mw_acura

We have a certified pre-owned 2002 TL Type-S with 85,000+ miles. The problem started a few months ago.

Driving along at 70mph or so, the front right tire seemed to "slip" or "lock up" and the VSA light came on. It was scary and it kept happening intermittently. It started happening more and more often so we took it into the dealer the first time when they adjusted the yaw rate sensor.

The "slipping"/"locking" started up again, so they replaced the yaw rate sensor a few weeks ago. This was a stab in the dark for them, the said to go for the "cheaper sensor" first - yeah, $800 later, ouch.

Well the front right wheel "slipped" again while I was braking the other day and the VSA light came on again.

I'm happy to drive without VSA (it hasn't rained around here in months) for a while, I can't imagine how expensive replacing the VSA sensor will be this time.

So what's going on here? Am I the only one who's ever had to replace these sensors? Is it even a sensor problem?

Thanks for your help.

mw

01tl4tl

Was there any brake work done recently- like just before this happened?
There is a speed sensor and a ring it reads off of behind the front brakes- sometimes that gets its cord pulled out or corrodes
Look there before stabbing wildly- and call Acura care about dealers crazed ideas and charges for 800$ fixes that wern't, and failure to consult service bulletins or basic system checks

On another thought- the VSA actually only works on accelleration to 15 mph, and it works by applying and releasing the brake on one side- just like ABS would
So when you are braking and you say wheel slip- is it brake application ? not spinning the tire? or could it be something else

register your car at www.acura.com owner experience, by VIN make a free account- it knows all the warranty history on the car
You could have odd initial signs of trans failure- its warranty dont worry
see if prior trans replacements on record

mw_acura

Thanks so much for your reply.

Nope, no brake work.

The one time it happened while braking there may have been some small pebbles, so it's possible the tire spun a bit, and VSA light went on then back off immediately (as I think it's supposed to work).

Mostly it happens while driving fast (like 50 to 70 mph on the highway) and the sudden right front "locking" is so scary.

Thanks for the Acura registration info, I'll do that right away.

mw

01tl4tl

Under braking the ABS may activate if there was signifigant wheel speed differance in the fronts side to side- pebbles? I dont think so
The braked pedal pulsates when ABS is workin gtoo- thats the dead giveaway there- thump thump thump

The TCS is that what you call the VSA? I have an 01 so yours may be different, just trying to work thru the situation

When really odd things happen- it has sometimes been the transmission failing
If you suddenly go into 2nd gear by itself on the freeway or you get a flashing D5 light or it feels like slipping, like a bad clutch would---those are big signs

mw_acura

Thanks again. The slipping feels kind of clutch-like but it's only the front right side.

Looking back over the service info notes:

Visit 1:
"Verified concern and found VSA codes 25-1, 26-1, 61-1, 64-1. Cleared codes and 25-1 reappeared diagnosed code thru flow chart and concluded that wiring was OK. There are now 3 possibilities: recalibration, yaw rate sensor, control unit ..."

2nd Visit:
"Same code as last time. Already diagnosed. Replaced yaw rate sensor as prescribed in troubleshooting chart. If code reappears control unit is suspect."

If it really is just VSA I feel like I can live without it. But if it's something worse like transmission, I feel like they won't just say that until they replace the "control unit" first and see the same problem continue.

mw

ChrisQ1980

That isn't true. You are thinking of TCS. VSA works at all speeds on the TL-S

fsttyms1

01tl4tl

ahh did i forget my disclaimer of I drive an 01 and thats all I know about ooops