To start with, I have a 2002 Acura TL Type s with about 162k miles. About a 2 months ago, my ABS, VSA and /!\ lights would turn on and off intermittently which happened whenever I started moving. For days, the light would stay off, and other times, they'd stay on. for over a month now, all three of the lights have been stuck on--including directly after startup. I recently went to the dealership to have fix my airbag recall and while I was there I asked them to run my codes. I had and 15-3 OPDS sensor code (which is a different story), but a few ABS codes.

The codes are as follows:
51-1 (ABS pump motor failure)
53-01 (ABS pump motor relay short circuit)
72-1 (modulator unit failure)
83-1 (ECM/PCM relation failure)
94-1 (TCS control valve sensor failure)

Now, I know that these codes aren't all true, and I've tried looking at other forums to diagnose the problem, but I can't find a similar situation. I've cleaned my front wheel speed sensors (which weren't dirty in the least), I've check all of my fuses, I've grabbed an extra ABS pump motor relay from another TL and nothing seems to work. If anybody has had similar problems or could point me in the right direction, it would be a great help

 

never trust wheel speed sensors- they go bad inside and crack wires

 

Mine is 2009 TL with 51k miles. The vsa module on eBay is 195 bucks. Funny that the picture shoes it still in the car. Now I know where it is and generally what it does. Calling Acura is bit frustrating to say the least. They said they have me a case # and hen the next guy said they hadn't assigned the case to a case manager. Anyways, the abs and vsa systems obviously have issues at Honda and Acura. What's interesting is that it saves lives. They have issues. The air bag inflator recall doesn't have the parts at the dealer I was at. I'm wondering what the statistics say about the # of vsa and abs systems that are going out? I sense a recall coming. I'm not savvy enough to understand how to really effect Acura or Honda. How do things get recalled in the first place? Who outs pressure on Honda and Acura?

 

the USA Government Dept of Transportation is in charge of recalls!
After enough consumer complaints of problems leading to injury accidents or death- the product maker is tasked with finding a solution,
then the govt tracks every VIN affected for compliance.

Not unusual for a dealer to be out of the recall parts, the place making them is playing catch-up as an order for 500,000
or 5 million right away is more difficult than a steady order for 5000 a week- numbers for example only

Acura Customer Care- You start with a phone answering person who takes your name and basic complaint, dont worry about what yada-yada denials they may state - they have zero authority to do any more than read from The Book of NO! a customer service guide~
It goes in a pile to be assigned a case number

A rep who handles your part of the country picks it from the file pile- becoming its Case Manager, calls the dealer for their side of the story - if needed- and they call you.

Ask for what you want! If the problem is that dealer cant figure out issue- resolution is what you need!
Corp has info on problems based on scattered reports.. Those may not have made it to the mechanics hands in the form of TSB Technical Service Bulletins- those are shared thru the dealer network in order to speed diagnosis of weird probs.
Once someone figures it out- Maker doesnt get billed for warranty diagnosis- its right there on the paper--read it and repair!

I have seen expert mechanics brought in from corp headquarters to find issues with cars! - this was back in the day

 

ooops edit time limit exceeded
I think its the NTSB that oversees recalls, or is it the NHTSA? one of you will figure it out.
go to the .gov website and file your problem complaint, get the ball rolling~

 

I took the car to another dealer, the dealer where I bought the car new. They were awesome. They found the same code, 81-1 but it was for the Shawd control unit, not the vsa and abs module. The cost to replace that is $687 which is a lot better than 2100 bucks. The bonus is that all the vsa, abs, and indicator lights are completely off. What a difference between dealers. So had I replaced the vsa module at mile high Honda and paid 2100 bucks, it would not have done a thing. The Shawd control unit is in the back of the car. I still haven't researched what that does exactly. Anyways, for now, I'm really happy. Thank You Pikes Peak Acura! I did arrange for the service to be free and brought my receipt with me. I also found out that every dealer is distinct and separate. They don't have a data base of what is done on my car at different dealerships. It's like a doctor's office. They all just keep their own records. The whole thing is rather enlightening. It was worth the hour drive.

 

Your 2002 TL has SH-AWD?

 

It's a 2009TL.

 

LOL that makes sense... I confused you with the OP. I'm glad you got your problem fixed!

 

My 2002 Type S has the same lights on. Can you report back how you solved this problem?

 

I have no idea. I still have the car at 88k miles now and it’s burning oil at about 1 1/2 quarts every 2000miles which is a real bummer. I wish I could help but only the dealer would know at this point. I would recommend that you unhook the battery completely and then hook it back up. That has worked for me on the emission light.

 

I’ll try that. Thank you for your help!