Hicas Savvy Workshops...

[jrm]

are you sure about that? im pretty sure obd scantech has a hicas section, and its definitely free (it used to be $$$)

S-HICAS is on this screenshot: http://techdiag.co.uk/obdscantech/web/pg000/5_00/startup.jpg

This looks pretty similar to one of the tools I've tried out, and it wasn't able to do anything with my HICAS (R34 GT-T).

I have had Main North Nissan diagnose the problem I'm having (HICAS steering angle all out of whack - boy that can be fun to drive with!) but unfortunately they claimed not to have the appropriate tools to do all of the required work to fix it (apparently their technical told me the 'fix' for my HICAS woes would require removal of steering wheel, re-alignment of steering wheel in-line with HICAS saying 0deg steering angle, and then ripping open the steering rack, straightening this, and then doing a complete alignment, etc).

[NewKleer]

ive never had a hicas car to try (perhaps it only works on the earlier hicas?)

does the full conzult (z32) work on other vehicles? blazt sells it for $189US, not sure where the $600 figure came from

[Dohmar]

ive never had a hicas car to try (perhaps it only works on the earlier hicas?)

does the full conzult (z32) work on other vehicles? blazt sells it for $189US, not sure where the $600 figure came from

Thats for the software for Conzult Z32. It doesnt include Conzult SX (for Skylines etc) and the cable itself.

Will look for this OBD scantech. If it does the HICAS diags, I won't bother with Conzult.

Re: Steering angle, do you have a boss kit and aftermarket steering wheel or the original OEM?

The steering angle sensor is located in the steering column, its a little white module with a cluster plug in the back. If its out of alignment, you'd need to get the car on a hoist, set the steering wheel to zero and then disconnect the battery - as far as I know, that would be all thats required to recalibrate the sensor. Could be wrong tho - Im sure if you had the hicas software that any decent wheel alignment shop could assist you.

-D

[NewKleer]

http://techdiag.co.uk/obdscantech/web/pg002.html is scantech link

i remember seeing a matrix somewhere of support for different ancillary systems via consult, and some of them (hicas probably) only had consult support on the Z32 and GTR - not on the mainstream models.

[Dohmar]

http://techdiag.co.uk/obdscantech/web/pg002.html is scantech link

i remember seeing a matrix somewhere of support for different ancillary systems via consult, and some of them (hicas probably) only had consult support on the Z32 and GTR - not on the mainstream models.

Yeah Ive just downloaded it and installed onto my laptop, thx for the link... now to get myself an ODB usb connector. Think I might call PLMS tomorrow and see if they have any around... as long as it does the HICAS diags on my GTR it'll keep me happy.

-D

[jrm]

Re: Steering angle, do you have a boss kit and aftermarket steering wheel or the original OEM?

The steering angle sensor is located in the steering column, its a little white module with a cluster plug in the back. If its out of alignment, you'd need to get the car on a hoist, set the steering wheel to zero and then disconnect the battery - as far as I know, that would be all thats required to recalibrate the sensor. Could be wrong tho - Im sure if you had the hicas software that any decent wheel alignment shop could assist you.

I have just a regular OEM steering wheel; The funny thing is the HICAS was fine for at least 12-15 months after I bought the car and then just went a bit funny and then got progressively worse (though I didn't realise what it was at the time). What alerted me to the problem in the end was on a drive to Melbourne and found that as soon as I got above about 70kph (not something I generally do on the street in daily driving) that the steering wheel slowly 'rolled over' one direction and then when I hit about 110 it would 'snap back' (as the HICAS disengaged) - quite scary at those speeds! .. I had an inkling what it might be, quickly pulled over and ripped the HICAS fuse out and did the rest of the trip without it. On return, I took it to Nissan Main North and they diagnosed the steering wheel sensor out of alignment through their CONSULT, but couldn't offer to fix it as they didnt have the tools to do an alignment (or so they claimed).

Without the HICAS software to get me a clear 0 degrees on the steering wheel sensor, I can't really take it to a wheel alignment shop to get it resolved - whiich is where my dilemma is right now! From what I've read on these forums a 'Rory Thompson' can get HICAS lock bars engineered for a reasonable price, but I can't help but wonder if it wouldn't be better to just leave it as Nissan sold it. Apologies for thread hijacking!

- J

[Dohmar]

I have just a regular OEM steering wheel; The funny thing is the HICAS was fine for at least 12-15 months after I bought the car and then just went a bit funny and then got progressively worse (though I didn't realise what it was at the time). What alerted me to the problem in the end was on a drive to Melbourne and found that as soon as I got above about 70kph (not something I generally do on the street in daily driving) that the steering wheel slowly 'rolled over' one direction and then when I hit about 110 it would 'snap back' (as the HICAS disengaged) - quite scary at those speeds! .. I had an inkling what it might be, quickly pulled over and ripped the HICAS fuse out and did the rest of the trip without it. On return, I took it to Nissan Main North and they diagnosed the steering wheel sensor out of alignment through their CONSULT, but couldn't offer to fix it as they didnt have the tools to do an alignment (or so they claimed).

Without the HICAS software to get me a clear 0 degrees on the steering wheel sensor, I can't really take it to a wheel alignment shop to get it resolved - whiich is where my dilemma is right now! From what I've read on these forums a 'Rory Thompson' can get HICAS lock bars engineered for a reasonable price, but I can't help but wonder if it wouldn't be better to just leave it as Nissan sold it. Apologies for thread hijacking!

- J

I'm all for keeping the OEM equipment functioning as the manufacturer intended. That said, I'm surprised you need software to set the steering angle to 0. I've not heard of that before but it might be an ODBII/r34 specific issue.... would be nice to have a stickied thread about HICAS repairs, considering there are so many resources out there but no central location for reference

-D