Replacing the Steering Column Switch

Guide for BMW F models

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Are the indicators or windshield wipers going crazy? Is the steering angle sensor defective? Do some buttons on the steering wheel no longer work or have the gearshift paddles failed? The most common cause of these symptoms is a defective steering column switch/shift center. The control unit could be defective or an internal connection could have become loose.

However: Changing the steering column switch (shift center, SZL) on BMW F models seems more difficult than it actually is. These specific instructions will show you how easy it is to change the steering column switch on BMW F models yourself.

Contents
  1. Required tools & spare parts
  2. Step 1: Disconnect the Battery
  3. Step 2: Removing the Airbag and Steering wheel
  4. Step 3: Disassemble the old Steering Column Switch (SZL)
  5. Step 4: Install new Steering Column Switch (SZL)
  6. Step 5: Refitting the Steering Wheel and Airbag
  7. Step 6: Code the new Steering Column Switch (SZL)
  8. Step 7: Calibrate the Steering Angle Sensor
  9. Conclusion on this "How to"
  10. More Articles

Required tools & spare parts

Ratchet with 8 & 16 mm socket: You need the 8 mm socket to separate the unit from the steering column. You need the 16 mm socket to remove the steering wheel.
Large & small slotted screwdriver: You need the large slot to remove the airbag and, if necessary, for disassembly purposes. You need the small slot as a workaround for unlocking the plug connections and also for disassembly purposes.
OBD/Enet cable + program E-Sys: Coding may be necessary. That depends on which car model you have. However, coding is necessary for most BMW models. You can easily do this with the E-Sys program and our instructions below. Obtaining the E-Sys program on the Internet should not be a problem.
New steering column switch: Here you should pay attention to the exact part number. If necessary, you can also use used parts if the original parts are too expensive. Steering column switches don't usually break easily, no matter how old they are. Simply type in the part number on eBay and you should find what you are looking for.

Steering column switch / SZL module *

BMW F22 F30 F32 F36 F82 SZL SHIFT CENTER 9253751 (For BMW F30)

View on ebay
Steering column switch for BMW F models

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Steering column switch for BMW F30 with telephone number 93702
New steering column switch BMW F-model

INFO BOX:

On older models (e.g. E-series) it was not necessary to replace the complete steering column switch. It was sufficient to replace only the coil spring cassette on the steering column switch. However, this is no longer standard on the F models. Here, BMW forces you to replace the complete steering column switch.

Although some stores on the Internet offer the coil spring cassette for F models, they do not mention that you have to make the solder connections to the steering column switch yourself. We recommend that you do without this "fiddling". See photo:

Soldering winding spring BMW F30
The solder joint of the winding spring to the circuit board on F models

Step 1: Disconnect the Battery

The first step is to safely disconnect the battery. The main reason for this is that the airbag is being removed, and you want to avoid generating unnecessary error codes. Additionally, it is generally recommended to disconnect the power source (the battery) when performing electrical work on the vehicle.

To do this, turn off the engine and open the battery housing in the trunk. Then, disconnect either the negative terminal (black cable) or the positive terminal (red cable). It is not necessary to disconnect both terminals, but it can still be done as an additional safety measure.

Important: Do not close the trunk! Of course, your car's central locking system won't work without power either. You could accidentally lock yourself out.

De-energize the vehicle
Step 1: Disconnect the battery (in the trunk)

Step 2: Removing the Airbag and Steering wheel

The disassembly process is the same for the M package as it is for the standard steering wheel. On the rear side of each steering wheel, there are two slots or holes. Insert a large flat-head screwdriver into these holes as shown in the photo. Try to activate the lever on each side to release the airbag. You will hear a noticeable "click" as it disengages. Then, disconnect the airbag plug and carefully place the airbag to the side (refer to the images).

Method for removing the airbag
Remove airbag on F models (hole on M steering wheel and slot on standard steering wheel)
Interior M steering wheel, airbag
Mechanism for removing the airbag
Airbag plug
Disconnect the plug connection from the airbag

The steering wheel is attached to the steering column with a 16mm hex bolt. Once the bolt is removed, you can easily pull out the steering wheel.

Removing the steering wheel
Remove the steering wheel (16 mm hexagon bolt)

Step 3: Disassemble the old Steering Column Switch (SZL)

Next, first remove the upper cover of the steering column, followed by the lower cover. These are secured with plastic clips and can be easily unclipped. On the rear side of the control unit, there are two plugs that need to be disconnected. One of them has a "lever lock". You release it by simply pushing the lever upwards and pulling out the plug.

Remove the plastic cover
Separate the plastic cover using a flat object.
Disconnect plug from steering column switch
Disconnect 2 x plug connections from the SZL

The steering column switch/control unit is secured to the steering column with four 8mm hex bolts. Once the bolts are removed, you can simply pull the unit off the steering column.

Steering column switch mounting points
The steering column switch is attached to the steering column with 4 x 8 hexagon bolts

Step 4: Install new Steering Column Switch (SZL)

The new steering column switch is simply reattached and connected in reverse order of disassembly. At this point, the steering column module cannot be installed incorrectly, as the screw holes will not allow it.

INFO BOX:

The winding spring on the steering column switch has a special red marking. The lever for unlocking will be missing on used steering column switches. However, this does not mean that the winding spring is not in the correct position.

As long as the wheels are straight when removing and fitting the steering unit, you can't go wrong! The sole purpose of the lever is to prevent the coil spring from being twisted and it will be torn off during assembly anyway.

