How do you replace a 2007 cheverolet trailblazer steering wheel position sensor
The 2007 and up Avalanche, Escalade, Trailblazer, and other GM trucks changed the design of the bottom of the steering shaft. For no discernible reason, it has a horseshoe cup at the bottom of the shaft that prevents just sliding the old sensor off and putting the new one on like in 2006 and previous models. Therefore the entire steering column has to come out of the truck which is, to say, highly annoying.
Disconnect battery and ground negative lead cable to the frame or leave disconnected for 10 minute to discharge ABS system.
Pull steering wheel ABS cover - 2 small alan wrench holes on either side of the airbag, spring-loaded, pull gently while turning the wrench.
Disconnect both airbag clips (don't lose the retaining clips!) and remove airbag.
Remove lower plastic knee trim (where your knee or shin would touch at the bottom of the kick panel).
Disconnect all steering shaft electrical connectors - there's quite a few.
Under steering column, unbolt upper driveshaft 15mm nut.
Remove 4 16mm steering wheel nuts.
Pull steering wheel out of car, lay on bench.
Remove steering wheel shaft upper protective sleeve (the part that has the horseshoe end shape that prevents the SWPS from sliding off when you're trying to remove it that serves no useful purpose except to turn a 15 minute job into an hour and a half of irritation).
Gently unclip 3 retaining clips of SWPS rear cover (4 o'clock, 7 o'clock, and 12 o'clock on the shaft), slide off, then get a screwdriver in behind the old sensor and gently move it backwards a little so you can get your fingers on it, then slide it off.
Put new sensor on exactly the way the old one was on. Note, DO NOT remove pin until this assembly is back in the car and connected to the electrical harness.
Slide SWPS cover back onto shaft but do not clip into place.
Put steering wheel back in car, connect all bolts and wire harnesses.
Remove pin.
Re-install plastic cover.
Start car, drive to dealership, hook up to Tech 2 and have them run the full SWPS re-learn procedure, which they will probably charge you an hour of labor for anyway, then take your half hour of saved labor money and go buy yourself lunch.
Alternately, save several hours of cursing, make a turkey sandwhich at home to save eating out lunch costs, and let dealer do the whole thing.
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