How To Fix Dsc System Fault

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

"DSC System Fault" warning

Thread starter PaulCarr
Start date Aug 27, 2014

I've started getting the "DSC System Fault" message and warning light intermittently. Sometimes it appears while I'm driving, sometimes on startup. If I turn everything off and restart the car it sometimes clears. It seems to be more frequent when it is raining - and without DSC (IE: Traction control) the car is a bit lairy in the wet, especially as I need to get the tyres replaced anyway (had to wait for payday on that one).

Chelmsford Carriage Company stuck her on diagnostic but typically the light stayed resolutely off and no fault was found. They've referred me to an auto electrical specialist but before I part with yet more of my hard-earned I wondered if anyone here had similar experience and/or ideas?

Thanks all, Paul

Theres a lot of FM's have or had that problem, does the ABS FAULT also appear? If so it points to a wheel speed sensor. You need a Jag Indy or someone with Mongoose to interrogate the ABS system.

Common fault for DSC errors is a fault on the ABS sensors. The front ones are usually the problem and it is the loom rather than the sensor. Check for wear/damage to the loom. Can often trigger on full lock as this stretches the cable most

I'd like to say "this is the problem" but unfortunately I can't, I have the same problem with my 2005MY XKR, after a few puddles I also got the DSC fault message without the ABS lamp. After key out the ignition and restart the problem has not been back, however I have to admit I don't drive her in the rain, unless I get caught out whilst out & about. Previous to the fault I serviced the car inc: the WSS were removed & cleaned but that was 2 months prior to the DSC fault. Looks to be water ingress related but where & how it affects the DSC I'm still not sure?
I have the SDD software & Mongoose but this has revealed nothing stored in the chassis module that relates to DSC. If you do find the cause, I also would be interested to know what the fault is or........was! TS

Getting the fault on start-up can point to low battery voltage - no harm in getting it checked.

Getting the fault on start-up can point to low battery voltage - no harm in getting it checked.

Was not the case for me....I had driven about 50mile stopped for an hour or so, set off again & then 5miles in; I got the DSC fault.
I have since driven another 120miles (dry weather) and the message has not returned. TS

had this fault twice this week, dsc not avail and the amber looking handbrake warning light. each time on startup and each time has cleared on restart!!

AIUI, when you turn the car on it runs through its power on diagnostics and if it determines there's not sufficient charge in the battery to check the ABS/DSC is pops up the message rather than risk leaving you with inadequate voltage to start the engine, hence people's confusion when they say "the car starts perfectly so the battery must be okay".

Paul, try a cost free method first as it worked for me. Try cleaning the wheel sensors themselves, it sometimes rectifies the fault. Plenty of links online on how to clean/get access to wheel sensors. It's normally the front ones.

Cheers all. For no apparent reason it has stayed off for 4 days come rain or shine, so it really is THE most intermittent of faults. This after it appeared and disappeared throughout the BH weekend, especially in the rain (although that may be a red herring as it was a pretty wet weekend). Wheel sensors have to be a prime suspect as CCC had a great deal of difficulty removing one of my rears for the brake pad change the week before and applied a bit of brute-force-and-ignorance in the end, so a displaced/loose sensor would be a distinct possibility. She goes in on Monday to have further diagnostics and I'll report back! Paul