BMW X5 2001 E53 DSC System Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: BMW, Model Year: 2001, Model line: X5, Model: BMW X5 2001 E53Pages: 24, PDF Size: 1.77 MB
Page 21 of 24

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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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STEERING ANGLE SENSOR
The Steering angle sensor is mounted at the
bottom of the steering spindle (in front of the
flex coupling).
The sensor is equipped with a processor
and is directly linked to the CAN bus to com-
municate with the DSC III module.
The sensor still utilizes two potentiometers to determine the steering angle and the rate of
steering. These are the raw signals the CAN Bus microprocessor utilizes to create the steer-
ing angle signal for broadcast on the CAN bus.
The sensor requires calibration after repairs to the steering or suspension system (found in
DIS Service Functions). Once the calibration is completed the sensor now also sends an
identification number over the CAN bus to the DSC III module. The ID provides confirma-
tion in the DSC module that the steering angle sensor is properly calibrated.
If the ID differs due to component swapping it will not be possible to enter the DSC system
for diagnosis. The DIS will request that the steering angle sensor be recalibrated using the
service functions. Once complete a new ID number is generated and the DSC III control
module and Steering angle sensor are properly mated.
The DSC III logic checks the plausibility of the steering angle sensor against the other DSC
III inputs (front wheel speeds, rotation and lateral acceleration sensors). If battery voltage
is interrupted, the current steering wheel rotation is recalculated by the DSC module eval-
uating the front wheel speeds.
Replacement steering angle sensors must be ZCS coded when installed in the vehicle prior
to the calibration procedure.
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Page 23 of 24

BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WARNING SWITCH
A new fluid level switch is incorporated into the reservoir cap.
• With sufficient fluid level the reed contact is closed.
• When level drops below allowable limits, switch opens.
Since the normal position is closed, this circuit is monitored
for shorts to + and ground.
The LCM constantly monitors the input. If the ground signal is momentary,the LCM sig-
nals the Instrument cluster of the condition. The instrument cluster then informs the DSC
III control module over the CAN bus. If the signal is received just prior to the activation of
the charge pump, the charge pump activation is delayed.
If the signal is present for more then 25 seconds, the LCM issues two I BUS message for
the Instrument Cluster:
1. Post “Brake Fluid Level” in the Matrix display
2. Notify the DSC III via CAN that the Fluid level has been low for more than 25 seconds.
The DSC III control module immediately switches DSC III functions off and continuously illu-
minates the DSC indicator in the cluster.
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Page 24 of 24

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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.