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VSA Fuse Mystery, Questions

9.7K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  MikeT  
#1 ·
I’ve only owned my RL for 4-1/2 months, and I’m still checking out new-to-me systems such as VSA and TPMS. Anyway, today, for the first time, I depressed the VSA OFF switch while driving just to check it out. Nothing happened--no warning lights came on. (Previously, I had just checked the warning lights coming on during start-up. Everything always seemed to check out OK, and I never bothered with an actual system test until today.)

Got back home and checked the VSA fuses. Found that both the 20-amp and 40-amp VSA fuses in the engine compartment were not fully seated. Pushed them in about 1/16” and seated them properly. After that, The VSA disable function worked as advertised with the triangle warning light coming on. Took a short road test, cycled the VSA OFF switch, and everything worked OK.

So, I guess I've been driving for 4-1/2 months with VSA disabled, without any warning lights at all. Oh well, none of my previous vehicles had VSA either!

From other threads/postings, I found out that off-roaders who air-down remove the 20-amp VSA fuse to intentionally disable the VSA system (since the VSA OFF switch is non-functional with TPMS activated). The underside of my RL is in pristine condition—no scuffs, dings, leaks, or anything that would indicate previous off-road use. Also, why would both of my VSA fuses be loosened and not just the 20-amper if the original owner had done off-roading?

Additionally, my RL is Honda certified. Is there any kind of maintenance check where the tech would have a need to remove both of these fuses to check something out, but forgot to properly seat them when done?

Everything is OK with my RL now, but I’m curious to find out if anyone has any thoughts on how both VSA fuses came to be "popped" out of their sockets.
 
#2 ·
Possibly by someone driving in sand decided to "air down" the tires to something below the 25psi alarm pressure.

If the fuses are in and you air down below 25psi, the VSA system overrides the VSA Off button setting as a safety precaution (As in the event of a blown tire). In sand, this can be detrimental as you need both the low tire pressure to stay on top of the loose sand, bit also the ability to spin the tires and maintain forward momentum in the event you start to sink.