Yet Another Hicas Problem Thread

[podge]

Yes my car has HICAS, yes it's having problems. This is a long story, so bear with me through this.

After buying a '95 Skyline R33 GTSt, while driving I sometimes have the HICAS light come on. This normally happens at higher speed, i.e. 80kph+. I've taken this to PVP in Hampstead Gardens, they put their diagnostics machine on it and it reads that the error is "Steering angle sensor [signal not present]". This has lead to a replacement of the clock spring (apparently where the sensor is located) with a second hand one. However this has made no difference.

I have seen PVP when they have had the diagnostics machine hooked up and the machine shows that the sensor is reading "0", even while turning the steering wheel full lock each way. So it seems that for some reason the HICAS computer is thinking that the steering wheel is never moving. We have also swapped the HICAS computer (the one in the boot under the parcel shelf) out of another car into this one and it's made no difference. The mechanic at PVP has also said that he used a test mode while he had the car plugged in that is supposed to make the HICAS move, but it didn't move.

Anyone have any idea what is going on? The only other option seems to be to find an auto electrician that knows something about HICAS that can hopefully find where this problem is. Anyone know of any such auto elec. in Adelaide?

[heslo]

It might not help but you can do the easy and probably cheapest way; get a lock kit and lock the bugger out. All HICAS is for is being a pain in the ass IMO

[Sambo33]

i vote lose the hicas too. there are a few good threads on reasons to remove it, i recommend doing a search on this one.

i recently removed the hicas on my R33, it handles heaps better without it, and only took my about half an hour to remove the rear steering rack and install the lock bar!

btw, i bought the lock bar off greenline, heres the link.

http://www.greenline.jp/catalogue/bblist.php?brand=ESSENTIAL

[podge]

As far as I know the HICAS has never actually done anything the whole time I've had the car, because of the computer thinking I've only ever driven in straight lines. As it is this is a warranty thing anyway with the car yard picking up the bill for anything that needs to be done. It's just a case of working out WHAT needs to be done

I would like to have the HICAS at least working, so I can know what it's like myself. I've read threads claiming it is unpradictable, which seems fair enough. However I don't plan on drifting or anything like that, I like my tyres and body work where they are. So while I car yard will pick up the cheque I would like to get it working, then at a later date it's fairly cheap for me to install a lock kit if I decide I don't like it. However it will be expensive if later I decide that I really would like to know what this HICAS thing is like...

[Cubes]

Its underwarranty, send the car back in and get it fixed correctly as I believe hicas lock bars are not street legal.

So if you were defected and had to go back to std you would have a nonworking hicas that flashes the dash light at you.

[podge]

That's what I'm trying to do. However the car yard has never had to deal with a HICAS problem themselves before, and don't know where to send the car. They want me to point to an Auto Electrician or other that knows about these things so it can get fixed. Their customer service seems to be a bit lacking, instead of them going, "Yep, it's got a problem, give it to us for a couple of days and then you can have it back fixed", it's, "Well you find someone to fix it and let us know what they want to do then we can give the go ahead and will pick up the bill afterwards".

[4door_Sleeper]

I took my wifes 33 down to Manta Automotive and he was able to diagnose my problem (with the car, not me)

Turns out I have a fault in the loom between the ECU snd the Hicas system which means it works some of the time (usually when cold) but once it warms up and I restart the car the hicus light comes on and stays on.

Worst part is that the power steering becomes heavy without hicas.

One a side note, has anyone got a Hicas lock kit that I can borrow to see if it will fix the power steering problem?.

[sskylinee]

i used to have hicas problems and power steering problems in my r32

i was told the problem could be the hicas computer, boss kit, not enough power, power steering pump, solenoid on power steering rack, blockage in fluid lines, ecu wiring

had it all looked at and auto electrician nailed it down to the hicas ecu giving the solenoid the signal to close

ive heard alot of people have had just hicas problems due to the steering sensor so if u got an arfter market steering wheel or ur wheel isnt on straight? maybe change them back?