Mazda Training manual - part 96

Dynamic Driving Safety Systems 

TCS 

TCS Indicator Light 

• 

The yellow TCS indicator light is located in the IC. It illuminates after ignition on for a few 
seconds to inform the driver that the warning light has no malfunction. During driving it 
flashes whenever TCS operates, to visually inform the driver that the system is currently 
operating. 

• 

If it stays on or illuminates without flashing during driving, a malfunction is detected. An 
illuminated indicator light, does not necessarily indicate that the system is disabled. It 
only indicates, that the driver should have the system inspected as soon as possible. All 
current Mazda vehicles feature a DTC memory function. The malfunction is stored in the 
ABS CM.  

 

 

L2003_02024 

 

1 

IC 

2 

TCS indicator light 

 

Diagnostics 

• 

The TCS indicator light can be checked by: 

– 

Visually inspecting the light after switching the ignition on 

– 

Using the input/output check mode for the IC 

 

Curriculum Training 

02-43 

TCS 

Dynamic Driving Safety Systems 

TCS OFF Indicator Light 

• 

The yellow TCS OFF indicator light is located in the IC. It illuminates after ignition on for 
a few seconds to inform the driver that the indicator light has no malfunction. It is also 
illuminated when the TCS is switched off by the driver, or if the TCS is disabled due to a 
malfunction. 

• 

If it illuminates without the TCS having been switched off by the driver, a malfunction is 
detected. All current Mazda vehicles feature a DTC memory function. The malfunction is 
stored in the ABS control module.  

 
NOTE:  On vehicles without electronic throttle valve, the TCS OFF indicator light might stay 

illuminated after the engine has been started at an engine coolant temperature below 
0° C. Because, the system is automatically disabled until the engine coolant 
temperature reaches a specified value (depending on the model approx. 35° C), to 
avoid engine running problems caused by changing the ignition timing of the cold 
engine. This does not indicate a malfunction. 

 

 

L2003_02025 

 

1 

IC 

2 

TCS OFF indicator light 

 

Diagnostics 

• 

The TCS OFF indicator light can be checked by: 

– 

Visually inspecting the light after switching the ignition on 

– 

Using the input/output check mode for the IC 

 

02-44 Curriculum 

Training 

Dynamic Driving Safety Systems 

TCS 

TCS OFF Switch 

• 

The TCS OFF switch is located in the dashboard. With this momentary switch, the driver 
can disable the TCS operation in case the vehicle is stuck and spinning the wheels may 
help to free the vehicle. 

• 

Whenever the TCS is switched off, the TCS OFF indicator light will be illuminated in the 
IC. The TCS will automatically be switched on again, after switching the ignition off and 
on.  

 

 

L2003_02026 

 

1 TCS 

OFF 

switch 

  

 

 

Diagnostics 

• 

The TCS OFF switch can be checked by: 

– 

Visually inspecting the TCS OFF indicator light while switching the TCS on and off 

– 

Measuring voltage signals and resistance 

 
 

Curriculum Training 

02-45 

DSC 

Dynamic Driving Safety Systems 

TCS on Vehicles with 4WD 

• 

The system is similar to that on a 2WD vehicle, except that a torque request signal can 
be transmitted to the 4WD CM  

• 

When the TCS CM detects a condition where it is necessary to increase the torque 
transmitted to the rear wheels, it transmits a torque request signal via CAN to the 4WD 
CM. Based on this request signal, the 4WD CM activates the electronically controlled 
clutch to increase the torque forwarded from the propeller shaft to the rear differential 
and on to the rear wheels. 

 
NOTE:  Due to the fact that the TCS on vehicles with 4WD is similar to that on vehicles with 

2WD, the system can be inspected in the same way. 

 

Dynamic Stability Control 

• 

The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system is designed to increase the vehicle’s driving 
stability, especially if the vehicle tends to understeer/oversteer, e.g. when cornering too 
fast.  

• 

The DSC detects tendency for swerving with the aid of its input signals, and reduces this 
by applying a calculated amount of brake force to a single wheel and/or by controlling 
the engine torque (similar to TCS control). 

• 

The DSC is incorporated into the ABS HU/CM. The module is called a DSC HU/CM. The 
DSC features the following changes in components over an ABS with TCS: 

– 

Two stability control solenoid valves are added 

– 

A combined sensor is added 

– 

A steering angle sensor is added 

– 

A brake fluid pressure sensor is either attached to the brake master cylinder or 
integrated to the HU 

– 

A DSC indicator light and a DSC OFF indicator light are added to the IC 

– 

A DSC OFF switch is added to the dashboard 

– 

The vehicle has neither a TCS OFF indicator light nor a TCS OFF switch 

 
NOTE:  Because a large number of components is similar to those of an ABS with TCS, only 

the differences are explained. 

 
 

02-46 Curriculum 

Training