Preconditions For Activation

Preconditions for activation for Active front Steering are:

• Terminal 15 ON
• Engine running

Steering-wheel position and the position of the steered wheels are synchronized as soon as the engine is running.

This ensures that the positions of the steering wheel and the road wheels match if, for example, the steering wheel was moved while the vehicle was at a standstill with the ignition switched OFF.

Movements of the steering wheel or the vehicle's front wheels might be perceptible while synchronization is in progress.

Synchronization also occurs while the vehicle is on the move, but the process is extremely slow and virtually imperceptible.

Notes for service staff 

The following information is available for service staff:

• General information:
  NOTE: The track settings of a vehicle with Active Front Steering are not the same as those of a vehicle with conventional power-assisted steering.

  Track has to be reset after work on the steering. The procedure for adjusting track on a vehicle with Active Steering (cumulative steering angle sensor) is not the same as that for a vehicle with a conventional power-assisted steering system. It is essential to follow the instructions in the repair instructions.

  Power supply (Active Steering up to 2nd generation) - The Active Steering must be initialized again after the battery has been disconnected. To do this, proceed as follows:

  • Start the engine (the "Active Steering inactive" Check-Control message appears).
  • Turn the steering wheel first as far as it will go anticlockwise and then as far as it will go clockwise.
  • Alternatively the vehicle can be driven at about 30 to 40 km/h.
  • Turn off the engine and switch off terminal 15.
  • Start the engine. The Active Steering and all its functions is now available.
  • Delete the Active Steering fault memory.

  Active Steering from 3rd generation - The discontinuation of the cumulative steering angle sensor means the Active Steering has to be commissioned differently. Commissioning is only possible using a service function in the BMW diagnosis system. Commissioning also has to be performed if the signal from the motor-position sensor is lost.

  Calibrating the steering angle sensors - If the steering column switch cluster (SZL) is exchanged or reprogrammed, or if the steering box is exchanged: The steering angle sensors must be recalibrated (offset). The motor-position sensor (angle) is initialized in the AL control unit.

  Active Steering up to 2 generation - The cumulative steering angle sensor in the steering box is calibrated by the manufacturer to the midpoint of the steering rack.

  NOTE: Be sure to secure the shield of the electric servomotor. Failure to connect the shield (3 phases of the electric servomotor) to the holder of the AL control unit, will almost certainly impair radio reception as a result of interference.

  Servotronic valve - If a fault occurs (when de-energized, for example) the Servotronic valve switches to the characteristic for high speeds. Steering assistance is reduced accordingly.

• Diagnosis:
  NOTE: Commissioning for 3rd generation Active Steering. Commissioning is only possible using a service function in diagnosis.

  Commissioning the Active Steering - There is a service function available in the BMW diagnosis system for commissioning or adjusting the Active Steering. The service function can be found by means of the following path: Service functions -> Suspension -> Active Steering.

  Commissioning is necessary for or after the following work:

  • Work on the steering column
  • Exchange or programming of AL control unit. There is no need for programming with Active Steering from the 3rd generation.
  • Exchange or programming of steering column switch cluster (SZL)
  • Exchange or programming of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  • Steering box exchange

  Note: Reasons for wheel alignment - No fault memory entry in AL control unit despite inclination of steering wheel - Fault memory entry present and troubleshooting concluded with result "Check wheel alignment" - Repair measures performed making wheel alignment necessary.

  Active Steering control unit - For safety reasons (redundancy), the AL control unit is equipped with two processors. The Active Steering will be deactivated different data is received from the two processors. > BMW 5 and 6-Series up to 09/2005 Servotronic is then actuated by the safety and gateway module (SGM).

  Safety and gateway module - BMW 5 and 6-Series from 09/2005 - The output stage for the Servotronic valve and the ECO valve is in the safety and gateway module (SGM). If either of the valves develops an electrical malfunction, the fault is entered in the fault memory of the SGM.

  Body gateway module - E60, E61, E63, E64 from 09/2005 - On vehicles without Active Steering, the body gateway module (KGM) actuates the Servotronic valve.

• Encoding/programming: -

Subject to change.