Nowadays modern vehicles are equipped with plenty of advanced systems designed to keep you safer on the road. One of these systems is the vehicle dynamic control light (VDC) which is meant to improve traction.
What Does The Vehicle Dynamic Control Light In Car Means?
The VDC light comes on the dashboard if your vehicle’s stability control system is disengaged. As it works with your car’s anti-lock brake system to provide more traction. The VDC system allows drivers to maintain control of their cars in slippery driving conditions. Usually, the VDC light can be cleared by turning your car on and off.
If the vehicle is understeering, VDC applies the brakes on the outer front wheel by causing it to turn the way it should. The VDC system is consistently monitoring the direction and steering of the vehicle. If there is a problem, the VDC system enables to counteract the loss of traction and wheel slippage.
What Are The Causes Of VDC Light On The Dashboard?
The most common causes of a vehicle dynamic control light are a defective ABS wheel sensor, and a malfunctioning steering angle sensor.
1. Bad Steering Rack:-
The steering rack is responsible for controlling the wheels based on the input from the steering wheel. It is located on the body of the car as part of the steering system. It uses hydraulic fluid, which turns the wheels. If the rack fails or malfunctions, there might be trouble steering the vehicle, causing the VDC light to turn on.
2. Malfunctioning Steering Angle Sensors:-
The job of these sensors is to measure the angle of the wheel as you drive. If the sensors fail or become contaminated with debris the VDC light will come on.
3. Defective Wheel Sensors:-
The VDC system kicks in to reduce the power of the wheel and provide better traction. If you have a faulty wheel sensor, the proper data cannot be sent by which the VDC light will go on, alerting you that the sensor is broken or has debris on it.
4. Defective ECU:-
There are numerous sensors communicating with the car’s computer at all times. The computer is responsible for taking the data from the sensors and translating it into action. As the wheels begin to slip, the ECU needs to cut power to the wheel for correction. If the ECU can’t read the messages from the sensors, it could cause the VDC light to come on the dashboard.
5. Faulty Alternator:-
The function of your vehicle’s alternator is to recharge the car battery. A defective or bad alternator will be unable to recharge your car’s battery effectively and it affects the VDC system. The insufficient supply of power causes the system to disengage and the dashboard light to illuminate.
6. Low Levels Of Brake Fluid:-
The Low brake fluid can lead to brake failure, which will ultimately affect VDC function.
7. Damaged Hydraulic Circuits:-
Every vehicle is equipped with a dual hydraulic system that works as a failsafe should the main brake line fail. The ECU will turn the VDC light on the moment it detects damage to the hydraulic system circuits.
8. Damaged Stator Ring:-
The stator ring and the wheel speed sensor both relay information about rotational speed to the ECU. A damaged stator ring will disrupt this process and produce a lower output voltage that will cause the ECU to turn on the VDC light.
9. Faulty ABS Module:-
Your vehicle’s ABS module regulates the amount of brake pressure applied individually to each wheel. Sometimes the repetitive exposure to the different temperatures damages the circuit board.
Is It Safe To Drive With My VDC Light On?
Your vehicle won’t immediately break down after 20 minutes of driving, the VDC system prevents your car from slipping. That means if you drive with this indicator light on, you are more likely to get into a vehicle accident.
How To Fix The VDC Light In The Car?
Step 1:-
You will need to replace the defective sensor if it is responsible for causing this issue. Sometimes, the sensors can be cleaned, which saves you some money.
Step 2:-
The steering rack can be difficult to replace, it requires more time and the ECU must be professionally reprogrammed.
Step 3:-
The easiest way to fix a vehicle dynamic control light is by checking the trouble codes with a diagnostic scanner.
Step 4:-
Take your vehicle to a professional as they will help to determine the main reason behind the problem.
Step 5:-
A damaged stator ring will disrupt this process and produce a lower output voltage. To diagnose this issue, your mechanic will need to inspect the stator rings for rust or missing teeth manually. You need to replace the damaged stator rings.
Step 6:-
Wheel alignment is essential and plays a vital role in your vehicle’s stability control. The misaligned wheels are responsible for the VDC light to illuminate. You need to fix it by aligning them properly.
Step 7:-
You will need to have the damaged circuits replaced to turn off the VDC light.
Step 8:-
You may need to check for worn-out brake pads and a faulty alternator to have them replaced.
Conclusion:-
We hope the above-mentioned information about the vehicle dynamic control light will be helpful to all the readers. If anybody’s doubts persist feel free to comment in the comment section below. We’ll try to solve all the doubts as soon as possible.
