Q: What is cause of yaw sensor malfunction

asked by on November 11, 2016

i was rear ended and all of a sudden light on. i took my car to the shop, i was told is the yaw sensor. Prior to the accident there was know light. The shop said this was due to the impact of the accident. Is the shop right

My car has 187111 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

I’ll agree with the shop on this one. The yaw sensor is a very sensitive device designed to measure the sideways force on a car during a turn and it’s part of the Vehicle Stabilization System. It has a small weight inside and measures the force by measuring the movement of the weight. It’s not designed to handle anything like the forces generated in even a minor crash. If you want a second opinion on that code, or if you want someone else to replace the sensor, you can contact YourMechanic and they will send a technician to your home to diagnose the system and tell you what needs to be done.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How does the security system work in a 2012 Honda Accord?
If your Accord has a security system as a standard feature (all but LX models), you have built in anti-theft protection. The system is designed to flash the lights and honk the horn if someone tries to enter the vehicle...
Coolant leaking from car
Hi, I would check inside the engine bay for residue, mainly around the water pump and on the motor itself. There are seals that can leak slowly over time making it difficult to find the source. You can also check...
Engine knock in 1999 Chevy S-10
Sad but true--those things had the engine problems from the get-go. There used to be a website where people had class action suits for this car. They were suing GM, but I’ve noticed lately that the website's gone. I don't...
Grinding noise when brake is applied
A grinding noise can be the brake pad material or the pads worn down to metal. The shaking when you brake is most likely the front rotors being warped. Sometimes the rotors will feel okay during light braking, but will...
Stuck in 4 wheel low
This is not a common problem and your vehicle may have a bad control motor that shifts the transfer case in and out of 4WD (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-all-wheel-drive-works). You will need to have the system scanned to see if there are codes...
Smell of burning rubber after I changed the belt
You may have one or more pulley with a bad bearing that is causing the pulley to not turn with the belt, causing the burning of the belt. Have the pulleys monitored while holding the engine at 2500 RPM in...
Have a 2000 Jeep grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0. The voltage gauge is not working and it spits and sputters while alternator is hooked up.
Hi there. If the alternator is causing the volt gauge on the dash to stop working, then the polarity on the wires is backwards. Check the power wire to the alternator and make sure that its hooking up to the...
2003 Hyundai Sante Fe Muffler noise
Hello, thank you for writing in. The hooks are simply what hold the exhaust in place. If the hooks on the bottom of the vehicle are broken, then the exhaust pipe and possibly the muffler, are banging against the bottom...
How much would it cost me to get the whole electronic throttle control system fixed?
Hi there. Although this is not a service our mobile mechanics can offer, replacing the electrical harnesses that impact the operation of the throttle body and electronic throttle control on your 2008 Jeep is a pretty delicate process and can...

Related articles

How Long Do Wiring Harnesses Last?
Car wiring harnesses connect all the different electrical systems and components in a vehicle. Wiring harnesses can last the lifetime of the vehicle.
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec
The The 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec is a safe vehicle that offers many standard features such as solid wood accents, thick leather on the seats, and memory buttons to save your seating position. The ride is comfortable as it has...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Speed Timing Sensor
Common signs include the transmission having difficulty shifting, Check Engine Light coming on, vehicle not starting, and loss of engine power.