90 300TE, 4Matic light, steering angle sensor
 

90 300TE 4matic 159,000mi The 4matic light came on yesterday. It was reset by the shop the first week in Jan. They reported a steering angle sensor fault. After the light was reset it worked for about a month with great traction in the snow. I was told the steering angle sensor is no longer available for that car. Two items that may be important. Four new tires were installed yesterday, but I drove 30 miles after that before the light came on. I had collapsed the steering column all the way about five miles before the light came on. If this is related could it be a poor connection or a broken wire?

Will the light stay on even if the fault is intermittent?
Can I reset the light myself or do I need an MB specific scanner?
If so, what is the cost of a scanner and are there any aftermarket scanners?
Is the streering angle sensor hard to replace?
Should I bother trying to get one from a junkyard?
Any other sources for the sensor?

Thanks for the help. Barn

you can reset the 4matic computer by removing battery power for 30 secs.try this first.you do not need a scanner to read off 4 matic fault codes stored in the cpu.when you start the car the 4 matic "brain"will flash out the code on the dashlight.just count the pulses.ive got a 90 4matic wagon never(touch wood)had a problem with the steering angle sensor but it maybe repairable.best of luck

Michael,

Thanks for the help. I disconnected the battery for five minutes and reconnected. The 4matic light went out and the 4 wheel drive worked. I spent 3 hours on snow covered roads this weekend in the northeast. The car had good traction and handled well.

The 4matic light hasn't blinked any codes since the reset. I did notice prior to the light coming on last week, after the car started the light would blink once. Anyone know the significance of this?

Anyway, I appreciate the help. Hopefully it will continue to work through the winter.

:) 1 blink of the light means that the system detected lower than normal hydraulic pressure.this can happen when the car sits overnight and may indicate a leakdown of pressure.usual suspect would be the accumulator at the 4matic valve assembly or possibly a leaking pressure line.keep an eye on the fluid level.next time the car is on a hoist check your lines.