I have re-centered the Steering Wheel Position Sensor before...and yes, I did use a paperclip. I will say that to get this sensor out-of-calibration, the wheel had to be installed one full turn (or more) off of true center in either direction. It's actually quite easy for this to happen accidentally during steering rack work.
One thing about this issue is, that it is almost always is accompanied by malfunctioning or non-functioning horn, airbag, wipers, cruise, or washers. The smart switch assembly that controls all of these, has a small ribbon cable spooled up inside of it. There is enough length built into the cable, to allow the H3's steering wheel to rotate the approx. 4 turns stop-to-stop (or 2 turns in either direction from center)...without breaking. But, if you hook-up the wheel one full turn off from true center...then you essentially have 3-turns of cable slack in direction, but only 1-turn of cable slack in the other direction. The first time you turn a tight corner in that direction...SNAP! It's junk. Your dash will light up like a KISS concert.
All of this has nothing to do with the Steering Angle Position Sensor itself but, the two items are related. If one device is out a full turn...usually the other one is also out one full turn. So if you have service Stabilitrac light, and your horn, airbag, turn-signals, cruise control, and all that other stuff...still works okay...then the problem might be from some other sensor. Or you got lucky and haven't turned sharp enough yet to snap the ribbon cable. Check the code and see if it points to a specific device.
If you do find out the problem is the SWPS, then you're in luck and you can fix it. Common myths:
NO! ...there is no such thing as a "digital reset" for the SWPS (even though the dealer often uses this excuse). It must be done by physically re-centering the sensor.
NO! ...you do not need to replace the SWPS, just because its out of calibration. Its just faster to open a box and stick a new one on....than fart around with a paperclip to get the used one re-centered.
YES! ...you
can re-center a used SWPS. It must be removed from the column and rotated, so a lock-pin (paper-clip) can get re-inserted into the alignment holes on the sensor.
ONLY ...after the SWPS, the Smart switch, the column shaft itself, and the front suspension are all sitting in their true center position...can the column be re-installed and the lock-pins removed.
Related post here:
http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?4394-Stabil-Trac-Error-still
