The last thing most drivers want to see when they are driving is a warning light popping on their dashboard.
It can be frustrating and a serious source of concern when you keep getting warning messages on your car’s dashboard.
One of the most common warning messages is the Check VSA System coming up on an Acura.
In this article, I am going to explain what this alert means, the main causes, and how to solve it. let’s get into it.
Acura VSA System Explained
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is a system installed in vehicles to help optimize stability.
The electronic system continuously monitors multiple factors of your vehicle such as the yaw rate, wheel speed, steering angle, and lateral acceleration to make everything is as it should be.
The system also detects instability and imminent loss of control and alerts you through the Check VSA System message.
It, therefore, goes without saying that the VSA system is an important feature that should always be at its best.
This system assists drivers to maintain control of their vehicles by modulating the power of the engine as well as applying brakes to specific wheels when required.
What Does “Check VSA System” Mean on an Acura?
In short, the “Check VSA System” message on an Acura is an indicator of a possible issue with your Acura’s Vehicle Stability Assist system.
This system is an important feature of your vehicle as it is primarily designed to enhance traction and stability, especially when driving in extreme conditions such as on slippery roads.
It prevents skidding and possible loss of control of your vehicle.
The Check VSA System alert in Acura may be due to a variety of reasons, including a faulty wheel speed sensor, a defective yaw rate sensor, and poor wheel alignment.
So keep reading to learn what really causes this warning light message and how you can easily fix it.
What Causes Acura’s “Check VSA System” Alert?
Here are some of the most common causes of the Check VSA System message in your Acura’s dashboard:
1. Faulty Yaw Sensor
The yaw sensor plays a key role in the functionality of the VSA system. It measures your car’s rotation around the vertical axis.
Now, if you have a defective yaw sensor, it is not going to capture the accurate rotation, and this will impact the accuracy of the VSA system.
Note also that a malfunctioning yaw sensor can cause electrical failures, wear, and damage to various parts of the VSA system.
So the next time you see the Check VSA System in your Acura, you might want to check the yaw sensor first.
2. A Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor
Another sensor that is important to the VSA system is the wheel speed sensor.
This sensor captures the rotational speed of the wheels of your vehicle.
The information is used by the VSA system to determine whether there’s any wheel that’s losing traction.
A faulty wheel speed sensor will either stop transmitting data or transmit inaccurate data. You will, therefore, see the warning message so you can take appropriate action.
3. ABS Module Issues
Issues with the ABS module can also trigger a warning message.
The module controls the performance of the entire ABS system, which is closely linked to the VSA system.
A damaged ABS module can also lead to electrical issues, which may result in Check VSA System in Acura.
4. Improper Wheel Alignment
This may not be an obvious issue, but it can also lead to the warning message.
Improperly aligned wheels significantly affect the steering response and the stability of your vehicle.
Note also that the VSA system hugely depends on accurate wheel-position data to work properly.
Have your Acura’s wheel alignment checked, especially if you have recently had impacts or driven off-road or on the road with many potholes.
5. Steering Angle Sensor
Issues I should have mentioned earlier, but yes, this is another sensor that could be giving your VSA system trouble.
The steering angle sensor detects deviations from the path you are telling your car to follow.
A faulty steering angle sensor can easily cause an accident, especially when navigating tight bends or driving on a slippery road.
The steering angle sensor may be damaged due to an electrical glitch, or you may have physically damaged it without knowing.
If you see the Check VSA System message and you have ruled out the above possible causes, have this sensor checked.
6. Faulty VSA Modulator
This modulator controls brake pressure when your VSA system is active. It plays a key role in the overall performance of the VSA system.
Therefore, if damaged, the VSA system will trigger the warning message. Be sure to check the modulator to rule out any possible issues with it.
7. Mismatched Tires
Having mismatched tires on your Acura is also a potential cause of the Check VSA System alert.
There must be consistent traction on all wheels for the VSA system to function as it should.
So make sure you are not using wheels with different wear levels, sizes, or tread patterns.
How to Fix and Reset Check VSA System on an Acura
There are several ways you can fix the Check VSA System Acura. Here are a few of them:
Have your vehicle checked by a certified technician:
You will notice that most of the possible causes of the Check VSA System in Acura are serious ones.
Therefore, unless you know exactly what to do, get a certified technician to inspect the car and fix any issue found.
You can also take your vehicle to any authorized Acura Service Center.
Align and calibrate your car as required:
Another possible fix is proper wheel alignment and calibration. Have a technician adjust the angles and ensure all the wheels are correctly aligned.
VSA Modulator replacement:
If you have established that the VSA modulator is what’s causing the warning message, have it replaced immediately with a new one.
Other possible fixes include changing the steering angle sensor, checking and replacing the wheel speed sensor, and replacing the yaw sensor if it is defective.
Additional Sources:
https://www.cars.com/articles/what-does-vsa-stand-for-434609/
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-yaw-rate-sensor
https://www.hella.com/techworld/za/Technical/Sensors-and-actuators/Check-change-ABS-sensor-4074/