Question: ASC System Service Required [Fixed] 

Is the “ASC System Service Required” alert illuminating your vehicle’s dash, leaving you confused? This alert tells you there are issues affecting the smooth operation of the Active Stability Control (ASC) system. And like other warning messages, it’s crucial to investigate your car to identify the cause.

A malfunctioning ASC system can impede your car’s traction and control. When this happens, it can be difficult to maneuver your vehicle, leading to an accident. So, what causes the ASC system to malfunction, and what can you do about it?

Herein, I explain why the active stability control system service required message appears on the dash and how to fix it. You’ll also discover common symptoms you might notice and the cost of resolving this problem.

But first, let’s see what this warning message means.

Answer: ASC System Service Required Meaning

The ASC system is a safety feature common in Mitsubishi that helps vehicles maintain traction and control. It’s a handy system that ensures your car is stable when accelerating, cornering, or braking in extreme conditions.

The system uses sensors to monitor the steering angle, yaw rate, and wheel speed. If it detects loss of control or stability, it regulates engine power and brakes to get the car back under control. Moreover, the ASC system prevents oversteering or understeering in high-speed maneuvers.

For the ASC system to maintain your car’s traction and control, it must combine the following functions:

  • Traction control system (TCS): The TCS detects loss of traction when a wheel loses grip and spins, especially on slippery surfaces. It then works to reduce or stop the rate of spinning. When the system detects a loss of traction, it reduces engine power or applies brakes to the spinning wheel to help regain traction.
  • Stability control system (electronic stability control): This function helps maintain vehicle stability to ensure your car doesn’t veer off the intended path. It helps in situations like high-speed maneuvers, slippery roads, or sudden changes in direction. When the system detects any of these issues, it reduces engine power or applies brakes to the affected wheels to maintain vehicle stability.
  • Anti-lock brake system (ABS): The ABS ensures wheels don’t lock in heavy braking situations. It restores traction to the tires when you apply brakes to avoid skidding. The system uses ABS sensors on the wheels to adjust brake pressure, preventing the wheels from locking up.

If one of these functions fails, the ASC system will malfunction and trigger the ASC service required warning notification. Besides problems with these functions, several other issues with your car can cause the ASC system to malfunction.

Answer: Symptoms of a Failing ASC System

Issues with the ASC system will trigger an “ASC System Service Required” notification on the instrument panel. You may also notice other symptoms, such as:

  • A loss of traction in slippery conditions
  • Unstable vehicle handling
  • Noticeable wheelspin on steep inclines
  • Unresponsive brakes
  • Car oversteering or understeering at higher speeds
  • Engine failing to start
  • Cruise control not working
  • 4WD light turning on
  • Vehicle going into limp mode

When you notice the above symptoms, don’t hesitate to get the ASC system fixed.

Question: What Causes ASC Service Required?

Below are the common causes of the ASC service required message:

Faulty Anti-Lock Brake System

The ABS consists of sensors, an ABS pump, and wiring. If one of these components is defective, the ABS may fail, leading to a system service required message.

Dirty or faulty sensors and damaged wiring are usually to blame. Hydraulic pump failure can result from fluid contamination or regular wear and tear.

Defective Steering Angle Sensor

The steering angle sensor lets the ASC system know the direction you want to steer your car. This sensor will detect the direction of the vehicle’s wheels. Then, the ASC system ensures the wheel direction matches the steering wheel angle.

Over time, this sensor can malfunction due to improper installation, faulty wiring, corrosion, or breakage due to a collision. A defective steering angle sensor may send incorrect data, causing the ASC system to fail.

Blown Fuse

The ASC is an electrical system with fuses to regulate current flow. And like other fuses in your car, a fuse related to the ASC system can blow out and prevent current flow. When this happens, the system will fail to maintain the vehicle’s traction and control.

Wheel Problems

The ASC system relies on properly aligned wheels and the same tire size to function. However, issues such as worn-out tires, misaligned wheels, or different-sized tires may cause the system to fail. These issues offset the steering angle and wheel speed sensors, leading to the transmission of unreliable data to the system.

Faulty Brake Pedal Switch

The brake pedal switch sends signals to the car’s onboard computers when you press the brake pedal. Depending on the vehicle, you may need to press the pedal when starting the engine. This switch lets the onboard computers know if you’ve pressed the pedal.

A defective brake pedal switch will cause engine starting problems. If the car starts, the ASC system may malfunction and turn on the ASC system service required message on the dash.

Weak Battery

The ASC system relies on a fully charged battery to operate correctly. If you have a discharged or weak battery, the ASC system may malfunction and trigger a warning message.

Answer: How to Fix ASC Service Required

When fixing problems with the ASC system, you must diagnose the root cause to know what you’re dealing with. Look for an OBD-II scanner to read the ASC system and check for fault codes. After figuring out the cause, you can fix the system service required alert as follows:

  • Charge or replace the battery: Allow your battery to charge or remove it and charge it in your garage. Ensure the terminals are clean and the connections are tight. If your battery fails to hold a charge, it might be too old or damaged. Consider replacing a bad car battery.
  • Replace blown fuses: Locate the fuse box and check the fuses responsible for the ASC system. If they appear broken or blown out, replace them.
  • Take your car for wheel alignment: Drive your car to a repair shop to have a professional perform wheel balancing and alignment. Then, replace worn-out wheels and inflate them as recommended.
  • Check the anti-lock brake system: Start with the ABS sensors to ensure they’re clean and functional. You can clean or replace them if necessary. Then, ensure the wiring and connections are in good condition. Check the hydraulic fluid condition and change it if it looks contaminated or discolored. A professional can help replace a damaged ABS pump.
  • Clean or replace the steering angle sensor: Locate this sensor in the steering column and inspect it for clogs or damage. Clean it with cotton swabs and an electronic cleaner. If you have a broken sensor, replace it.
  • Replace the brake pedal switch: Test this switch for continuity using a multimeter. A malfunctioning brake pedal switch’s reading will remain at 1 or OL. If that’s the case with this switch, replace it.

Answer: ASC Service Required Cost

The cost of the ASC service required varies depending on the parts you’re repairing or replacing. You can fix issues like charging a weak battery or cleaning the sensors at no cost. If the fuses are to blame, you may spend less than $100 to replace them.

A complete wheel alignment service cost is between $90 and $170. If you need tire replacement, expect to pay more for the tire and labor costs.

The replacement cost of a damaged brake pedal switch is between $70 and $300, including labor costs. If the wheel sensors are faulty, you’ll need to pay less than $500 to replace them. If the entire ABS control needs replacing, expect to pay between $800 and $950 to have it replaced.

ASC system service required meaning

Final Thoughts

The ASC system service required alert on your vehicle’s dash indicates you have a malfunctioning ASC system. When this system fails, your car will lose stability and control, leading to an accident. If you encounter this issue, use your OBD-II scanner to determine the cause.

Thankfully, you can fix some ASC system problems at home cheaply or at no cost. However, if your system malfunctions due to defective sensors or misaligned wheels, hire a specialist to do the job.

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