ASC System Service Required (Meaning, Causes & How to Fix)

Did you see the ASC system Service Required light on your dashboard, and you are wondering what it means, what made it come on, and how to fix it? If you are in this situation, you are on the right page because we have the answers you need.

Currently, most vehicles we use have a different fancy system that serves as protection, ensuring the vehicle’s stability. The ASC ensures that traction control works together with stability control to maintain traction and vehicle control.

Like every other system, the technology has some restrictions and can not help retain the vehicle control and traction.

The automatic stability control system service displays the ASC system service required message on the dashboard to indicate that the system is disabled or has a fault.

Read on to know more about the ASC system service required message and how to fix it.

What Does ASC System Service Required Mean?

The ASC system Service Required light in cars means that there is a problem with the vehicle’s stability, traction, ABS, or 4WD. It could also mean that they are all disabled.

The ASC system incorporates 3 objectives:

Stability Control
Traction Control
Anti-lock Brake system.

The ASC observes input such as the brake pressure and wheel speed and modifies engine power properly when you detect loss of traction.

For Most cars, the ASC ensures your vehicle has enough control and traction for any situation. For example, the ASC enables you to be steady in slippery circumstances like snow or rain.

You’ll notice when your traction control kicks in since the ASC light blinks on your panel. This is because the ASC light implies an unsafe quantity of wheel slip, meaning you need to slow down.

Commonly, a problem that activates the Automatic stability control light is a defective Anti-lock Braking system wheel speed sensor. Other possible problems that are unlikely to occur comprise a blown fuse, faulty steering angle sensor, or defective ABS pump.

When the ASC light is on, remember that the ABS capability can be switched off or reduced till it is fixed.
The service required light can imply that one of your abs wheel speed sensors is faulty.
The wires that pass through the ABS sensor to the wheel hub can be broken or corroded. This is possible when you reside in regions with severe winter since a lot of salt will be applied on these roads.
the ASC system service required light for some vehicles implies that the ABS, stability,4WD, and traction are all in a bad state.

Also Read: Traction Control Light Won’t Turn Off? (Causes & How to Fix)

Main Functions Of the ASC System

Whenever you discover a loss of traction, the ASC observes inputs like the brake stress and wheel speed and modifies motor power properly.

Whatever the case, ASC on vehicles ensures that your vehicle has sufficient control and traction. So even in conditions like snow or rain, it helps to protect you.

As you know, when traction control happens, the ASC light flashes on the panel. The flashlight of the ASC means that the wheel slips are dangerous, meaning you need to slow down.

The system would be able to start regardless of how the vehicle was driven. The driving wheels are braked individually until the two wheels have excellent traction if the acceleration removal is not enough.

What Causes the ASC System Service Required Light to Come On

ASC light could initiate systematically or if your car is not preserved appropriately.

In some situations, a service light could be repaired by turning off and turning on the car.

Some of the most popular problems that initiate the ASC notification light of the Mitsubishi are:

Electrical short
Faulty steering wheel angle sensor
Faulty brake light button
Blown fuse( check brake, ETACS fuse, and ABS)
Defective ABS wheel speed sensors
Misaligned suspension
Defective ETACS brake control module.

1. Electrical Short

Electrical short like the brake light bulb difficulty, though not related, can trigger the ASC alarm messages. The reason for this could be because aftermarket LED bulbs that have wrong resistance or corroded connectors.

A blown-up brake light fuse would have a similar outcome.

2. ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

The ABS sensor problem gives data on the ASC computer wheel speed. It has four sensors, each of which is located at the wheel.

These sensors at any time can get faulty; it would be wise to examine them for loose connectors or damaged wiring.

Sometimes, when you pass through snow or deep water, it can distort the readings of the sensor, but this goes away immediately most times.

3. Brake Pedal Button

Different onboard computers make use of a brake pedal button signal to deduce if you press your brake pedal.

Many cars do not let drivers initiate the engine unless you press the brake pedal; a defective button will result in non-starting problems. And even when you can initiate the engine, it will activate the ASC alarm message.

4. Wheel Size/Misalignment

Unevenly worn or misaligned tires, various sizes of tires can differ in wheel spin speeds or neutralize the steering wheel angle sensor.

As a result of implausible readings provided by the ABS or steering wheel sensor, the ASC computer tends to conduct incorrect calculations.

This will then deactivate the 4WD system if it’s fitted to avoid damage.

