Acura TSX / Honda Accord CL. Manual - part 272

2004 BRAKES

Vehicle Stability Assist System - TSX 

COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX 

Fig. 1: Locating Vehicle Stability Assist System Components 

GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION 

SYSTEM INDICATOR 

This system has four indicators: ABS indicator (A), VSA indicator (B), VSA activation indicator (C) and brake 
system indicator (D). When the system detects a problem, it illuminates the appropriate indicators. Depending 
on the failure, the control unit determines which indicators are turned on.  

When ABS Function Is Lost: 

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 BRAKES Vehicle Stability Assist System - TSX

  

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 BRAKES Vehicle Stability Assist System - TSX

  

 

 

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ABS indicator, VSA indicator and VSA activation indicator turn on.  

When VSA Function Is Lost: 

z

VSA indicator and VSA activation indicator turn on.  

When All Functions Are Lost: 

z

All four indicators turn on.  

When The Gauge Assembly Detects F-CAN Circuit Problem: 

z

ABS indicator, VSA indicator and brake system indicator turn on.  

Fig. 2: Identifying Vehicle Stability Assist System Indicators 

ABS/VSA INDICATOR 

If the system is OK, the ABS and VSA indicators go off 2 seconds after turning the ignition switch ON (II).

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 BRAKES Vehicle Stability Assist System - TSX

  

 

The ABS and VSA indicators come on when the control unit detects a problem in the system. However, even 
though the system is operating properly, the indicator may come on under these conditions:  

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Only the drive wheel rotates  

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One drive wheel is stuck  

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The vehicle goes into a spin  

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The ABS or VSA continues to operate for a long time  

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The vehicle is subjected to an electrical signal disturbance  

To determine the actual cause of the problem, question the customer about the problem, taking the above 
conditions into consideration. 

When a problem is detected and the ABS indicator comes on, but not the VSA indicator, there are cases when 
the indicator stays on until the ignition switch is turned OFF, and cases when the indicator goes off 
automatically when the system returns to normal:  

DTC 61 Or 62: 

z

The ABS and VSA indicators go off automatically when the system returns to normal.  

DTC 11, 13, 15, 17, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 53, 54, 71, 81, 112, 121, 122, 123 Or 124: 

z

The ABS and VSA indicators stay on until the ignition switch is turned OFF whether or not the 
system returns to normal.  

DTC 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 41, 42, 43, 44, 51 Or 52: 

z

The ABS and VSA indicators stay on until the system returns to normal after the vehicle is driven.  

DTC 64, 65, 66, 68, 83, 84 Or 86: 

z

The VSA indicator stays on until the ignition switch is turned OFF whether or not the system 
returns to normal.  

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 

The memory can hold any number of DTCs. However, when the same DTC is detected more than once, the 
more recent DTC is written over the earlier one. Therefore, when the same problem is detected repeatedly, it is 
memorized as a single DTC. 

The DTCs are indicated in ascending number order, not in the order they occur. 

The DTCs are memorized in the EEPROM (non-volatile memory). Therefore, the memorized DTCs cannot be 
canceled by disconnecting the battery. Do the specified procedures to clear the DTCs (see HOW TO CLEAR 
DTCS ). 

SELF-DIAGNOSIS 

Self-diagnosis can be classified into two categories:  

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Initial Diagnosis: Done right after the ignition switch turned ON (II) and until the ABS or VSA 

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 BRAKES Vehicle Stability Assist System - TSX

  

 

indicators go off.  

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Regular Diagnosis: Done right after the initial diagnosis until the ignition switch is turned OFF.  

When the system detects a problem, the VSA control unit shifts to fail-safe mode. 

KICKBACK 

The pump motor operates when the ABS or VSA is functioning, and the fluid in the reservoir is forced out to 
the master cylinder, causing kickback at the brake pedal. 

PUMP MOTOR 

The pump motor operates when the ABS or VSA is functioning. 

The VSA control unit checks the pump motor operating during initial diagnosis when the vehicle is driven over 
10 mph (15 km/h) the first time after the ignition switch is turned ON (II). You may hear the motor operate at 
this time, but it is normal. 

BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT/AIR BLEEDING 

Brake fluid replacement and air bleeding procedures are identical to the procedures used on vehicles not 
equipped with VSA. To ease bleeding, start with the front wheels. 

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT DTCS 

The troubleshooting flowchart procedures assume that the cause of the problem is still present and the ABS 
and/or VSA indicator is still on. Following the flowchart when the ABS and/or VSA indicator does not come on 
can result in incorrect diagnosis. 

The connector illustrations show the female terminal connectors with a single outline and the male terminal 
connectors with a double outline. 

1. Question the customer about the conditions when the problem occurred, and try to reproduce the same 

conditions for troubleshooting. Find out when the ABS and/or VSA indicator came on, such as during 
ABS control, after ABS control, when the vehicle was travelling at a certain speed, etc.  

2. When the ABS or VSA indicator does not come on during the test drive, but troubleshooting is done 

based on the DTC, check for loose connectors, poor contact of the terminals, etc. before you start 
troubleshooting.  

3. After troubleshooting, or repairs are done, clear the DTCs, and test-drive the vehicle. Make sure the ABS 

and VSA indicators do not come on.  

HOW TO RETRIEVE DTCS 

1. With the ignition switch OFF, connect the HDS to the 16P Data Link Connector (DLC) (A) under the left 

side of the dashboard. 

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 BRAKES Vehicle Stability Assist System - TSX