Aston Martin V8 Vantage 2006 DSC light

[leerandle]

I recently had the DSC light flash up on the dash and then off again. I took it to the local AM dealers and they diagnosed it as both the brake pedal switch and brake pressure switch. I have seen the other posts regarding the brake pressure switch, but nothing about a brake 'pedal' switch. I didnt have a good experience at the AM dealers (Due to TPMS), and am worried they are going to make ther money back by charging on the next job I have. I maybe very cynical, but thought I would check it out before I take it back for the 2 switches.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[krisdelta]

Best bet is to take it to one of the trusted indie places that people on here will happily recommend if you don't trust the dealer. If you post up where you're located, someone will be able to help.

[leerandle]

I'm based in Bristol, so closest AM dealers are Cheltenham or Reading. So any receommended independants with the ability to check the fault codes would be greatly appreciated.

[Manwhoneverwas]

The Brake Pressure switch could be changed out by any local garage.
To fully diagnose an Aston you need the AMDS and some indy's may not have this.

Here is the Brake pressure switch online

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DB9-and-V8-Vantage-Brake...

Note the comment on the AM dealer listing for this part "The most likely cause of your dashboard DSC lamp illuminating will be the failure of your transducer."

and also here with a parts diagram showing the location of the said part

http://astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantage/par...

[leerandle]

Thanks for that, I'd already managed to find the first part/cost that is faulty.

Looks like a simple swap with the existing one. I might just try this transducer first and wait for the next service to confirm I definitely need the 'other' sensor as well.

Anyone recommend any local AM South West Independant dealers ?

[Harry Flashman]

Thread resurrection - but Stratstone want £160+VAT just to diagnose the fault! Anyone know a good (and I don't mean Nicholas Mee, who are rip-off merchants too) in London who won't be this absurd?

I'll happily to the service at Stratstone to keep a main dealer service history, but I am buggered if I will pay them £192 to work out what is causing what is obviously a common fault...

[bogie]

I guess they've got to pay for that expensive AM diagnostic machine somehow.....whats £160, 60 or 90mins labour? Its easy to see how some unlucky owners can run up big bills in a short space of time for simple faults.

I had this fault occur on my old car and took a gamble, and replaced the ABS transducer sensor. Easy 10 min job to replace the sensor, then reset the fault with OBD reader. Start and stop the car a couple of times, it cleared for good. The sensor was £80 ish.....its a gamble, but appeared quite a common issue.

[Murph7355]

I'm pretty sure bogie's right about what it is.

If you fancy a drive out, try HWM or Grange Brentwood for quotes.

[Harry Flashman]

Thanks chaps. Any recommendations when buying a cheapie OBD reader?

Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 31st January 13:01

[BamfordMike]

Harry Flashman said:

Thanks chaps. Any recommendations when buying a cheapie OBD reader?

Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 31st January 13:01

There is no code checker that will read body module and reset codes, all the generic code checkers can do is read and reset engine ECU..

In the example Bogie writes about above, with the sensor renewed, an / a few ignition key cycles caused code to disappear and light self extinguished, because again, no fault code checker will talk to brake control module via the body module - AMDS is needed for that / AMDS for anything other than engine control unit diagnostic

[Harry Flashman]

Thank you Mike - appreciated.

[krisdelta]

Harry, I happen to have my old OBD reader which was most useful for day to day V8V randomness, except when a hub sensor threw a wobbly - that needed the full AMDS thingy. PM me and I'll drop it in the post to you - if that would help.

[bogie]

BamfordMike said:

Harry Flashman said:

Thanks chaps. Any recommendations when buying a cheapie OBD reader?

Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 31st January 13:01

There is no code checker that will read body module and reset codes, all the generic code checkers can do is read and reset engine ECU..

In the example Bogie writes about above, with the sensor renewed, an / a few ignition key cycles caused code to disappear and light self extinguished, because again, no fault code checker will talk to brake control module via the body module - AMDS is needed for that / AMDS for anything other than engine control unit diagnostic

That makes perfect sense to me now, as I tried to reset the MIL a couple of times with OBDII reader, and it didnt work. I power cycled the car a couple of times and left it a few mins and it sorted itself out eventually. Just thought it was a quirk. Didnt know the brake module was in via the body module.