If you have a Honda Acura and the VSA light comes on with a yellow exclamation (!) and triangle, this has to do with the driving stability.
There is a switch to turn on or off the VSA system; if it does not work, there is an internal error with the VSA system.
It is normal for the VSA system to come on when there are bad driving conditions, but if it stays on all the time and the driving conditions are good, there is an issue.
For example, if it is raining, the system can come on to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle.
If the weather is nice and the road conditions are good, the light should not stay on.
What is Honda VSA Light?
VSA stands for Vehicle Stability Assist and is a system to help the driver control the car in less than ideal conditions.
Most modern vehicles have built-in driving assist controls that help when the roads conditions are not good.
When operating normally, the light will come on temporarily to show it is working and go off.
How to Turn Off the VSA Light?
The most common way to turn off the VSA light in a Honda is to use the switch.
For example, the Honda Acura has a switch usually located on the left of the steering wheel that turns off the VSA system.
If the switch does not work to turn off the light, there is an issue in the VSA system, and the VSA module will need to be reset and cleared.
How to Reset and Clear the VSA Light?
If there is an error in the system, an OBDII code reader with ABS will be needed to read the codes and reset or clear the error.
There are many Honda OBDII scan tools available, but not all will have ABS built in to scan the VSA system modules.
Read here for more on types of ABS-compatible OBDII scan tools.
If you do not have the money to purchase a scan tool with ABS compatibility, many automotive stores will do a scan and do a reset for free.
A good scan tool will also have a procedure to reset the steering angle switch, which can cause issues when unaligned.
5 Causes and Fixes for Honda VSA Light That Will Not Shut Off
- Blown Fuse
- Steering Angle Switch
- Put the Honda in park and turn the engine ON.
- Turn the steering wheel to the left until full lock.
- Turn the steering wheel to the right to full lock.
- Turn the steering wheel to the center (Wheels Straight).
- Turn engine off, then restart.
- Drive the Honda, and the light should go off after roughly 20-30 feet.
- Wheel Speed Sensor
- ABS VSA module
- Wiring
A blown fuse in the VSA circuit will cause problems.
There are often two fuses for the VSA, including one under the dashboard and one in the engine compartment.
For example, a 2008-2012 Honda accord has a 7.5 Amp VSA Fuse under the dashboard labeled #6.
The engine fuse box also has two fuses for the VSA Module called 2.2 and 2.3.
The VSA fuses can change depending on the Honda make and the year and may need to be researched to find out which it is.
Honda’s commonly have a steering angle switch built into the steering wheel.
The switch relays information to the module, which the computer uses to maintain stability.
There is a reset procedure for the steering angle switch, which usually requires turning the wheel all the way to the left, then right, and back to the center.
How To Realign a Honda Steering Angle Sensor
In some cases, they can go bad and need to be replaced.
If one goes bad, one can be bought at an auto parts store or online at Amazon or eBay.
Each wheel has a speed sensor that relays information back to the computer on speed and driving conditions.
If a wheel sensor goes bad, the computer will get bad data and give an error.
The ABS VSA Modulator is another component that is a part of the VSA system.
While ABS VSA Modulators usually don’t fail, they can occasionally cause issues.
If you have checked all other parts of the VSA system, the Modulator may be the problem.
Bad wiring or loose connections can cause many issues.
For example, a loose connection n a wheel speed sensor can cause the same error as a bad sensor.
Summary
If you have a Honda and the VSA light comes on, it may be normal, depending on the driving conditions.
If the driving conditions are good and the light does not go off, there may be a problem in the system.
Be sure to see if the light goes off by pressing the VSA switch.
If the light does not go off, an OBDII scan tool with ABS built-in will be needed to scan for codes.
Most good scan tools can also clear and reset the light if needed.
Have you had issues with a VSA light in a Honda? Let us know your thoughts below.
2005 Acura MDX. Good road conditions. All of a sudden there is a slight grinding noise, slight braking, slight pull to the right. Lasts about 5 seconds. Feels like I hit a patch of ice. VSA light comes on. Really gets my heartbeat up! It happens at any speed although I have not gone over 55 since it started. Even happened in a parking lot going very slowly searching for a parking spot-not using brakes, just coasting. Dealership is over an hour away and I can’t afford them anyway. Social Security budget. All started after the battery died. Battery died 3 times in one week then it was fine. Battery 18 months old and registered 98% at Auto Zone. Not sure if the VSA has any relationship to the battery experience. Not concerned about the VSA light but I’m real concerned about the safety and worried about going on the highway.