Hicas Problems

[MerlinTheHapyPig]

I've noticed a lot of threads about HICAS problems recently and I thought it might pay to create a thread to summarise some of the common problems.

What is HICAS?

HICAS is the Nissan version of all-wheel steering. It makes the car understeer more by changing the angle of the rear wheels slightly when cornering. It is only active at higher speeds (above 80km/hr). Effectively it's designed to make the car more wally-proof which is ok for the average driver, but a hinderance when driven on the track. It also makes the car less predictable.

The angle of the rear wheels is controlled by a rear steering rack, which you can see bolted to the subframe to the rear of the differential. On R33's this is electric, R32's and also S13's use a hydraulic system.

Removing HICAS (Installing a Lock Bar)

It's generally accepted that HICAS is a bad thing, especially for those of you who drive their cars to the limits. Disabling hicas is fairly straight forward, I've included some threads that might be useful.

HICAS is removed by replacing the rear steering rack with a lock bar. In the case of R32's which use a hydraulic unit you also have to re-route the powersteering lines to bypass the HICAS solenoid. GTRgeoff on the forum sells HICAS lock bars, I strongly recommend contacting him if you're after one.

R32 Removing HICAS http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...howtopic=122140

R33 Removing HICAS http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...showtopic=58778

Common HICAS Problems

The most common reasons for the HICAS light on the dash lighting up are:

-Low Power Steering Fluid Level

-Fitted an aftermarket steering wheel (which doesn't allow for the Steering Angle Sensor)

These are the first things you should check when diagnosing a HICAS related problem.

Contrary to some of the advise i've seen given on the forum, the HICAS light on the dash only comes on when there is a problem.

HICAS Diagnostic Mode

HICAS has a built in diagnostic mode, when diagnostic mode is entered the HICAS light will flash a code and allow you to determine what sensor is faulty:

HICAS Diagnostics http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...showtopic=22193

Alot of people seem to have trouble getting into diagnostic mode, and I can't really offer a solution here. Usually what most people do rather than properly diagnosing the problem is to just get rid of HICAS all together. In fact unless the problem is simple (such as low power steering fluid) then this is probably the best solution!

You can also see a Nissan dealer service department and I believe they can use Consult to read any HICAS problems from the ECU. Unfortunantly I haven't seen the capability included in any of the free-to-public consult interface software. I might try writing my own software to do this if I have some free time.

If anyone has anything to add, or if I've made any mistakes, or has a problem with their hicas they can't diagnose with the above info, please post here!

[CATKICKER]

Thanks for this thread! Very good work, WELL DONE!

[R.C]

Common HICAS Problems

The most common reasons for the HICAS light on the dash lighting up are:

-Low Power Steering Fluid Level

-Fitted an aftermarket steering wheel (which doesn't allow for the Steering Angle Sensor)

Add steering angle sensor to this list. I had the light coming on after 10 mins of driving consistantly everytime I drove regardless of driving conditions. Also I could not get into diagnostic mode - fixed sensor and problem gone with diagnostic mode now working.

[SiR_RB]

sorry to dig up and old thread...

ive got the same problem as above after about 10mins of driving my hicas light would come on and stay on until i turn the car off then on again

now its goes on then off straight away and does so every 5mins or so of driving

i have an aftermarket steering wheel...

question is, what do i do to the steering angle sensor? where is it? what does it look like?

any tips on how to fix this would be great

thanks

[jrm]

First do a diagnostic - if you cant even get into the diagnostic (it involves turning the steering wheel), then maybe consider looking at the steering angle sensor. There are specific threads on diagnosing HICAS - use search.

[SiR_RB]

yeh i no but im asking where abouts is the steering angle sensor? obviously behind the steering wheel, anyone got pics or a step by step instructions for accesing it/cleaning it etc

[R.C]

yeh i no but im asking where abouts is the steering angle sensor? obviously behind the steering wheel, anyone got pics or a step by step instructions for accesing it/cleaning it etc

Yes, it is behind the steering wheel.

It's been a few years since I took it off, but from memory there are a couple of plastic caps on the steering surround that cover up the bolts. Unclip them with a flat head screwdriver, then you need a tamper proof torx driver to undo the steering wheel.

You should disconnect the battery before you tamper with anything so the airbag doesn't accidentally go off.

There should be a disc type sensor arrangement with a wiring harness plugged into it on the back side of the steering wheel (this is the steering angle sensor), can't remember if it's mounted to the steering wheel itself or the surrounding housing.

[Jaredo]

The steering angle sensor is mounted to the surrounding housing that the indicator stalk in on - 4 screws. The harness is on the bottom left if your looking at the wheel. The horn also plugs into the front of it.

There's two little screws at the bottom facing you that lets you remove the sensor circuitry . If you pop the bottom cover off you can get to the circuit board and you can then pop the board out.

[R 2 THE J]

@Jaredo.

What happens if you pull the circuit board out?

Is that the same as cancelling the HICAS?

cas i/m guessing if you take the sensor out the HICAS won'e work?

Correct me if im wrong.

RJ

[kila32]

hey just wanted to know if you have an aftermarket steering wheel and the HICAS light comes on does this stop the system from working, ie a quick and easier way of talking of the HICAS.

[starscream_r32]

hey just wanted to know if you have an aftermarket steering wheel and the HICAS light comes on does this stop the system from working, ie a quick and easier way of talking of the HICAS.

anyone able to answer the above question?

i have the same issue!

just purchased a r32 and hicas light is on.

owner said it's cos of the aftermarket steering wheel.

isit ok to leave it like that? won't create any problems?

just simply means hicas is disabled?

THANKS!

[jrm]

anyone able to answer the above question?

i have the same issue!

just purchased a r32 and hicas light is on.

owner said it's cos of the aftermarket steering wheel.

isit ok to leave it like that? won't create any problems?

just simply means hicas is disabled?

THANKS!

If you use a HICAS-capable boss kit, this would mate up to the steering sensor and not have an issue with HICAS (or the light).

I would argue you *will* have issues with the hicas being disabled - though I'm not sure how the HICAS system will fail on each car. For instance, if you pull the HICAS fuse in most cases, it will cause the light - but the rear steering rack will be let 'loose' and not lock the wheels straight ahead (which will cause a very unpredictable rear end) - and if it's driven like that too long will require the rear steering-rack to be replaced ... (I know this from experience..)