Normal Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Lincoln MKX and 2014 Ford Edge. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The steering wheel position sensor (also known as the steering wheel rotation sensor) uses 2 optical sensors to monitor the steering wheel position relative to the center position when the ignition is in RUN. The steering wheel position sensor transmits this data to the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) which processes the data and transmits it on the High Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN).

DTC C0051:16 (Steering Wheel Position Sensor: Circuit Voltage Below Threshold) - This DTC sets if the data received by the SCCM from either of the 2 optical sensors is below a predetermined threshold.
DTC C0051:17 (Steering Wheel Position Sensor: Circuit Voltage Above Threshold) - If the data received by the SCCM from either of the 2 optical sensors is above a predetermined threshold.

When either DTC C0051:16 or C0051:17 is set, the SCCM ignores the input from the steering wheel position sensor and transmits a fault message on the HS-CAN .

This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following:

Steering wheel rotation sensor