Hit Curb, Hicas Light Now On...

[KrazyKong]

To cut a long story short, the other day I scrapped a curb trying to cut onto a roundabout. Both the lefthand side wheels hit, causing the car to lurch out, and feel like I had run over something, or someone had put on he brakes.

Took the car to a mechanic the next day and they visually inspected underneath. Nothing appeared out of place. Then took it to the tyre guy and was advised to get a full 4 wheel alignment which I did.

Fast forward a week or two, and since then no problems. However today while driving I notice the HICAS light turns on and stays on. Once I get to where I'm going I turn the car off. Then immediately turn it back on, and the light does not come on.

My head is spinning at the moment, rough day at work, havn't been paid for weeks and then this happens. I've tried reading a little on the HICAS, but wanted to ask my specific question as I have no idea what's going on.

Did my slapping the curb cause this? or does my bad car karma continue yet again. I'm not one for coincidences so feel either hte alignment did something, as I saw them tightening things under the rear axle, or who knows.

I might implode in a moment. Still havn't had lunch yet today. Arrrrh.

[nicr4wks]

HICAS Diagnostic Mode

There is a HICAS warning light in the instrument cluster. If it comes, on it is indicative of a problem.

R32: Check the HICAS oil level (power steering reservoir in some models, or a remote reservoir accessible from the boot)

R32 and R33: Check all HICAS electrical connections, and if the light remains on, follow the diagnostic below.

Note that having an aftermarket steering wheel fitted without the appropriate HICAS boss adaptor can also cause the HICAS system to show a fault.

Switch ignition off, transmission in neutral or auto in Park.

Start engine

Very quickly (with a couple of seconds), turn the steering wheel left and right about 20 degrees from centre five times, and then pump the brakes five times, then press the brake pedal once more this will enter diagnostic mode.

Drive forwards or backwards about 5 metres at a speed less than 10km/hr, this will enter full diagnostic mode.

The HICAS light in the instrument cluster will be flashing quickly (for normal) or will flash a code indicating any problems.

Long flash = first digit, short flash = second digit.

Diagnostics will return to normal after five minutes, or any speed over 10km/hr,

or ignition is turned off.

HICAS Diagnostic Codes 1989-1993

1 HICAS solenoid right hand

2 HICAS solenoid left hand

3 Cut off valve

4 Power steering solenoid

5 Vehicle speed sensor

6 Steering angle sensor

7 Neutral position sensor

8 (Auto) Parking brake sensor, (Manual) Clutch sensor

9 (Auto) Inhibitor switch, (Manual) Neutral sensor

HICAS Diagnostic Codes 1993-1999

11 HICAS control unit

12 HICAS motor power supply not present

13 HICAS motor output not present

21 Vehicle speed sensor not present

22 Steering angle sensor not present

23 Steering angle sensor neutral or not present

24 Rear main sensor input not present

25 Rear sub sensor input not present

31 Parking brake sensor input not present

32 (Auto) Inhibitor switch input not present; (Manual) Neutral switch input not present

33 Engine speed signal not present

[KrazyKong]

nicr4wks, thanks for this info. I haven't had a chance to try this yet. However since first posting about this, the HICAS light hasn't come on again.

I went on a car cruise yesterday and drove almost 400kms and no problems. Also connected a consult cable to my car using Nissan Data Scan and checked for any fault codes. It said no faults found, and everything else seemed in order.

If the HICAS light comes on again, I'll run the diagnostic mode and cross my fingers for the best I think.

[Munkyb0y]

it might not be related to the curb incident.

my hicas light used to come on randomly all the time. then my steering starting getting heavy at random intervals too. then eventually the steering was heavy almost all the time.

i already had a hicas lock bar installed. so i swapped out the steering position sensor, and the hicas ecu in the boot. turned out to be the hicas ecu was the problem. all good now.

Edited April 3, 2011 by Munkyb0y

[mosquitocoils]

Driving even 30 kms on the highway for me will sometimes cause my HICAS light to turn on - if it's straight enough

[TJHill]

Yea I have a HICAS light with a mind of its own also.