csj0952

Has anyone noticed that sometimes when your wheels start spinning and the VSA kicks in, it sometimes clunks or clicks?

Is this normal?

cibs

... i've never experienced anything like that... only thing i could think of that makes that noise is ABS kicking in, but the VSA is totally silent when it kicks in...


are you sure you're not talking about your ABS ?

csj0952

My foot isn't on the brake pad. It's on the accelerator...

This car is brand new 2500 miles on it, automatic. The car is in auto, not sport shift, when it happens. I haven't tried it out to see if it is a transmission thing with only the automatic mode.....

larsenvega

I have the exact same thing happening to me up here in Alaska. Whenever I accelerate from a stop sign, I hear the clunking sound come from the front end when the VSC engages. It doesn't sound good, so I was wondering the same question. My TSX has 2,200 miles on it, and is a 6 MT. Can anyone enlighten us as to what this sound is?

larsenvega

Sorry, meant VSA, not VSC...

csj0952

I agree, it happens when you first start from a stop.

larsenvega

And only when on ice or hard-packed snow...

PWPTSX

the only time i've experience VSA is when i was driving on NJ turnpike @ 80mph while it's raining crazy outside, the road are full of water spots......donno about the click sound because i didn't hear it, but i can certainly feel the VSA thou.......

larsenvega

My VSA engages frequently while going at higher speeds, but I only hear this sound when taking off from a stand-still (i.e. Stop sign/light, etc.).

jimbo3123

I've heard the same clunking sound with VSA too lately. (I got my TSX this summer, and this is the first time I've driven much on snow and ice)

I wondered if it was normal.

ryanhook

That's what mine does too... it's normal.

ChrismanTSX

Interesting... is this a 5AT only noise? I haven't noticed any clonking noise when the VSA engages, and it engages very, very frequently these days (hovering around 0F, side streets are snow/ice covered). Never heard that noise: the only evidence that VSA is working is that the light comes on, and I lose my power...

larsenvega

The next time you're driving your TSX, try to make the wheels slip when accelerating on ice from a stop. Mine is a 6MT, and I'm still hearing it. If you don't hear it, I'll have reason to worry. Let me know. Thanks!

ChrismanTSX

Will check that tomorrow morning... does it only do that when cold, when you first start, or is that pretty much every time you give it a go?

poltergeist

VSA can pulse the brake calipers individually to slow a slipping wheel, as well as to balance the veh. in an oversteer/understeer situation. You do not need to be applying the brakes. What you're hearing is the VSA/ABS modulator functioning.

ChrismanTSX

That's possible. The ABS pulsing can sometimes be heard... but mine doesn't clunk...

larsenvega

Every time the wheels slip while coming from a dead stop, regardless of whether the car is warm or not. I'm interested to see if you get the same results. Anybody else that lives in a snowy area is free to try as well and report back with your results! Thanks!

curls

Maybe it's wheel-hop that happens just before the VSA kicks in?

dwest1023

Yes it is Normal.

OhNoItsMe

Yes, it is normal. As a matter of a fact. The dealership salesman made sure to inform me of the fact that when the VSA kicks in, it does not make the most pleasant sounds.

I've have had kick in when taking off from a stand still on ice and it makes the clunking and clicking sounds you've mentioned. If the sales guy had not told me about it, I would have been a little freaked out by the sounds.

csj0952

I can also feel it when it clunks. It's like the clutch slips or a piece of snow gets kicked up into the engine.....

cibs

weird... i've had VSA kick in all the time, especially now with all the snow around, i definitely take advantage of the fact that I have a car with VSA and have intentionally take turns a bit too fast to have it kick in... and for me the only evidence has been the flashing light on my dash and the above stated loss of power

cibs

seeing as so many other people say they have it too, i guess it's normal then

larsenvega

Good stuff guys...thanks for putting my paranoia to rest!

Ellas9

That, I believe, is the traction control (not the same as the VSA but built into the same system). It is doing what is necessary to slow the acceleration down so the wheels spins less. I believe this includes reducing the throttle opening and perhaps using the front brakes in a pulsating fashion.

Lightus

You are correct.

TheMirror

2005 5AT, I get the noise too. Traction control.

Tsx6363

i experienced that, i got scared.. but it was just snow on the tires... your tires have poor traction so when you start from a stop you kinda peel out due to the lack of traction and the VSA thinks you're losing control