ignition BMW X5 2002 E53 DSC System Workshop Manual
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DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC III)
All  of  the  familiar  braking  and  straight  line  traction  control  features  and  system  communi-
cation  carry  over  from  DSC  II.    Based  on  select  high/select  low  logic,  the  DSC  III  control
module  selects  a  vehicle  stabilizing  strategy  based  on  the  specific  input  signal  values  it  is
monitoring  at  the  moment.    For  all  DSC  strategies  this  begins  with  engine  intervention  to
reduce torque:
•For  the  750iL  this  is  handled  via  CAN  communication,  DSC  III  to  EML  to  minimize  the
throttle  angle  of  the  DK motors  (750iL).  For  the  740i/iL  and  540iA  this  is  handled  by
direct DSC III activation of the ADS II throttle housing.
• If additional torque reduction is necessary, DSC III informs DME over CAN to:
• Retard ignition timing
• Shut down the fuel injection to individual cylinders
DSC III monitors under/oversteer conditions through the following components:
• The driver’s desired steering angle - steering angle signal over CAN bus.
• Vehicle speed and speed differential at front wheels - wheel speed sensors
• Dynamic  forces  of  lateral  acceleration  and  yaw  placed  on  the  vehicle.  This  is  possible
with two new components which are discussed further on. The results are as follows: 
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DSC III COMPONENTS
HDC SWITCH
The  hill  decent  control  function  is  activated  by
pressing the HDC switch located in the center con-
sole. The LED will come on steady when the func-
tion is in standby and flash when HDC is regulating 
DSC SWITCH
The  system  is  active  whenever  the  ignition  is
switched on. When pressed, the switch provides a
momentary  12  volt  signal  to  the  DSC  III  control
module  to  switch  the  system  off  (DSC  indicator  in
cluster  illuminated.)    When  pressed  again,  the  sys-
tem  switches  back  on  (DSC  Indicator  in  cluster
goes off.)  
WHEEL SPEED SENSORS
• 2 wire Hall Effect Sensor - “Square wave generator”.
• 48 pulse incremental wheel incorporated in wheel bear-
ing  cover  for  contaminant  protection.  48  pulses  =  one
complete wheel revolution.
• Stabilized  8  volt  power  supply  to  hall  element  on  one
wire, ground path for sensor through second wire back
to  control  module.    Signal  is  generated  by  the  pulse
wheel affecting voltage flow through hall element creat-
ing a low of .75 and a high of 2.5 volts.
• Sensors identical to DSC II and ASC V systems.  
• Sensors provide immediate vehicle speed recognition. 
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DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis and troubleshooting of the DSC III system is carried out using the DIS Tester or
MoDiC. The DSC control module performs a self check every time the ignition is switched
on. The warning lamps for DSC and ABS will remain on during the self check. 
Any  faults  with  the  system  will  cause  the  lamps  to  remain  on  when  the  engine  is  started.
Faults  that  only  effect  the  DSC  operation  will  cause  the  DSC  warning  lamp  to  remain  on,
however ABS can still function. 
If the battery has been disconnected, the DSC warning lamp will remain on until the vehi-
cle receives road speed signals front the front wheel speed sensors and the steering angle
sensor can calculate the direction of travel.