Brief description of components

The following components are described for the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC):

• DSC unit 

  The DSC unit consists of the components DSC control unit and hydraulic unit.

  The DSC control unit regulates the pressure in the brake system via the hydraulic unit (comprises valve block and pump motor).

• Brake light switch 

  The brake light switch tells the DSC when the brake pedal has been pressed.

• 4 wheel-speed sensors 

  The active wheel-speed sensors register the speed of an individual wheel at their circumference. Moreover, the wheel-speed sensors also recognize the direction of rotation (forwards or backwards).

  When a wheel is stationary, the wheel-speed sensor emits a pulse every 0.75 seconds.

• DSC sensor 

  The DSC sensor measures:

  • Vehicle rotation around the vertical axis (yaw rate)
  • Lateral acceleration of vehicle
  • Longitudinal acceleration of vehicle
  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  The DSC sensor is linked to the DSC control unit by the F-CAN (chassis CAN).

  The DSC sensor is secured to the floor assembly under the front-passenger seat.

  • E83

  The DSC sensor is connected to the DSC control unit via the PT-CAN (powertrain CAN).

  The DSC sensor is secured to the retainer plate for the parking brake lever.

  • E90, E91, E92

  The DSC sensor is linked to the DSC control unit by the F-CAN (chassis CAN).

  The DSC sensor is located on the seat cross member under the driver's seat.

• Steering-angle sensor 

  The steering-angle sensor registers the movements of the steering wheel.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  The steering-angle sensor is part of the steering column switch cluster (SZL).

  The steering column switch cluster is connected to the F-CAN (chassis CAN) and to the PT-CAN (powertrain CAN).

  • E90, E91, E92

  The steering-angle sensor is part of the steering column switch cluster (SZL).

  The steering column switch cluster is connected to the F-CAN (chassis CAN).

  • E83

  The steering-angle sensor is fitted to the steering spindle. The steering angle sensor is connected to the PTCAN (powertrain CAN).

• Internal brake pressure sensor 

  The DSC unit incorporates a brake-pressure sensor. This brake pressure sensor registers the braking pressure applied by the brake pedal and the brake booster.

• 2 brake pad wear sensors 

  The brake pad wear sensors (front left and rear right in the inner brake pads) provide additional information about the thickness of the brake pads. This additional information (2 reference points) is compared to the value calculated by the DSC.

  A critical brake lining thickness will be indicated in the instrument cluster by the "Next Service" indicator (Condition Based Service, CBS) and by the general brake warning lamp lighting up red.

• DTC button 

  The DTC button has the letters "DTC". The DTC button can be used to select 3 switch states:

  • DTC button not pressed after terminal change: DSC in operation (default)
  • DTC button briefly pressed: DTC in operation (DTC indicator light lights up in instrument cluster)
  • DTC button pressed and held: DSC and ASC deactivated, ABS and ABD-X on all wheel drive vehicles remain active (indicator lamp in instrument cluster lights up permanently)
  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  The DTC button is in the center console switch cluster (SZM) The signal is transmitted on the K-CAN and via a separate wire. The signal on the separate wire is decisive.

  • E83

  The DTC button is in the center console switch cluster (SZM) The signal is transmitted via a separate wire.

  • E90, E91, E92

  The DTC button is connected to the junction box electronics (JBE). The JBE transmits a bus signal.

• Brake-fluid-level switch 

  Insufficient brake fluid is detected and a signal sent to the DSC control unit.

  If there is insufficient brake fluid, this will be indicated in the instrument cluster by the general brake warning lamp lighting up red.

The DSC control unit also communicates with the following control units:

• DME or DDE: Digital engine electronics or digital diesel electronics 

  The DME or DDE, as applicable, controls engine adaptation (for example, reduction in engine output to prevent spin at the driven wheels). The DME or DDE also receives the converted wheel speed signal from the rear right wheel. This signal is used to check the plausibility of engine misfires (DME). The signal on the PT-CAN is redundant.

