[sb001]

perfect thanks for the explanation!
Now while I go get my VSA problem diagnosed, you go on youtube and leave a comment on all those videos about how wrong they all are.

 

[johny_2000]

Oh, YouTube is a dumping ground for everything and everyone. It can be beneficial, or it can be harmful.
Take everything with a pinch of salt from there!

 

[sb001]

OK quick followup- went ahead and took the car for a quick spin, about 5 minutes into drive the Check VSA message popped up right on cue:

As you can see however there are NO other faults- no ABS light and no check engine light on.

Scanning my Nav display for diagnostic messages only yielded a list of stored messages which had popped up mainly before I started working on the car (it sure does like those emissions faults!):

But nothing related to VSA that I can see.

As an extra measure, with the Check VSA message still appearing on the message center display, I went ahead and plugged in my OBD II scanner and checked for codes, and nothing:

(Admittedly I am using a fairly cheap Amazon bluetooth scanner with the Car Scanner app.)

So something is triggering this message to pop up every single time I drive the car now, but no VSA related messages in the diagnostic message list in the Nav screen and no fault codes, no CEL and no ABS fault.

Kind of at a loss...

 

[johny_2000]

Clear the navigation system messages in the service menu and repeat the test again. See which one gets saved then.

 

[sb001]

Clear the navigation system messages in the service menu and repeat the test again. See which one gets saved then.

OK just did this-- I cleared all of the diag messages in the Nav screen, then took the car for another spin. Check VSA System message came back on, it appears on the dash message display and VSA lights up, but there are NO codes and there are NO diag messages in the Nav screen:

This is what I have been trying to explain-- this Check VSA System message does not seem to have anything to do with diagnostic trouble codes. It's like it's not detecting an actual fault in the system, just something wrong with the integrity of the system itself- like there's a harness unplugged or something. Unless the VSA system just doesn't throw codes....

 

[johny_2000]

Okay, I got you. Don't panic, this is a normal troubleshooting process.
The VSA system on this vehicle has 47 different error codes.

This is interesting information in the repair manual that may be relevant to your case:

 

[sb001]

Can you share the information from the repair manual on doing the steering angle center point writing? You mentioned earlier that this is something the alignment shop should have done after the alignment. Do you have to have the HDS to do this? I have a feeling they had no clue they were supposed to do this, and I have to say I can't really blame them as it's not a typical step on most vehicles after an alignment. I'm not really sure they even have a tool with the capability. -
If it ends up somehow being the VSA modulator, well that part is almost $2k, so it might very well be time to panic then.

 

[sb001]

Update:
Called the shop that did the alignment last weekend, and asked them if they had a scan tool that could read VSA fault codes and/ or reset steering angle sensor calibration. They said yes, so took it back there yesterday.
They come back out and tell me my engine is being "starved of oil" and is about to blow, and that's the reason for the VSA light. 😢 I asked them how they came to that conclusion and they showed me the same messages that I posted a picture of above- apparently their scan tool will pull stored codes from a long time back (each of those messages had a date code on it dating back to long before I got the car.) I informed them that those were all old codes, they said no they are current. SO I asked them why not a single one of those codes was making my CEL turn on. They didn't have an answer.
I thanked them for their time and got out of there as quickly as I could.
Weirdly, I suppose they must have done something because the Check VSA message has only come back once since their shop. Either that or cooler weather is causing it to pop up (was unseasonably warm in my area yesterday.)
And, just for peace of mind, I checked the engine oil level a few hours after returning home and it's right at the full mark.
Typical case of a shop just hiring anyone who applies rather than actual techs.

 

[jimhow4545]

Make sure you have big wallet and get ready. It’s going to be fun!

 

[sb001]

Make sure you have big wallet and get ready. It’s going to be fun!

Car runs perfectly. Unlike yours.
But if you need xtra money to fix yours, you might check with the alignment shop I took it to-- apparently they hire people just like you.

 

[jimhow4545]

Car runs perfectly. Unlike yours.
But if you need xtra money to fix yours, you might check with the alignment shop I took it to-- apparently they hire people just like you.

Nice!

 

[johny_2000]

apparently their scan tool will pull stored codes from a long time back (each of those messages had a date code on it dating back to long before I got the car.) I informed them that those were all old codes, they said no they are current. SO I asked them why not a single one of those codes was making my CEL turn on. They did

Okay, this shop is an unreliable source of information. I recommend that you contact someone who has a Honda HDS scanner that can read all the subsystem codes on this vehicle. In addition, it can clear all stored codes and start a new diagnostic from a clean memory buffer.

 

[sb001]

Okay, this shop is an unreliable source of information. I recommend that you contact someone who has a Honda HDS scanner that can read all the subsystem codes on this vehicle. In addition, it can clear all stored codes and start a new diagnostic from a clean memory buffer.

Thanks will do! There is a dedicated Honda shop (not a dealer) in my town, I am sure they would have the HDS and could check / clear everything for me.
I installed new (OEM Acura) sway bar links this evening and took it for about a 15 minute spin, drives MUCH better, wobble is pretty much gone and NO VSA light. No idea what happened over the last couple days but it seems to have corrected itself (knock on wood.)

 

[DiggerOdell]

No ABS warning light at all. ONLY the VSA warning. I would think if I broke an ABS/ wheel speed sensor or wire it would cause both warning lights to come on (although I won't rule that possibility out completely.) That is why I was leaning toward the steering angle sensor, which CAN be affected by tie rod replacement/ wheel alignment and DOES feed into the VSA system.
(And BTW the steering angle sensor is inside the steering column, so pretty sure I didn't break it replacing tie rods.)

