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My Downhill Assist light is blinking...

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karrock

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Here I was, halfway through my somewhat long Christmas trip (circuit running through three states for friends and family) and all of a sudden the Downhill Assist light starts blinking. Driving feels "normal". And when I do the brake double-pump to activate DA, I get the normal beep, but the Traction Control light comes on. Now I'm back home and 400-some odd miles later, the DA light still flashes -- hasn't stoppped.

Anyone else experience this? Couldn't find anything in the owner's manual or the forums... Guess I'm going to have to make a trip to the dealership... :?: :?:
 
#3 ·
DAC is only supposed to be activated by the button on the dash - pushing hard on the brakes while stopped is to activate HAC.

The manual says that if the DAC light flashes it may indicate that the system is trying to activate but the gearshift isn't in L or R. It doesn't say so, but maybe the light also flashes if you aren't going slow enough (under 25 mph) for it to work.

Assuming your DAC button didn't get pushed accidentally, it sounds like the system is trying to turn itself on and can't.
 
#4 ·
Flashing DA light means the downward assist system has been engaged.

Since the DA button is located right above the cupholder, I've had the DA button engage by going over a bump with a 16 oz soda bottle in the cupholder.

Trying pressing the the DA button again and see if the system disengages.

-Donna
 
#5 ·
My wife inadvertently activated it once while she was asleep in the passenger seat. I don't recall if the button has a light to indicate its activation or not, but that'd be my guess. IIRC, the light staying steady on after the engine's started meant there's a fault. But I might not remember correctly. :D
 
#6 ·
The DAC light in the instrument cluster blinking means the system is attempting to engage or disengage - when it's on steady it means it's engaged. Since you need to be in L or R and travelling less than 25 mph for it to engage, I imagine the light would flash indefinitely if the DAC button was pushed in and you drove around normally without realising it. Sounds like exactly what karrock ran into - hopefully it is just that his DAC button was bumped and not something more serious.
 
#7 ·
I was entering a freeway today when the DAC light started blinking. I pushed the button and it went off. I don't know why it came on, because I had not touched the button beforehand.
 
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#8 ·
Aptos Driver said:
I was entering a freeway today when the DAC light started blinking. I pushed the button and it went off. I don't know why it came on, because I had not touched the button beforehand.
Click to expand...
The DAC button is mechanically locking button, so it stays activated even after turning off the key. Someone or something must have pushed it in while you weren't looking. I usually just blame this sort of thing on the grandkids. :D
 
#10 ·
karrock said:
Here I was, halfway through my somewhat long Christmas trip (circuit running through three states for friends and family) and all of a sudden the Downhill Assist light starts blinking. Driving feels "normal". And when I do the brake double-pump to activate DA, I get the normal beep, but the Traction Control light comes on. Now I'm back home and 400-some odd miles later, the DA light still flashes -- hasn't stoppped.

Anyone else experience this? Couldn't find anything in the owner's manual or the forums... Guess I'm going to have to make a trip to the dealership... :?: :?:
Click to expand...
Do you have Downhill Assist in your 2008 Silver Acura RDX? ;-)
 
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#12 ·
friendly_jacek said:
karrock said:
Here I was, halfway through my somewhat long Christmas trip (circuit running through three states for friends and family) and all of a sudden the Downhill Assist light starts blinking. Driving feels "normal". And when I do the brake double-pump to activate DA, I get the normal beep, but the Traction Control light comes on. Now I'm back home and 400-some odd miles later, the DA light still flashes -- hasn't stoppped.

Anyone else experience this? Couldn't find anything in the owner's manual or the forums... Guess I'm going to have to make a trip to the dealership... :?: :?:
Click to expand...
Do you have Downhill Assist in your 2008 Silver Acura RDX? ;-)
Click to expand...
:lol: .. I don't think the OP even owns a RAV4 now.
 
#13 ·
dbcassidy said:
Flashing DA light means the downward assist system has been engaged.

Since the DA button is located right above the cupholder, I've had the DA button engage by going over a bump with a 16 oz soda bottle in the cupholder.

Trying pressing the the DA button again and see if the system disengages.

-Donna
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!!! That is exactly what happened to me but I had in all these years never even noticed that button!!! I have been watching that light blink for a week... even called the Toyota service department to ask what had happened....they didn't know but said not to worry...fat chance..

I just now went in the garage and fixed in about 10 seconds!

My sincere thanks,
Karen
 
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