BMW Power Steering Torque Sensor and You

What the BMW Power Steering Torque Sensor is For

BMW Power Steering Torque Sensor is part of an Electronic Power Steering system. An Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system has more advantages than a hydraulic steering system. If the engine stops, electronic power steering still provides assist. With electronic power steering system, you no longer need hoses, pump and drive belt in connection with the engine consuming varying amounts of power. The electronic power steering system works very well and can be put in the steering column or on the rack and pinion steering gears. Rack and pinion gears convert rotation to linear motion. This system doesn’t put load on the engine from alternator or power steering pump and does not use any hydraulic fluid.

What This is?

BMW Power Steering Torque Sensor works in the steering shaft. This steering torque sensor digitally senses the torque produced while a driver steers the car. It senses the torque of 3 steering wheel turns from one limit position to another. Limit position being the extreme point onwards which steering can’t be performed. The torque signal is sent to electromechanical power steering; this means that the measure of rotation in the steering wheel is sent to electromechanical power steering. The purpose of the torque sensor is to convey the measure of torque or rotation produced in steering wheel to the electromechanical power steering system.

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How it Works?

The torque sensor works as follows. The torque or rotation produced in the steering wheel causes a twist in torsion bar. This torsion bar transfers the torque of the steering wheel to the pinion. The usage of the BMW power steering torque sensor follows a scientific principle. The change in magnetic field and resistance is captured by the sensor and is used by the power steering torque sensor. Different electronic signals are generated by the elements of this sensor. These voltage signals are transferred to the control unit of electronic power steering. The control unit of electronic power system uses these signals to calculate the required torque assistance.

Structure of Steering Torque Sensor

Depending upon the series, the power steering torque sensor has either a direct connection or a plug connection with the control unit of the electronic power steering. The control unit of the electronic power steering also has the earth connection for the BMW power steering torque sensor. The plug connection has either 5 pins or 6 pins depending upon the model series. If there are 6 pins in the plug connection, 2 pins are assigned; if there are 5 pins in the plug connection, all 5 or 3 of these can be assigned.

It is possible that multiple signal wires are connected between the control unit of the electronic power steering and the torque sensor. BMW power steering torque sensor can remain in the working condition in temperature range of -40 degree centigrade to 80 degree centigrade. If the BMW power steering sensor fails, it leads to a fault entry or an error signal in control unit of electromechanical power steering system and no one wants that.