GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC C0252: VSES Sensors Uncorrelated

Circuit/System Description

The vehicle stability enhancement system (VSES) is activated by the electronic brake control module (EBCM) calculating the desired yaw rate and comparing it to the actual yaw rate input. The desired yaw rate is calculated from measured steering wheel position, vehicle speed, and lateral acceleration. The difference between the desired yaw rate and actual yaw rate is the yaw rate error, which is a measurement of oversteer or understeer. If the yaw rate error becomes too large, the EBCM will attempt to correct the vehicles yaw motion by applying differential braking to the left or right front wheel.

The amount of differential braking applied to the left or right front wheel is based on both the yaw rate error and side slip rate error. The side slip rate error is a function of the lateral acceleration minus the product of the yaw rate and vehicle speed. The yaw rate error and side slip rate error are combined to produce the total delta velocity error. When the delta velocity error becomes too large and the VSES system activates, the drivers steering inputs combined with the differential braking will attempt to bring the delta velocity error toward zero.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The steer angle has been centered.
    • The VSES is active.
    • The direction, understeer or oversteer, of the yaw rate error has not changed.
    • The centered lateral acceleration value is less than 4.9 m/s² (0.5 g).
    • The yaw rate error is less than 0.1 rad/s (6 degrees/second).
    • The side slip error is greater than 1.8 m/s² (0.18 g).

Conditions for Setting the DTC

One of the following conditions exists:

    • The yaw rate error is greater than 0.17 rad/s (10 degrees/second) with the vehicle speed less than 60 km/h (37 mph) and the acceleration pedal is pressed greater than 25 percent of the pedal travel range for 1 second during the VSES activation.
    • With the yaw rate sensor less than 0.14 rad/s (8 degrees/second), the side slip error is greater than 4.9 m/s² (0.5 g) for 5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The EBCM disables the VSES for the duration of the ignition cycle.
    • The driver information center (DIC) displays the SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message.
    • The antilock brake system (ABS) and traction control system (TCS) remains functional.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The condition for the DTC is no longer present and the DTC is cleared with a scan tool.
    • The EBCM automatically clears the history DTC when a current DTC is not detected in 100 consecutive drive cycles.

Diagnostic Aids

The following conditions can cause this concern:

    • Improper steering alignment
    • Open, short to ground, or short to voltage
    • Internal yaw rate/lateral accelerometer sensor failure
    • EBCM internal failure

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Antilock Brake System Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

ABS Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for Scan Tool Information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Observe the SWPS Signal A and SWPS Signal B parameters with a scan tool while turning the steering wheel left and right. Verify that the SWPS Signal A and SWPS Signal B parameters increase and decrease smoothly when the steering wheel is turned.
  2. If the SWPS Signal A and SWPS Signal B parameters do not change smoothly, replace the steering wheel position sensor.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for setting the DTC. Verify DTC C0186, C0196, C0252, or C0710 are not set.
  4. If DTC C0186, C0196,C0253, or C0710 are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle.
    If DTC C0252 is set, replace the yaw and lateral acceleration sensor. If DTC C0252 sets again, replace the EBCM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Steering Wheel Position Sensor Replacement
    •  Vehicle Yaw Sensor with Vehicle Lateral Accelerometer Replacement
    •  Control Module References for EBCM replacement, setup, and programming