So, after I got the tranny replaced in my 04 TL Auto, on my way back to have it looked at again, I noticed that my VSA indicator light, VSA activation light, and check engine light were all on. I also noticed that in order for the car to track straight, I had to have the steering wheel turned to the right about 5 degrees. Not much, but definitely not centered. After replacing a tranny solenoid, the new, rebuilt tranny was shifting fine. The check engine light was off, but the VSA indicator and activation lights were still on.

I also noticed that the steering wheel was now centered when the car was tracking straight. The repair guy is now on vacation, so I can't ask him if he touched it. I do know that sometimes repair guys fix things without telling you, so perhaps he "centered" it without telling me.

After about a hundred miles, the check engine light came on. And now the SRS indicator light is coming on intermittently. The VSA indicator and activation lights are still on.

So, I know there are sensors for the VSA and SRS in the steering wheel column, so that could cause the lights to come on.

But is it possible in any way for the steering wheel to go from centered to non centered to centered again without someone actually touching it? Could this be the cause for all the lights to be on? There is no play at all with the steering wheel.

Lastly, would a regular repair shop have the computer diagnostic system to check out the myriad of all the DTS codes for the car? And would they have the HDS unit? And what is that exactly?

Thanks everyone.

 

Take it back to the dealer that replaced the tranny. They may not have re-connected the main harness properly, or it could be something else.
Your codes can be read by anyone with an OBD2 reader---places like Autozone or Advanced will read it for free. Get the codes and post them up---someone here can translate them for you.

 

Excellent, I'll bring it to Autozone first just to get them read. However, I seem to remember here in CA they don't do that?

Also, what about the weird steering wheel issue?

 

Yeah, turns out that the CA legislature or probably CARB (CA Air Resources Board) declared it illegal about two years ago.

 

Well, the check engine light was for the rear bank cat or O2 sensor. Does the check engine lights show codes for a malfunctioning VSA or airbag? Cause those lights are still on.

 

Check the air pressure & correct if needed in all 4 tires first, this can cause the tracking problem.