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Up to 11/2009











BRAKE CONTROL / DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS: VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM: SYSTEM DIAGRAM














BRAKE CONTROL / DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS: VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM: SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

1. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

HINT
The skid control ECU is built into the VSC actuator.

(a) ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)

The ABS helps prevent the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied firmly or on a slippery surface.





(1) Operation description

The skid control ECU detects wheel lock conditions by receiving vehicle speed signals from each speed sensor, and sends control signals to the pump motor and solenoid valve to prevent the wheels from locking by controlling the brake fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder.

The ABS warning light comes on when the ABS system malfunctions.

(b) EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)

The EBD control utilizes the ABS, performing proper brake force distribution between the front and rear wheels in accordance with the driving conditions. When the brakes are applied while cornering, it also controls the braking forces of the rear right and rear left wheels, helping to maintain vehicle stability.





(1) Operation description

The skid control ECU receives speed signals from each speed sensor to detect the slip conditions of the wheels and sends control signals to the solenoid.

The solenoid valve controls the brake fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder, and divides the control power properly between the front and rear wheels and the rear right and rear left wheels.

The ABS and BRAKE warning lights and VSC OFF and SLIP indicator lights come on to indicate malfunctions in the EBD system.

(c) BA (Brake Assist)

The primary purpose of the brake assist system is to provide auxiliary brake force to assist drivers who cannot generate a brake force large enough during emergency braking, thus helping to maximize the vehicle's braking performance.





(1) Operation description

The skid control ECU receives speed signals from each speed sensor and the fluid pressure signal from the master cylinder pressure sensor to determine whether brake assist is necessary. If brake assist is deemed necessary, the skid control ECU sends control signals to the pump motor and solenoid. The pump and the solenoid valve then control the pressure applied to each wheel cylinder. The ABS warning light and VSC OFF and SLIP indicator lights come on to indicate malfunctions in the BA system.

(d) Changing of TRAC, AUTO LSD and VSC operation permission/disablement through VSC OFF switch

(1) Changing modes:





(2) Through the VSC OFF switch, the vehicle can be changed to normal mode, TRAC OFF mode, AUTO LSD mode and VSC OFF mode.









HINT
* o: Illuminated
* -: Not illuminated









HINT
* o: Illuminated
* -: Not illuminated









HINT
* o: Illuminated
* -: Not illuminated













HINT
* o: Illuminated
* -: Not illuminated
(3) Drive mode and each function





HINT
* o: Operates
* -: Does not operate
(e) TRAC (Traction Control) (for 2WD vehicles or 4WD vehicles in H2 mode)

The TRAC system helps prevent the drive wheels from slipping if the driver presses down on the accelerator pedal excessively when starting off or accelerating on a slippery surface.





(1) Operation description

The skid control ECU detects the vehicle's slip condition by receiving signals from each speed sensor and the ECM via CAN communication.

The skid control ECU controls engine torque with the ECM via CAN communication and brake fluid pressure through the pump and solenoid valve. The SLIP indicator light blinks when the system is operating. The VSC OFF indicator light blinks and the SLIP indicator light comes on when the TRAC system malfunctions.

(f) VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)

The VSC system helps prevent the vehicle from slipping sideways when front or rear wheel skidding occurs while cornering.





(1) Operation description

The skid control ECU determines the vehicle condition by receiving signals from the speed sensor, yaw rate and deceleration sensor and steering angle sensor. The skid control ECU controls driving torque with the ECM via CAN communication, and brake fluid pressure with the solenoid valve.

The SLIP indicator light blinks and the skid control buzzer sounds when the system is operating. When there is a malfunction in the VSC system, the VSC OFF indicator light blinks and the SLIP indicator light comes on.

The VSC OFF switch stops VSC operation.

(g) A-TRAC (Active Traction Control) (for 4WD)

During rugged off-road driving, this system controls the engine output and the brake fluid pressure that is applied to the slipping wheel and distributes the drive force that would have been lost through the slippage to the remaining wheels in order to achieve an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) effect.

HINT
The A-TRAC system operates when the 4WD control switch is set to 4L or 4H.





(1) Operation description

The SLIP indicator light blinks when the system is operating. The VSC OFF indicator light blinks and the SLIP indicator light comes on to indicate a malfunction in the A-TRAC system.

(h) AUTO LSD (Auto Limited Slip Differential)

For 2WD vehicles and 4WD vehicles in H2 mode, the AUTO LSD will operate with the VSC OFF switch on (TRAC OFF or AUTO LSD mode) and the accelerator pedal depressed.

The AUTO LSD system is used to restrain brake pressure and reduce differential movement, thus transmitting drive torque to the other drive wheel to ensure startability under the following conditions:

* Wheels run off the road.

* Drive wheels slip when starting on a slope with one wheel on snow/ice.

HINT
Depressing the brake pedal cancels control of the AUTO LSD system.





(1) Operation description

The SLIP indicator light blinks and the AUTO LSD indicator light remains on when the system is operating.

The VSC OFF indicator light blinks and the SLIP indicator light comes on to indicate a malfunction in the AUTO LSD system.

Auto LSD operation becomes possible in TRAC OFF mode or Auto LSD mode. TRAC OFF mode begins when the vehicle is in normal mode and the VSC OFF switch is pressed for a short amount of time. Auto LSD mode begins when the vehicle is in normal mode or TRAC OFF mode and the VSC OFF switch is pressed for 3 seconds or more. During TRAC OFF mode or AUTO OFF mode, the combination meter's AUTO LSD indicator light and SLIP indicator light illuminate, and TRAC operation is disabled.

When the vehicle speed is more than 50 km/h (31 mph), the vehicle automatically returns to normal mode. When the vehicle speed is 50 km/h (31 mph) or less, the vehicle returns to AUTO LSD mode.

2. ABS with EBD, BA, TRAC and VSC OPERATION

(a) The skid control ECU calculates vehicle stability tendency based on the signals from the 4 wheel speed sensors, the yaw rate and deceleration sensor and the steering angle sensor. In addition, it evaluates the results of the calculations to determine whether any control actions (control of the engine output torque by electronic throttle control and of the brake fluid pressure by the VSC actuator) should be implemented.

(b) The SLIP indicator light blinks and the skid control buzzer sounds to inform the driver that the VSC system is operating. The SLIP indicator light also blinks when traction control is operating, and the operation being performed is displayed.

3. FAIL-SAFE FUNCTION

(a) When a failure occurs in the ABS with BA, TRAC and VSC systems, the ABS warning light and SLIP indicator light come on and the VSC OFF indicator light blinks, and the operation of those systems is prohibited. In addition to this, when a failure which disables the EBD operation occurs, the BRAKE warning light comes on and EBD operation is prohibited.

(b) If control is prohibited due to a malfunction during operation, control is disabled gradually to avoid sudden vehicle instability.

4. INITIAL CHECK

(a) When the vehicle speed first reaches approximately 23 km/h (14 mph) or more after the ignition switch has been turned ON, each solenoid valve and the VSC actuator motor are sequentially activated to perform electrical checks. During the initial check, the operating sound of the motor can be heard from the engine compartment, but this does not indicate a malfunction.

5. FUNCTION OF COMPONENTS