brake sensor BMW X5 2002 E53 DSC System Workshop Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject Page
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC III) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Corner Braking Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Dynamic Braking System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
DSC New Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
DSC New Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Control Module Hydraulic Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Rotation Rate/Transverse Acceleration Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Brake Pressure Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
DSC III Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Steering Angle Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Brake Fluid Level Warning Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

3
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM OVERVIEW (ASC)
THEORY OF TRACTION CONTROL
Traction Control Systems are referred to as Automatic Stability Control (ASC), Automatic
Stability + Traction Control (ASC+T), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) or All Season Traction
(marketing term). The traction control system has gone through several changes since its
introduction in Model Year 1988. While each new version offered new innovations, the prin-
ciple of traction control remains the same for any of these versions.
The link between the vehicle and its driving environment is established by the frictional con-
tact between the tires and the road surface. The ability to control the vehicle while driving,
is lost as a result of excessive wheel spin or slip if either rear tire exceeds its ability to:
• Maintain traction
• Accept side forces to maintain directional control (lateral locating forces)
The primary function of the traction control system is to maintain traction and stability of the
vehicle regardless of the road surface condition. This is achieved by reducing the drive
torque applied to the rear wheels or pulsing the rear wheel brakes to eliminate wheel slip
depending on the version of traction control installed.
The electronics for traction control operation are incorporated in the ABS control module
and share many of the same components and sensors. The module determines the speed
of the vehicle through a calculated average of the four wheel speed sensor inputs. Wheel
slip/spin is then recognized by comparing the speed of the driven wheels to the front
wheels.
A critical slip ratio of greater than 5% between the wheels will cause the traction control regu-
lation to begin. This slip ratio is established when the control module detects a wheel speed
difference of 2 MPH or higher.

10
ELECTRONIC BRAKE PROPORTIONING (EBV)
Electronic brake proportioning allows the DSC system to adjust the braking force to the rear
wheels based on the vehicle’s loading to maximize the braking force at all wheels.
The DSC control module monitors the wheel speed sensors inputs when the brakes are
applied, for activation of this feature. The control module compares the speed at which the
front and rear axles are slowing down to determine vehicle loading.
If the rear axle is slowing at a similar rate to the front, it indicates that the vehicle is loaded
and more braking force can be applied to the rear calipers to slow and stop the vehicle.
If the decel rate of the rear axle is much less than the front, the vehicle is lightly loaded and
less force can be applied to the rear. If the same force were applied, then the vehicle could
become unstable.
OPERATION
The values for the decel rate are programmed in the DSC control module. Equal force will
be applied to the front and rear axles until the threshold values are exceeded. At this point,
the DSC control module will cycle the inlet valves at the rear calipers to reduce the braking
force on the rear axle.

11
DYNAMIC BRAKING SYSTEM
The dynamic braking system is designed to enhance the braking control of the DSC for the
driver of the vehicle. The dynamic braking control and maximum braking control are func-
tions that are programmed into the control electronics of the DSC with no additional hard-
ware changes.
DYNAMIC BRAKING CONTROL (DBC)
The DBC function is designed to provide the maximum braking force available during rapid
(panic) braking situations. The DSC control module looks at the inputs from the brake pedal
switch and the signal from the brake pressure sensor on the master cylinder. The criteria
for activation of DBC is how rapidly is the brake pressure built up with the brake pedal
depressed. The total criteria required for DBC activation includes:
• Brake switch ON
• Brake pressure build up > threshold value
• Vehicle road speed > 5MPH
• Vehicle not in reverse
• Not all wheels in ABS regulation
If the threshold for DBC activation is achieved, the DSC control module will activate a pres-
sure build up regulation phase through the hydraulic unit. The pressure at all wheels is
increased up to the ABS regulation point. This occurs even if the driver does not achieve
the ABS regulation point with the pedal.
The rear axle brakes are controlled with select-low regulation and the front axle brakes are
controlled individually. ABS regulation will continue until the driver releases the pedal and
the pressure in the master cylinder drops below the threshold value stored in the DSC con-
trol module.
MAXIMUM BRAKE CONTROL (MBC)
The MBC function is also designed to enhance a driver initiated braking procedure. The
MBC will build up the pressure in the rear brake circuit when the front brakes are already in
an ABS regulation cycle. The additional braking pressure at the rear wheels will shorten the
stopping distance. The following criteria must be met before the DSC control module will
activate MBC:
• Both front wheel brakes in ABS regulation
• Vehicle speed > 5 MPH
• Vehicle not in reverse
• DBC and pressure sensor initialization test OK
• Rear wheels not in ABS regulation

15
DSC - NEW FEATURE
TRACTION CONTROL
The traction control feature of the DSC III on the X5 cannot be switched OFF with the DSC
switch. Pressing the button will only switch off the dynamic stability control function of the
DSC.
The traction control feature is needed at all times to provide anti-spin control especially
when driving the vehicle off road. The DSC warning lamp in the instrument cluster will still
come on when the system is switched off manually or there is a fault in the system.
Off road traction control or HDC regulation places an additional load on the brakes. To pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and rotors, the temperature of the rotors is calculated over
time from the road speed and amount of brake application. If the temperature of one or
more rotors goes above 600o
C, the traction control or HDC function for that wheel will be
cancelled temporarily. Once the temperature of the rotor goes below 500o
C, the traction
application will be re-activated.
The normal braking function (including ABS) is always active at any temperatures.
DSC - NEW FEATURE
OFF-ROAD ABS Control Module Programming
The programming for ABS regulation have changed to allow a higher threshold for ABS reg-
ulation when driving off-road in loose gravel or dirt. A locked wheel is more effective in slow-
ing or stopping the vehicle because of the wedge that is built up in front of the tire.
The programming in the DSC control module allows one or both front wheel(s) to lock up
to a speed of 12 MPH as long as the vehicle is traveling straight ahead. If the DSC control
module receives a signal from the steering angle sensor indicating a turn, ABS regulation
will activate to prevent the lock and allow the vehicle to be steered.

20
BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR
A brake pressure sensor is installed in the hydraulic unit to determine the degree of pres-
sure build-up for Dynamic Brake Control. It is installed in the front axle brake circuit.
The sensor receives its power supply from the DSC control module and produces a linear
voltage input signal ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 volts depending on how hard the brakes are
applied.