surfsecret

I would like to add a little toggle switch that when its flipped on, will turn off DSC automatically.....

can i just put a toggle switch in there that acts as if its holding the button down when the toggle switch is in the ON position?

when its in the off position, starting the car will allow DSC to be on as usual.

i did some searching.. not sure if anybody has done this already

Jon

irish8

Hey, Post in the Tech section. You will get more hits.

My only question....why?

- Irish

surfsecret

because i keep forgetting to turn it off every time i get into my car
i like the power with it off
and the MPG increase

oi812

Wow, I've been thinking about the exact same mod for the last two days. This should be easy to do, the existing switch is just a momentary contact switch. My wife's 03 MPV has the same style (size & shape) switch for her fog lights but it's a push button on off style. The RX8 has a blank space for one more switch and it should be a drop in. My plan was to wire both switches in parallel so both would function. The momentary switch could be used in the winter when I use the "single push" when I want to have fun and I could use the on-off switch and just leave it off completely in the summer. The only issue is that the MPV switch was over $30!! Maybe I'll just try the idea with a cheap one first. If it rains on Saturday, I think I have myself an afternoon project.

surfsecret

you could get a toggle switch from radio shack for $3 ! why does it have to be a stock switch?

oi812

Doesn't have to be the stock switch it would just look and fit better. I don't even think the dealer would notice it if I have to take it in for something. The radio shack switch might draw attention to itself.

irish8

Hey guys....just remember when you press the DSC button even though the light pop's up that DSC is OFF, it is actually not entirely switched off. If you want to completely disengage DSC you will need to start your car, press and hold the DSC button for 7+ seconds, this will turn OFF all stability control 100%. Keep your head screwed on for the first few miles...you would be surprized at how used to DSC you become.

- Irish

Coop '04

Something else to consider, it is turned off after 7 seconds of holding the momentary switch. Having a switch that is off continuously may have a different possibly damaging outcome. You might pull the switch and jump the wires just to see what happens with a continous connection. Just a thought.

surfsecret

i dont think that will have a dangerous outcome - you could try holding the switch down for a minute.. nothing happens... it just keeps it off

oi812

Well I did it, I added a rocker style toggle switch that is about the same size of the blank opening next to the DSC switch. It works as expected with the new switch on, it defaults to DSC off right away at start-up, then after a few seconds it goes to DSC full off just like if you hold in the stock switch in. If the add-on switch is in the off position, everything is just like stock. No check engine or unusual performance after about 75 miles of messing around with it.

It's easy to get to these you just have to remove the pop in panel under the steering column, just pull near the top corners and it kind of rotates down and then out. You have to reach up under the dash, it's easier if the steering wheel tilt is all the way up. You have to reach up and squeeze the tabs one on the top and one on the bottom of the dummy switch next to the DSC (drivers right). These come out of the dash towards the driver, I had one hand under the dash and the other on the face of the blank switch to help pull it out. Once the blank is out of the way, you can do the same thing to the DSC. There is plenty of wire length to just pull the DSC switch out and get to the wires with it still connected. There are four wires on the DSC switch connector, the bottom two are the momentary switch, the top two are the dash light inside the stock switch. You have to remove some of the tape to get to the wires. I just spliced into the bottom two and ran them to the rocker switch. Rocker on, just like stock switch pushed and held down, rocker off, just like stock (DSC push button still works).

surfsecret

Great! I'm doing this - this weekend.

thanks for the detailed explanation.
Jon

Gomez

I think the mpg thing has been disproven, hasn't it? One dude claimed it worked and a hundred others tried it and found it didn't? I would be happy if some-one could tell me otherwise....!

Gomez.

jtimbck2

Interesting mod -- I'm moving it to the DIY Forum.

PaSs1oVeR

With this new switch, when its ON, and the tcs and dsc are both off ... do the DSC OFF and the Burn-out picture lights still appear on the gauge panel?

Gomez

Yep.

PaSs1oVeR

Awesome!!! I know what i'll be doing while I wait for Hurricane Frances to pass over us!

Mark Opperman

Where did you get the rocker swithch? Is it a Mazda switch or aftermarket?

PaSs1oVeR

Hmm, got to thinkin today at work. If the lights dont come on, how do you know the DSC/TCS is actually off?

RedRenisis

Dump the clutch

bgreene

It should light up both the "DSC OFF" light and the DSC warning light if both DSC and TCS are off.

If you just wanted to default to DSC off, you'd need some kind of circuit that detected the power from startup, paused a couple seconds, then sent a "pulse" which simulated the button push, then reverted.

This can be done, probably reasonably simply with parts from radio shack, although I don't know how exactly (timer and "flip-flop" IC's aren't really very exotic).

The mod I've though of doing would be just to put a second paralell switch in a more convienient place (maybe a "trigger" on the gearshift), since I usually just switch off DSC every once in a while but keep it on for normal driving.

oi812

If you want to see how it works for yourself, just try pushing and holding in the stock switch before you start your car. Continue to hold it down, both "DSC off" and the "burnout" light will stay on.

The add in switch works exactly like if you were to constantly hold the stock switch in. It will light both lights just like a "long push" of the stock switch.

I got the switch from Auto Zone for $0.99. A stock Mazda switch would look better and have been easier to install. I had to cut out the opening for the new switch in the blank panel with a dermal tool. The face of the blank switch is slightly curved, and the back of it is in a deep pocket so it's hard to tighten the mounting nut. I ended up making the right size opening for the new switch and then super-gluing the new one to the snap in switch blank.

PaSs1oVeR

I know that works, ive held it in longer than the 7 seconds ... my original question was if the new switch would turn the 2 functions off without lighting up the lights on the dash, which someone answered yes to.

Then my next question was, if the 2nd switch turns them off without lighting up the lights, then how do you know they are actually off?

Gomez

THIS is your original question! Re-read it......you asked if the lights appear when the mod has been carried out. I answered "Yep".

To reiterate, doing this mod fools the car into thinking that the DSC off switch is permanently held in. Therefore it makes sense that the two dash annunciators will illuminate...and they will. BTW, this mod causes a fault code.
The system thinks the switch has failed. According to the Service Highlights manual, code C1093 (DSC OFF switch system) is logged. The DSC hydraulic unit/control module has a non-volatile memory that cannot be cleared even if the cars battery is removed. It says to refer to the Workshop Manual for the fault code clearing proceedure. That probably means use the WDS....

Mazda don't put the "long press" in your owners manual.....the manual actually explains that if the switch is pressed for a second or more, then the system suspects a problem with the switch.

That said, there shouldn't be any real problems caused by carrying out this mod. Your dealer may ask you about it though, as they will probably try to clear the code at the next service and be unable to if you leave the new switch on. I'd be inclined to tell them about it when you drop the car off.....

Regards, Gomez.

EyeBall Fixer...(o)(x)

Anyone tried just pulling the fuse in the engine compartment?
It worked for me and I didn't have to add any additional switches..

oi812

I did try the fuse for just the DSC. It takes out the DSC and the ABS since they "talk" to each other. I wanted to keep ABS and only have DSC once in a while.

As far as the code in non-volatile memory, it should be the same as a long push of the stock switch, I think that would also set that code.