New Member, New (Used) Car, Already a Problem?
 

So I just bought a used 2010 MS3 yesterday. Really clean car, only 20k miles, doesn't appear to have ever been modded but who knows. Test drive went fine of course and I've been driving it as much as I can. Anyway, I notice there's a "DSC OFF" button. I figure it has something to do with traction/stability control so naturally I push the button. Nothing happens. I figure no big deal I probably just have to be in some certain scenario to get it turned off. So I check the manual and it looks like you just push it and it turns off, lol. So I come here and have been searching and again it looks like you're supposed to be able to just push the button and a light that says "DSC OFF" comes on and there you go. Not the case here, I get no light. I tried the 'hold the button down while it's starting' thing too. Nothing. So WTF? Bad switch? Fuse? I searched but came up empty.

Try to light up the tires after you push the button... if you can, DSC is off, and maybe just the light is broken

Thanks. I should mention I see the light come on as part of the idiot light barrage you get at startup. It definitely works, just not when I want it to.

That's a bit strange. I have a gen 1 and when I turn off the stability control I have DCS OFF in orange where my instrument lights are. It turns back on when I shut the car off as a safety feature (so the light is out again when you restart the car). It's supposed to do that but when you press the button you should see the light. You can still tell if it's on or off. Restart the car (it should be on showing no light) and take off quickly (trying to spin the tires) they should slightly spin but catch themselves so you can't do a real burnout. After that push the button once then do the same thing and the wheels should spin and start to do the muscle car burn out. Test this someplace safe without cars around you for when the torque steer wrenches the steering wheel out of your hands. lol. At least you'll know if it's functional. There's no reason to have it off unless you were stuck in snow or something and you needed a bit of spin to get out. I've never needed to turn it off myself. It's a tire saver for sure.

Start the car and let it idle. Press and hold the button for a couple of seconds until DSC off light comes on. Report back here...

I can work a button. Give me some credit here, lol. Anyway, nothing. Light didn't come on. Quick question though. Should the button be illuminated? Like, light up red like the other buttons? Mine isn't.

When you turn DSC off the light isn't in the cluster where all the other idiot lights are. It's outside of the speedo on the lower right side below the knob that you use to zero out the odometer. If you don't see it there then somethings wrong.

Thanks. I know where it's supposed to be. Bottom-right, I see it light up when I start the car. Just doesn't respond to the button. I'm aware there's a problem that's why I'm here lol.

Try this first.

Thanks, but I already know that it doesn't work. The question is why.

And I googled some pics a bit ago and answered my own question. The button itself does light up red like the rest of the interior. Again, my button does not light up. My button has no power. Why would that be?

Your VIP. Download the service manual and look in the diagnostics section.

go to the dealership you are still in warranty.

20k miles.. I would say take it to dealer. There's always a chance previous owner tried to disable SWAS and somehow screwed up

Im surprised no one stated the obv. Is it plugged in? Ive done remote starts and forgot to plug stuff back in and we discover this when thecoustomer says "duuuuu it doesn't work when i push the button" .you can remove that panel by prying it out

i kinda assumed the op would of done that first thing

Assumptions are the mother of all fuck ups. OP didnt mention it

Nah I didn't even notice that the button wasn't illuminating until yesterday. Haven't had time to pry the panel off to check connections. Two kids, maybe you know the drill. Obviously that's next step though. Interesting you said something about a remote start. The car does have an aftermarket alarm, and the LED is in the panel next to the DSC switch. Could be...

20k and 2010, car is still under warranty. But if its due to the alarm/install, they're going to charge you.

Fuckin' thing was unplugged. :facepalm:

I feel like an idiot for not popping that panel first thing, but hey, at least I searched. Also nice to know the previous owner didn't spend all his time doing smokey burnouts, lol.

Thanks to everyone.

Just curious but... what does DSC have to do with lighting up the tires? Wouldn't that be traction control??? DSC is supposed to prevent you from spinning when you push the limit of tire adhesion.

the dynamic stability control? it's just mazda's name for traction control. leave it on and try to spin in a line...you'll get the squiggly car flashing at you. now turn it off and see what happens.

then don't ask why traction control tries to keep your car in traction...

Huh... I was under the impression it had BOTH DSC and traction control.

You never do burnout? :sigh:

So true..