Hicas light with heavy steering R33

[Futura]

Well my hicas light came on this week. It came on after a prolonged highway drive, turned the car off for a half hour and when I turned it back on the HICAS light came on and the steering was a little heavy.

Every once and a while the light goes off and the power steering is returned to normal.

So far I've:
-topped off the power steering fluid
-disconnected the battery for 10 minutes to reset everything
-checked fuses (they're fine)

There is all sorts threads on this on the intraweb but after reading I'm still baffled as to my next steps.

I'm leaning towards the lockout bar and get that damn HICAS off the car but if I do that I don't think my steering will return to normal.

Has anyone been down this road? Remember we're talking about a 1993 R33 GTS-T with an electric HICAS.

[DarkCaporaL]

Did you try checking for codes on the HICAS ECU?

[Tap56]

<EDIT> I'm a moron who did not read the entire post.... <EDIT>

[Futura]

Did you try checking for codes on the HICAS ECU?

I wish I could. I have not been able to get my car into HICAS diagnostic. I have heard its hard to get the 1993 R33 into HICAS diagnostic. I tried to do it about 20 times and got too pissed off to continue.

I'm pretty sure I'm taking the HICAS off and putting a lock out bar on anyways.

[Skym]

Steering angle sensor problem behind steering wheel due to wrong boss kit or sensor is faulty, low fluid in resouvoir, HICAS ECU problem. Just some of the things it can be.

R3325T has a separate HICAS setup in the rear. I think R33 HICAS is electric vs fluid driven with R32 that uses powersteering fluid from resouvoir in engine bay.

[Futura]

Steering angle sensor problem behind steering wheel due to wrong boss kit or sensor is faulty, low fluid in resouvoir, HICAS ECU problem. Just some of the things it can be.

R3325T has a separate HICAS setup in the rear. I think R33 HICAS is electric vs fluid driven with R32 that uses powersteering fluid from resouvoir in engine bay.

To add to your list I've read a HICAS light can also be from not enough juice from a sketchy alternator or a bad battery, therefore the causes,

1. power steering fluid level
2. steering angle sensor
3. HICAS ECU
4. alternator
5. battery
6. Ground wire on the HICAS unit
7. Blown fuse

I'll try and get it into HICAS diagnostic and see what codes it offers up.

I'm more interested in somebody who was facing a HICAS light and heavy steering who put in a HICAS lockout bar. When you did this did your steering return to normal or did the heavy steering remain?

[Skym]

Heavy steering is when HICAS ECU goes into limp mode. Locking HICAS probably won't fix the problem, as it's ECU related.

I had this heavy steering problem on my car (R32) and had to change HICAS ECU due to water entered HICAS ECU (from boot not being closed enough) and damaged HICAS ECU. Fitted another HICAS ECU and turned it upside down, so water couldn't enter breather holes and haven't had a problem with it since then. Also found that GTR, GTS have different HICAS ECU's.

[Futura]

I also found this as a possible cause to add to the list of things to check out.


"A more probable cause to the problem mate (having worked around many Hicas equipped cars over the years) Would be that a earth wire has come loose (which I suspect is the case) or Jax Quitfit f**ked it somehow when they did the balance on the tires.

I suggest jacking the rear end of the car up mate, and if you drop the 2 10mm bolts either side of the linkage it will swing down, there you will be faced with 2 21-23mm bolts holding the diff into the rear cradle, what I suggest checking is that the HICAS earth is still connected to the left bolt, if it isn't re-connect it, I dare say this is your problem!"

[SpartanAir]

LOCK IT OUT...

HICAS problems are not worth your time or money to diagnose...Skylines are just as much fun without the minimal difference HICAS makes to your driving. Save yourself the headache. I've been there.

To think of what I could have done with the $$$ I spent on diagnosing HICAS wiring issues...

[Futura]

LOCK IT OUT...

HICAS problems are not worth your time or money to diagnose...Skylines are just as much fun without the minimal difference HICAS makes to your driving. Save yourself the headache. I've been there.

To think of what I could have done with the $$$ I spent on diagnosing HICAS wiring issues...

Same conclusion I've come to but my question is, when I remove the HICAS and put in a bar and/or lock out the HICAS with the Tomei electronic box and discs will my power steering come back.

I now have the HICAS light on all the time and the steering is heavy. Let me correct that, not heavy, I'd say medium, and it actually makes the car feel more honest, less like a luxury car and more like a sports car so maybe it does not matter if the full power steering comes back ever.

[christdeyoung]

I have this problem with my R32 GT-R at the moment...will driving in limp mode hurt any of the power steering gear for the front end? (Cancelling HICAS soon)

[Skym]

As far as I know it's the HICAS solenoid in engine bay (next to / just behind battery) that can affect powersteering weight, movement of HICAS rack on R32. It's controlled by the HICAS ECU.

It might affect front steering rack as well, as powersteering pump is a dual stage pump (HICAS pump in rear of powersteering pump and front powersteering pump in front of powersteering pump). So both front and rear racks probably would be affected at the same time.

R33 powersteering pump is a single stage powersteering pump, so front powersteering rack is affected, not HICAS rack in the rear. R33 has a separate HICAS system in the rear that can be disabled electronically and via HICAS lockbar.

[Chewy]

my hicas is locked out, plugged barred, and lines removed right up to the engine bay. Hicas light is always on, steering is light and nimble.

[dah_hunter]

I find every R33 i drive, if you drive it hard with some corners the HICAS light comes on..

So far its about 9 R33.. that all have done the same thing..

sometimes it happeneds with R32.. but R33 is more frequent..

(Just figured i would mention that no comment on a solution from me.)

(LOCK IT OUT)

That is all.

[cozmosland]

iv taken some hard corners in my r33 and the light hasnt turned on.... yet