• LHS: Rain-light sensor 

  The signal from the rain-light sensor is used to brake the brake discs dry on a wet road surface. In addition, it is important for a wiper stage to be switched on.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  The rain-light sensor supplies the signal on the CAN bus.

  • E83

  The rain-light sensor supplies the signal on the K-bus.

  • E90, E91, E92

  The rain-light sensor is connected to the roof control panel (FZD) via the LIN bus.

• CAS and M-ASK/CCC: Car Access System and multi-audio system controller/Car Communication Computer 

  The CAS control unit and M-ASK/CCC receive the converted wheel speed signal from the rear left wheel.

  Both these control units use this signal to ascertain whether the car is moving or at a standstill.

• SGM: Safety and gateway module 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64 up to 09/2005

  The SGM is the data interface (= gateway) between:

  • PT-CAN
  • K-CAN
  • Byteflight 
  • Diagnosis wire to diagnosis socket
• KGM: Body gateway module 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64 from 09/2005

  The vehicle electrical system was changed from 09/2005. As a result of the change, several control units were discontinued and some control unit functions were integrated into new control units.

  The new body gateway module supersedes the safety and gateway module (SGM) previously fitted.

  The KGM is the data interface (= gateway) between:

  • PT-CAN
  • K-CAN
  • Diagnosis wire to diagnosis socket
• JBE: Junction box electronics 
  • E90, E91 from 09/2005 and
  • E92 from 06/2006

  The JBE is the data interface (= gateway) between:

  • PT-CAN
  • K-CAN
  • Diagnosis wire to diagnosis socket

  Signals from the chassis CAN (F-CAN) are simply looped through.

• ACC: Active Cruise Control 

  DSC receives requests from Active Cruise Control (ACC) via the PT-CAN. In response, DSC reduces speed by applying the brakes at all four wheels.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64
  • E90, E91 from 09/2005 and

    E92 from 06/2006

    The request for brake application is given by the LDM control unit (LDM: longitudinal dynamics management).

• LM: Light module 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  As required by law, the brake lights are activated in the event of automatic braking when the Electronically Controlled Deceleration function (ECD) is triggered by the ACC.

  To do this, a signal must be sent from the DSC to the light module (LM) via the K-CAN.

• FRM: Footwell module 
  • E90, E91, E92

  As required by law, the brake lights are activated in the event of automatic braking when the Electronically Controlled Deceleration function (ECD) is triggered by the ACC.

  To do this, a signal must be sent from the DSC to the footwell module via the PT-CAN.

• KOMBI: Instrument cluster 

  The DSC control unit actuates the indicator and warning lights for the individual DSC functions via the instrument cluster (signal via CAN bus).

  • E83

  The instrument cluster is the data interface (= gateway) between:

  • PT-CAN
  • K-bus
• EGS: Electronic gearbox control (vehicles with automatic transmission) 

  The transmission control (EGS) receives the wheel-speed signals via the PT-CAN.

  The gearbox controller responds by adapting the gearshift characteristics for cornering and ascents. In addition, the gearshift characteristics are adapted to winter conditions (high wheel slip).

  Moreover, gearshifts are suppressed during DSC control.

• CID and CON: Central Information Display and controller 

  The detailed texts for the Check-Control messages are shown in the Central Information Display (CID).

  CID and controller are also used to initialize the Run Flat Indicator (RPA).

  With xDrive an additional function can be activated to reduce speed when driving downhill: Hill descent control (HDC)

• TCU or ULF: Telephone control unit with GPS antenna 

  If the car is not fitted with a navigation system  , the telephone control unit receives the converted wheel speed signals from the front left and right wheels.

  The telephone control unit uses these signals to pinpoint the car's position by dead reckoning.

• GM: General module 
  • E83

  The general module supplies input signals with respect to terminal control.