Fuse, lever steering column switch (SZL)
Securing the winding spring (broken off here as used)

Step 5: Refitting the Steering Wheel and Airbag

There is a notch on the thread of the steering column that aligns with the notch on the thread of the steering wheel. This ensures that you cannot reinstall the steering wheel incorrectly. So, you don’t need to worry about the correct position of the steering wheel during reassembly. Reconnect the airbag and carefully press it back into its position until you hear a "click" on both sides.

Steering wheel center position mark
Notch on the steering wheel (centering)
Steering column center position mark
Notch on the steering column (centering)

Once everything is reassembled, reconnect the battery and start the car. If no error messages appear (such as with the BMW F30 LCI) and everything functions correctly, then this guide is complete for you. However, depending on the model, it is likely that you may now encounter error messages. In this case, coding is necessary, as the car has not recognized the new SZL.

Step 6: Code the new Steering Column Switch (SZL)

For coding, you will need an OBD/Enet cable* and the E-Sys program. Since you do not need to make any changes to the FLA, the standard version of E-Sys is sufficient, and the PRO version is not required.

1.) Establish connection with the vehicle

First, turn on the ignition of your BMW. Then, connect your laptop to your BMW using the OBD/Enet cable and the OBD port in the car. This is located in the driver's side footwell.

OBD socket position
OBD socket in the driver's footwell

Next, either turn on the engine or connect the battery to a power source. We recommend performing all coding procedures with the engine running or while charging the battery.

The first task is to connect the program to the vehicle. To do this, click on the top connection button and select your model according to the table below. It doesn't matter which of the two available entries you choose for your model. The only important thing is that you do not select the "DIRECT" option. For example, for the F30, you must select the F20 option.

Connection button E-Sys
Button for establishing the connection E-Sys
BMW F models table, connection options
The connection options available (the compatible model series are shown in brackets)

In the same window, accept the following settings and click on "Connect".

Connection window E-Sys
Settings in the connection window before you click on Connect

2.) Read out vehicle order (FA) and ECM

The next step is to read the FA and then display the individual control units. To do this, click the following buttons in the shown order:

Read FA and ECU
1. coding, 2. reading (FA) , 3. reading (ECU)

In the list of control units, there is a folder named “SZL_LWS”. This designation stands for the steering column control unit and steering angle sensor. This is the control unit of the steering column switch that is to be reassigned to the vehicle.

Control units list BMW F models (with steering column switch (SZL_LWS))
Name of the control unit to which you have to code (SZL = steering column switch)

INFO BOX:

If there is no entry with SZL, this means that no coding is necessary. In the BMW F30, for example, the new SZL is automatically assigned in the background and the steering angle sensor is calibrated. The SZL control unit is not even displayed in the list.

Control units BMW F30 LCI (without steering column switch SZL_LWS)
In the BMW F30 LCI, the SZL is automatically taught to the vehicle in the background

3.) Assign new CAFD and code it into the vehicle

When you expand the SZL folder, you'll notice that the CAFD point is not green. This means that no CAFD has been assigned to the new control unit. To resolve this, you first need to find your current software I-level. To do this, go to the “VCM” menu and click on the “Master” button. Next, click the “Read” button in the I-level window.

I-Step/I-Level
1st VCM, 2nd master, 3rd read, read I-level (ECU)

Note down the I-step and then return to the “coding” menu. Now, select the SZL_LWS control unit folder again and click on “Determine CAF for SWE” on the right side of the window. A list of available CAFD for the control unit should appear. Select the CAFD that matches the date of your I-step and confirm by clicking “OK”.

CAFD list
Select the CAFD with the same date as the current I-level

Once the new CAFD is assigned, right-click on the “SZL_LWS” folder and click “Code”. When the coding is complete, restart the car and the steering column switch should work again. For a detailed process, refer to the video at the top.

Step 7: Calibrate the Steering Angle Sensor

There are different methods to calibrate the steering angle sensor after replacing the SZL. A widely used method is with the ISTA+ program (BMW diagnostic tool). However, some OBD diagnostic scanners now also include the “calibrate steering angle sensor” function.

Since the installation of the ISTA+ program is complex and does not always work 100%, we calibrate the steering angle sensor in this guide using the MUCAR CS4*. The MUCAR CS4 is a diagnostic tool with 5 maintenance functions (including steering angle sensor calibration) and standard OBD functions such as reading error codes, and more. In our opinion, it's the perfect tool for DIY enthusiasts.

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First, turn on the ignition and connect the diagnostic device to your car. To do this, simply plug the cable from the MUCAR into the OBD socket and starts up the device. When the device has started up and all Updates installed you go to the menu "Maintenance & Service". Then click on the field "SAS".

MUCAR CS4 Maintenance & Service
Menu item "Maintenance & Service"
SAS Meü for maintenance and service diagnostic device
SAS" submenu (steering angle sensor)

Next, set the steering wheel to the center position. The center position is reached when your wheels are aligned straight ahead. The alignment can be done by eye measurement, which is sufficient for the configuration.

Calibrate steering angle sensor/SAS
Calibrating the steering angle sensor with the MUCAR CS4

Finally, simply follow the on-screen instructions and let the device do its work.

Conclusion on this "How to"

If you have followed all the steps sequentially and carefully, there should be no issues when replacing the steering column switch. However, if problems still occur, we are always available to listen and will try to assist you through our contact form.

In general, we consider this repair to be easy and believe that this replacement can be done by any “DIY enthusiast” at home. However, we would like to mention at this point that we do not take any responsibility for damages and that this guide is intended solely as assistance. The responsibility lies with you.


Affiliate links are marked with a *. Nothing changes for you and the offer/price remains the same. You can find more information about affiliate links here.

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