I'm not certain on these beasts, but on many vehicles, if the steering wheel is not centered, the system thinks you're continually driving in a slight curve. The system works with the abs system. That system says you're not in a turn or skid, so the default response is the vsa must have a problem. Finding someone who is a really skilled professional in doing assignments where they would catch such a problem automatically is really difficult, but it's what I think you really need.

 

[Wilsoncc]

Had similar issues starting late November with 2009 Mdx that just started as they always do out of nowhere? Performed a obd 2 scan of vehicle and no codes where pulled which was odd as the VSA light , Abs light, shaw-awd light would come on intermittently. The weather was extremely wet during this period. What i noticed was that on the way to work in the mornings there was a stretch of road i traveled that Loaded logging trucks and regular semis traveled that created grooves/ruts in that stretch of road in the right hand lane with puddles of water being trapped. The trailor assist Light is what caught my attention as I was not pulling a trailer, The VSA light , The ABS light all came on after and remained on for a few miles. Comming home was not a problem so i assertained it had to be that stretch in the morning to be the issue. The next morning i took the left lane through that stretch of hwy and had no lights pop up. The following morning i took the right lane again only to have all the same dash lights come on! Comming home i had the vsa light come on and trailor stability on the highway that was flooded so i suspected vehical lost traction in these puddles and set the dash lights on. I next noticed that going over a speed bump caused Vsa light and trailor assist light a week later. Having driven the hwy without issues previously and wet conditions with out incidents in the past this made no sense to me other than yes the ruts would cause the vehical to sway so that explained the trailor assist light and the puddles more than likley caused me to loose traction hydroplaning which would set off the vehicle stability VSA light and the Abs seems to be tied into each other causing it to go on.

So i cheched the wheel speed sensors at all four corners, the brakes, wheel hubs for possible wheel bearing problems and the disks themselves but they where all in great condition. I checked my shocks as thought that maybe the speed bump was suggesting shocks where going out but saw nothing visualy and they rebounded as you would expect. Re-checked for any codes stored but there was nothing showing inc faults.I went back under and checked the linkages for play but again all good! checked the fuse panels including the Relays and Sha-AWD in the back panel again all good.

Drove vehicle for couple more weeks with periodic trailor assist , shaw-AWD, VSA lights comming on. This also seemed to be happening alot with the Honda Pilots over on their site where everyone was equally perplexed and the dealership swapping parts out only for the problem to continue after they left the lot. GO Figure! The Good thing being that we know what they changed out from speed sensors to pcm's, relays and ABS with no change!

So i started looking into the electrical system , charged up the the battery and checked the the alternator output and it all seemed good! Drove to work the following morning and stayed in the right lane through the iffy stretch of hwy and no lights came on with the same wet conditions. The following morning starting the vehicle to go to work in -5 degrees winter conditions the shaw awd and vsa light came on? Car had not moved! 30 secs later trailor assist light. So i went and got my multi meter and checked the battery only to find it charged to 12.2V which after fully charging two days ago was odd. I pulled the battery out of my truck that was charged and put it in and went to work. Got home that night still -5 degrees out and no lights came on dash not a flicker. Drove the vehicle all week to and from work wet cold conditions without any more problems! Its been over a month with new battery and all has been Great! It appears the battery had a faulty cell and could not keep up with the electrical demands.

 

[Wilsoncc]

Update the VSA and Shaw-awd ,unfortunately has reappeared! Back to drawing board.

 

[DiggerOdell]

Update the VSA and Shaw-awd ,unfortunately has reappeared! Back to drawing board.

I don't know about Acura vehicles but i had a GMC suv once that would tell me the antibiotics brakes and skid control system were having a problem. Are checking things out over several months and learning about the systems involved, I found the steering wheel position sensor was defective. I replaced it and the problem was solved. Systems between manufacturers are often quite similar.

 

[Mdx2011adv]

Update the VSA and Shaw-awd ,unfortunately has reappeared! Back to drawing board.

Alternator has to provide 14 or more volts

 

[Wilsoncc]

To update :
After all this time it was the brake pedal switch! $22.00 and 2 min to replace part. Turns out the brake pedal switch does not just operate the brake lights. It actually ties into the whole ABS,VSA ,sh-awd system. This is a major issue in many car forums audi,VW,Volvo.Nissan,Toyota. The issue is the ABS presure sensor switch is built into that large aluminum block with all the brake lines in it. It is a bad design as it does not permit venting which causes excess pressure on the system. You can get a false warning from your scanner stating ABS pressure sensor failure which would point you to the ABS hydrolic block which houses the pressure sensor. It is not available that i know of as a part we can purchase and easily replace? I am not sure it is replaceable by those that repair the vsa/abs control module? it usually costs 350.00 cdn to have the module repaired if it is indeed the culprit and does not require recoding the chip so its plug and play.If they also replace the sensor in the pump than that is a great deal but cant say they do? Many take a chance on a used pump with the same number as you have on top of your aluminum pump housing. If the pressure sensor is gone in their original they replace the original electronic module on the used aluminum pump housing making sure the pump motor works by putting 12v to the motor briefly, this does not require recoding the chip and is plug and play. Anyways i hope this helps others with similar issues.

 

[Bill_H.]

I’m having similar issues after replacing hub bearing on daughters 2013 Acura rdx. In my case within 2 days of replacing the passenger rear hub assembly the “check VSA system, check brake system, ABS system, electric power steering, uphill start assist light, all wheel drive & vehicle stability assist lights came on all at the same time!” Before I start tearing into it I figured I would ask you guys to see what you thought. Also I’m getting no diagnostic codes from my scanner and the ABS module is failing to communicate with my scanner. It seems like a loose module, fuse block, wiring or possibly ecm issue but I didn’t know if any of you guys could isolate the problem or at least give a recommendation on how to diagnose before I start making things worse. I’m going to disconnect the battery and charge it to see if it’s a voltage supply issue immediately following this message. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.