What does it mean?
C1441 is a Chassis (ABS, traction control, steering) fault code. It indicates: Steering Phase A Circuit Signal Is Not Sensed .
Symptoms
- Stability and traction control lamps on with the systems disabled
- Steering angle data missing, frozen, or counting only in one direction
- Electric power steering may reduce assist
- Horn, cruise buttons or airbag warnings can appear at the same time when the clock spring is at fault
- Warning reappears immediately after clearing the code
Likely causes
- Open circuit in the phase A signal wire between the sensor and the control module
- Broken conductor inside the clock spring, which carries these signals on many vehicles
- Corroded, bent or backed out terminal in the column connector
- Failed encoder channel inside the sensor while the other channel still works
- Missing supply voltage or ground at the sensor, so no channel output at all
- Short to ground or to battery on the phase A line holding it at a fixed level
- Damaged module input circuit
How to fix it
- Watch the steering angle value while turning the wheel slowly; look for no change or a one direction count
- Inspect the clock spring and column connectors and perform a wiggle test while monitoring data
- Check sensor supply and ground first; without them no channel can produce a signal
- Backprobe the phase A line with an oscilloscope and look for a clean square wave as the wheel turns
- With both ends disconnected, test the wire for continuity and for a short to ground or battery
- Repair the harness or replace the clock spring when the break is in the wiring
- Replace the sensor if the channel is dead at the sensor connector, then calibrate the steering angle