapest place I found was ECS Tuning which has it for $400 plus shipping. I thought the steering angle sensor could be purchased separately but turns out the angle sensor is integral to the entire cluster with stalks....total bummer.

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2217859/




http://blog.bavauto.com/wp-content/u...-E60-E6311.pdf

Also, at least for BMWs I found that there is a procedure for removing and replacing the volute spring cassette.

www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=597470&d...

http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/x_se...ring_cassette/

Not sure if Mini sells a volute spring cassette or of its even interchangeable. My guess is that its not given that the Bentley manual says nothing about it.

 

The recall which you have provided the link, i have seen it, but our mini does not use the same SZL. I know that is not permited to clean the code disc, but in our Valeo SZL, the code disc is made of steel and it does not matter if you clean it or not. It was that recall a reference for me to open the SZl, when i thought that i can give it a clean. The first time i was lucky cause i did not rotate to slip ring, but the second time i did made the calculation and it appears that it needed 2.5 turn to be on center. As per angle sensor, is true that Bmw does not sell it, but the one i ordered is part of a recall. I cannot say that slip ring is repairable or not, but you have to open SZL apart and to check if something is broken.

 

Today i have changed optical element on SZL. Unlucky me only the SZL 9E28 error is disappeared. The other 2 errors still remains. It looks like SZL does not send the correct angle to DSC and EPS. I will check again what is going on. Maybe some cables that goes from SZL to DSC and EPS.

 

Hey Erjon,

I also changed the optical sensor, just for the **** of it, since I had the entire unit apart. I just havent had the time to put the unit back together and try and calibrate. For whatever its worth, the optical elements look exactly alike. The numbers stamped on them were the same too. Yours as well?

Since my volute spring or clock spring or whatever the frack its called, is broken, I hesitate to reuse the unit it at all, even though I soldered everything back together and check continuity. The connections I repaired include transmission of airbag signals and I dont want the airbag to not deploy or deploy inadvertently. If I knew more about how the wiring worked I might risk it but I couldn't find a diagram even in the Bentley manual.

Anyway changing the optical element is actually an easy job, if you guys are considering doing it. Just some screws and plastic tabs and that's it. The optical element just clips into place.

Did you check the 3 connections at the steering rack Erjon?

This weekend I should be able to put the assembly, sans airbag, back together and see if I can calibrate the SZL. The airbag light will be on, but I'm curious to see if the SZL will function before I buy a completely new $400 SZL and volute spring assembly.

 

I did not checked the connector, but only unplug it and plug back. Maybe there is a problem with this connector.

 

There are 3 of them....right behind the motor. You can reach them easily from the engine bay. I doubt thats youre issue but you might as well look.

Are you sure your software is capable of calibrating the steering angle?

 

I will try to look for the connectors.
For calibrating i am using BMW software Ista/D or Rheingold. This is the software BMW service use. It does not finish the calibrating process because of the error.

Here is a video of calibration process.

 

I have checked the connecters that goes from SZL, 2 of them. The one with 4 cables is for airbag, the other one with 18 pins goes directly to DDE. They both look ok to me. Is strange that even if internal error 9E28 has disappeard, in ista-d steering angle in SZL is still -1440,15 degree and fault. I don't what to do in this stage. Maybe i will try to recode SZL.

 

Erjon,

Yo I recognize those connectors!

I had to order a SZL, as predicted. I finally had a chance to try the "repaired" clockspring and SZL unit...car and software didnt even recognize it. Might be because I didnt install the airbag, but I wasnt about to chance the airbag popping off because of a short circuit and breaking my hand or nose .

Anyway, as soon as I have the SZL unit I will let you know what ****ed up errors I get from the software...

Should be here by the weekend...I hope.

Its amazing how little technical knowledge sharing goes on at these Mini forums. Must be the kind of men this car brand attracts.

I just bought that software so I dont know how to use it, let alone how to interpret yours. Sorry bro.

 

Erjon,

FYI, you can get a used SZL from the Uk for 1/2 price on EBAY.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221656299682...S:1123&vxp=mtr

I can say I would be very fond of used electronics...but they claim you can return it.

 

Erjon,

I received the new SZL unit. Im going to see if I can get the car to recognize the new unit and calibrate it....not sure if my software allows me to do the first step.



Whats the status of your project?

Lex

 

The status of my project is the same.
I think that i need to code SZL and DSC. Maybe this will help, but i am finding hard to make it. My softwares does not let me code this modules. I am still fighting.

 

You need to code your new SZL to match VIN of your car. You will need Ista-p or Autologic to do that.

 

Erjon,

I installed the new SZL cluster and airbag light is off, horn works, turn signals work normally.

Well Im hoping that AutoEnginuity will "code the SZL". I cannot get to go into "actuation mode" so that I can calibrate the steering angle.

It did take some time to recognize the sensors....as per the photo below. But maybe that isnt the same as coding? I dont know the difference. The software does specifically recognize the VIN and I have the BMW software extension. But I am a novice with software, so I may skipping something.

 

Now I know why I cannot actuate the steering calibration. The Auto Enginuity software will not "code" the new SZL. I confirmed it with the vendor.

If anyone has access to coding software in the Washington DC or Baltimore metro area, Ill happily pay you if you code it for me. Id rather pay someone on the side than bend-over for the stealership.

 

Erjon,

Update:

I brought the car into an aftermarket shop that specializes in BMW and Mercedes and they had an OTC brand J-2534 capable programmer (something like this I suppose ) and they programmed the new SZL and calibrated the steering wheel position.

I wasn't there when they did it and the technician wasn't there when I picked up the car. My DSC! and BRAKE light are now "gone". Cost me $112 for reprogramming.

 

What symptoms are there from this part being bad ?

I bought an 07 r56 S from auction and I have no power steering , also my ASC , brake , and ABS light are on on the tach.
I've replaced dme , bcm, Jbe , cas , steering rack motor etc and no help . Do I need it calibrated or any clues ???

Thanks much !!

 

Read man. READ.

 

I have been !!
I also don't want to spend any more $ then I already have if I don't need to. Didn't know if my issues are just a case of needing to " sync" all my new (used) computers ( dme, bcm, Jbe, etc) ????

 

What exactly does this system do ? Im unfamiliar with it snd don't understand the acronyms.

 

I'm in exactly the same boat with my 2007 e93 335i. I have cleaned the disc and lens, to no avail. INPA steering angle readings start with -14xx something, the readings move when I turn the steering though, so something is being read for sure. I know it's been a while since you posted, but did you order that repair kit and did it fix it?
Regarding the clock spring, my horn and the stalks and other steering buttons work fine, just that indicator doesn't self cancel.

 

can you get a used one?

 

Yes I can. I'm not in the UK but saw some listed there. But I was keen on trying on the repair kit instead: 83192179894

I guess the real question is, how do we know for sure if the entire SZL switch needs replacing or just the angle sensor listed in the part number above?

 

I wish I knew my friend. The SZL does connect to your airbag so you def want it all to work. When my ribbon snapped I ended up just buying a new SZL and programming it to the car. $$$.