Hicas Problems

[elboro]

Hey

Here's the story,

I was driving yesterday avo in my R32 GTR when suddenly the HICAS light came on and my steering became heavy. At the time i was going around a round about, i dont know if doing that tight turn might have triggered something. Also as long as i have had the car the HICAS light would only come on when i am traveling over 100km/h for more than 10 minutes, im not sure why, but obviously this was going to happen sooner or later.

I have seen HICAS lock bars advertised and that might be the way to go but it wont fix whatever is goin on with my steering.

Im sure im not the first person to experience this problem, so if anyone on here knows what can be done to fix this could you please help me out.

thanks, ElBoRo.

[Hoju]

Hey

Here's the story,

I was driving yesterday avo in my R32 GTR when suddenly the HICAS light came on and my steering became heavy. At the time i was going around a round about, i dont know if doing that tight turn might have triggered something. Also as long as i have had the car the HICAS light would only come on when i am traveling over 100km/h for more than 10 minutes, im not sure why, but obviously this was going to happen sooner or later.

I have seen HICAS lock bars advertised and that might be the way to go but it wont fix whatever is goin on with my steering.

Im sure im not the first person to experience this problem, so if anyone on here knows what can be done to fix this could you please help me out.

thanks, ElBoRo.

I had the same problem in my R32 Gts t but but my speedo cable had broke replaced it no problems after that.

[elboro]

oh ok, thanks for the reply.

If that had happened to me would my speedo work? because it does.

[Kinks]

The same symptoms will happen if the HICAS unit in the boot is unplugged. Try re-seating the connector (unplug it and plug it back in again with the car off) and see what happens.

The HICAS and power steering are related so a problem with one will affect the other sometimes.

[Hoju]

oh ok, thanks for the reply.

If that had happened to me would my speedo work? because it does.

No. My speedo was not working.

[White GTS-T]

The same thing happened to me last night. While i was driving along in my 32 the speedo suddenly dropped down to zero, the Hicas came on permanently and my steering became super stiff. I've heard a few instances of this with 32's, it seems to be quite common. But what i'm wondering is where did you get your replacement speedo cable from and how difficult was it to install.

Cheers, Tim.

[lou34]

hi guys just new here.but what is HICAS?whats it do?

[julion]

HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension) is Nissan's rear wheel steering system found on cars ranging from the more recent Skyline and Z iterations to smaller models like the 240SX/180SX. It is also found on models from Nissan's Infiniti division, such as the Q45 and the M45/M35. Unlike other four wheel steering systems, HICAS and Super HICAS is fitted to improve handling rather than as a parking aid.

Earlier HICAS versions used hydraulics to steer the rear wheels. The hydraulic system was powered by the power steering pump and used speed sensors to determine how much and which direction to steer the rear wheels. Later versions, called Super HICAS, moved to an electric actuator for the rear steering rack, making the system much lighter. The Super HICAS system also used its own computer to control the system insted of speed sensors. HICAS and Super HICAS rear wheel steering is limited to about 1 degree in either direction.

HICAS was introduced on the 1986 Skyline GTS coupes (GTS, GTS-R, and GTS-X). The system was later adaped to work on many models in the Nissan range, beginning with the Passage GT.

[lou34]

thanks julion for the info ......

[Hoju]

The same thing happened to me last night. While i was driving along in my 32 the speedo suddenly dropped down to zero, the Hicas came on permanently and my steering became super stiff. I've heard a few instances of this with 32's, it seems to be quite common. But what i'm wondering is where did you get your replacement speedo cable from and how difficult was it to install.

Cheers, Tim.

I got my speedo cable from nissan. About $110 Time 40min not to hard.

[White GTS-T]

Hmm, thanks Hoju. Price seems a bit steep though, i might try and get one from nisswreck maybe...

[GTRgeoff]

Given the original symptoms, I'm amazed no-one has suggested the basic old check your fluid level in the power steering res. Operates both steering and HICAS in 32's and 180/Silvia and is the first point of inspection. Then you go over the connectors for the electrics in the system, or maybe even do a diagnostic. Search to find the method used to go into diagnostic mode.