Though the ASC system does not affect the car’s operation, it’s a good safety measure, particularly during unsafe situations.

If the warning light is initiated and refuses to go off, visit the dealer or a mechanic you can count on with your vehicle to have them analyze the issue.

Also Read: Service Stability System (Meaning, Causes & Solution)

Symptoms Of A Bad ASC System

If the automatic stability control does not operate adequately, it disables the traction control safety component. Control over your vehicle, especially in bad weather conditions, becomes complicated to retain.

The ASC system service required warning light could be triggered on the dash, and the TCS ( traction controller) can stay off or on all the time. The major symptoms include;

1. Non-Working ABS System

The ASC system required message could be associated with loss of ABS. If the ABS and traction are components of a single module, ABS failure can happen.

The braking ability can be lowered safely; when stopping, extra stress on its brake pedal might be essential, and loss of traction and the possibility of hydroplaning is higher.

Most times, it’s one or more cables to the sensors. Whenever the sensors are tainted with metal strings or trash, the most common ABS issue formulate. When the sensor wiring is cracked, and there’s no intermittent or continuity, dismissal occurs.

2. Traction Light Permanently On

For some vehicles, the TCS( traction control system)button has been contained to allow drivers to disable and enable traction.

To prevent wheel spin and loss of traction, this can be essential. If the traction control module fails or becomes faulty, the traction control can be kept on while the switch is off.

You might also be having difficulty switching the traction control off. Although this could be a sign of a faulty traction control module, it also might mean that the traction control switch does not function properly and needs to be replaced. Again, it is essential to realize this.

3. Wheels Braking Traction

If the module traction control fails or goes wrong, it could be difficult to maintain control in braking conditions such as rain or snow if the weather is drastic.

The ABS and the TCS function jointly to maintain control in hydroplaning.

Most times, a car doesn’t have a sufficient length of hydroplane that will get the TCS to kick in. Therefore, if the TCS doesn’t operate appropriately, it will not assist you in retaining control of your vehicle during hydroplaning.

4. Engine In Limp Modes

A limp mode is simply a transmission and motor safety function. The car enters a limp mode when the transmission or motor unit identifies an incorrect transmission or engine parameter.

It commonly cuts off the power and hinders the RPM of the motor to move the car to a stop without damaging the car.

How To Fix ASC System Service Required Warning?

There are several primary things you can perform whenever the service is needed. A faulty ABS speed sensor is one major problem that triggers ASC light in a car.

The others include a faulty angle sensor, blown fuse, and damaged ABS pump. In addition, various onboard computers use a sign from the brake pedal to know if you’ve pressed the brake pedal.

Since most vehicles hinder the driver from starting the vehicle unless you press the brake pedal, a faulty switch will result in a non-start issue. And if it starts, the warning message still gets to be triggered.

In addition, unevenly worn or misaligned tires can imbalance the wheel spin velocity differential or the wheel angle sensor.

Check out this video for more tips on how to troubleshoot the ASC system service required warning

Is It Safe To Drive With Faulty ASC System?

When you drive, and the ASC System service required light comes up, the ABS is not functioning properly. As a result, the ABS might not function if you need to stop for an emergency.

The brakes will continue working; however, the vehicle cannot withstand heavy braking. This is a disaster, and you must immediately stop driving when both the brake system light and the ABS light come on.

Cost Fixing the ASC System

The regular cost for changing the ABS control module is about US$897-US$946. For a lot of vehicles, the general price is over US$900.

You can acquire a used module for a lesser price. You can replace the wheel sensors for about $500. Slight issues like bad wire connectors or blown fuses can be fixed without cost if you do it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions – ASC System Service Required

What does the ASC service system required mean?

ASC service system required could imply that one of the sensors of the ABD wheel speed is faulty. If the service light is on, remember that the ABS capacity can be switched off or lessened until you have it fixed. Also, the wires passing the ABS sensor to the wheel hub can be broken or corroded.

Should ASC be off or on?

A slippery surface can make you sense that your engine is bogging down in speed. You would prefer to switch it off when performing track racing or AutoX. The ASC would not apply brakes to the wheels individually.

How can I reset my ASC?

You would not be able to switch off the ASC after activating “mistaken operation protection features.” To switch off the system, take back the ignition button to the “LOCK” or “ACC” position, then start the engine again and thrust the “ASC OFF” button.

Conclusion – ASC System Service Required