Hicas Light Came On

[heslo]

Hey guys, got a strange problem and got no idea what it is...

Got my alarm installed today, standard job, 3pt immobiliser, such and such. I drove it back home, then later on, turned the car on and went for a drive. First thing I noticed is the car felt for lack of a better word "sluggish" or heavy and when accelerating felt as if something was holding it back. After a couple of minutes the HICAS light activated and I thought "oh oh" As it's never come on before I have no idea what's up and thought some of you guys might have an idea or some reccomendations. Could the installer perhaps caused this to happen or is it just a coincidence?

Cheers

[Darkboy]

Try topping up your power steering reservoir...it only needs to go fractionally below the line and your hicas light will come on.

[heslo]

Will do then report back but that was the first thing I checked and it did seem fine

[heslo]

Seems to be no change, anyone got a guide how to totally remove HICAS on an R33? I've been meaning to do something about removing it but always said I wouldn't until HICAS started playing up, looks like now is the time...

[Liz]

Seems to be no change, anyone got a guide how to totally remove HICAS on an R33? I've been meaning to do something about removing it but always said I wouldn't until HICAS started playing up, looks like now is the time...

do a search in the tutorial/DIY section!

there is one in there that i used, very straight forward!

[heslo]

Yep, just found it, hopefully this fixes my problem. I can't see how HICAS failing can make my car feel "sluggish" when first accelerating however

[R33S2]

I've had an off and on problem with my Hicas since I got the car, it only happens when it's wet and the result was the same as your 1st post every time it rained or I washed it.

After much effort and attempts I tracked my fault to the connector on the power steering pump, I spray it with water dipersant and bingo no problem. I packed it in lanosol.

[heslo]

When you say the result was as my first post, are you referring to the "sluggishness" while accelerating? If so, where is the PS pump located so I can get to the little sucker to try to fix this problem

[Darkboy]

You'll need to fully top up the reservoir even if it looks on the line. The light won't go off after immediately doing this...you'll need to idle the car for a while.

[heslo]

I did so, still pops up about 10 mins after the car has been running

[Andyn]

I get the same issue as heslo.

From the past threads the solutions ppl suggested are:

-top up power steering fluid

-check connectors are fine

-top up hicas fluid.

Are there any other ways you guys have fixed this?

[jaygtr]

Yeah i also have a problem with my hicas. My light comes on and then i hear a knocking from the engine bay, if i turn my steering wheel when its knocking it pulls the steeering. Any clue whats wrong?

[heslo]

Guys, let me just say, easiest thing to do is get a lock bar and get rid of HICAS. Honestly, it's just a pain in the ass. I got sick of screwing around with my car trying to solve the problem so I ordered a lock bar and couldn't be happier!

[Andyn]

Heslo. I did consider that... How much did it cost you - part and labour?

If u did it urself was it pretty straight forward to do? Any special tools required?

[heslo]

Cost me $130 for the HICAS lock, did it myself, no special tools and VERY straight forward; even a guide here on SAU. Need to get a wheel alignment still however for the rear wheels but that's no biggie