Hope that helps.

[GTsauRus]

Given the original symptoms, I'm amazed no-one has suggested the basic old check your fluid level in the power steering res. Operates both steering and HICAS in 32's and 180/Silvia and is the first point of inspection. Then you go over the connectors for the electrics in the system, or maybe even do a diagnostic. Search to find the method used to go into diagnostic mode.

Hope that helps.

the level is a good place to start but all the level switch does is turn the light on it doesnt cause an ecu error so you wouldnt get heavy steering unless all the fluid suddenly disappeared.

The ten minute at 100k is actually 10mins without the ecu recieving the straight ahead signal from the steering angle sensor in the steering column. it only happens on the highway when not any doing sharp turns for over 10 minutes.

you may have an aftermarket wheel with the incorrect boss kit or like my car had an early model gtr with a late model gtr wheel with the steering angle locating boss in a different position so the straight ahead position is actually 60 degrees left.

keith

[White GTS-T]

I just went out to a mates house and picked up a cable from a half cut for $50. How the hell are you suposed to fit it in 40 mins? Dont you have to take the dash off???

[Hoju]

I just went out to a mates house and picked up a cable from a half cut for $50. How the hell are you suposed to fit it in 40 mins? Dont you have to take the dash off???

Just unscrew the black surround disconnect all the plugs, then unscrew the instrument cluster 4 screws i think, and just pull it away piss easy.

Brand new $110 i think is cheap considering it will last about 10 years or over.

[jaceR33]

Hi everyone,

I need help!! I've had my R33 for six weeks now and have only driven it for a week because of this problem: The HICAS light appears and the steering becomes very stiff. I have to pull over to the side of the road, turn off the engine and then start it back up, then it appears to be OK for another 5 minutes until it happens again. So far I've had this problem for over 15 times and have taken it to three different mechanics and auto-electricians and no-one could really figure out what was wrong with it. We had to pay over $1000 because we got the ecu fixed and thought that it would eliminate the problem but happened again two days later. I had no clue about HICAS until I researched it on the internet.

Recent problem I have experienced, is when the engine is running, but I'm not driving the car, it sound like the engine cuts off, then starts up again even though the car hasn't turned off. How do I fix this problem and how much will this cost me?

Thanks,

JaceR33

[Nozila]

jsut out of curiosity, how do you fix a ecu?

[White GTS-T]

Ok i stand corrected. I got the job done in a bit over an hour, no real hassles. But with my last speedo cable the speedo used to "bouce" a little between 0-30kmph. Now it bounces vigerously until 60kmph! Is this due to improper installation or should've i just bought a new one from the beggining and saved myself the hassle i.e. did i just waste $50. God it's annoying.

[GTsauRus]

Hi everyone,

I need help!! I've had my R33 for six weeks now and have only driven it for a week because of this problem: The HICAS light appears and the steering becomes very stiff. I have to pull over to the side of the road, turn off the engine and then start it back up, then it appears to be OK for another 5 minutes until it happens again. So far I've had this problem for over 15 times and have taken it to three different mechanics and auto-electricians and no-one could really figure out what was wrong with it. We had to pay over $1000 because we got the ecu fixed and thought that it would eliminate the problem but happened again two days later. I had no clue about HICAS until I researched it on the internet.

Recent problem I have experienced, is when the engine is running, but I'm not driving the car, it sound like the engine cuts off, then starts up again even though the car hasn't turned off. How do I fix this problem and how much will this cost me?

Thanks,

JaceR33

does this only happen on straight roads ?

[Hoju]

Ok i stand corrected. I got the job done in a bit over an hour, no real hassles. But with my last speedo cable the speedo used to "bouce" a little between 0-30kmph. Now it bounces vigerously until 60kmph! Is this due to improper installation or should've i just bought a new one from the beggining and saved myself the hassle i.e. did i just waste $50. God it's annoying.

I don't think you installed it wrong. But for an extra $60 you would have a brand new speedo cable.

not a half shagged one.Which it sounds like it will have to be replaced soon.