Hicas Solenoid Valve?

[GodziRRa]

Hello guys!

Just wondering... is the small cylinder thing that has a wire + socket on our steering gear called the Hicas Solenoid Valve? If so, with it disconnected cause any sort problems?

Thanks in advance!

[MKIV]

The common misunderstanding and rumor with the Hicas system is that "if I remove the fuse/pull the relay out, the Hicas will be temporarily disabled and I can continue driving normally (assuming it was malfunctioning).

This is false. (experienced this myself)
The two components of the Hicas system are mechanical and electrical (Hicss ECU in trunk). You must lock out the sway bushings in the rear to prevent them from turning, and then you must disable the ECU to prevent throwing codes.

Frankiman gave a great explanation on the steps required to do this in this thread.

HICAS Delete

1 - block the hicas's exit from the power steering pump, delete the pressure lines altogether
2 - block the hicas return line from the frontward selenoid to the p/s reservoir
3 - deleted frontward selenoid and all hydro lines going to the back actuator
4.1 - you can open the actuator and weld it solid from the inside, then realign the rear end
4.2 - you can delete the actuator by replacing it with a hicas lock bar, then realign the rear end
4.3 - you can delete the actuator AND the tie rods / tie rod ends by replacing the whole thing with an Hicas eliminator kit, , then realign the rear end
5 - take the gauge cluster off, remove the hicas warning light's buld
6 - remove the hicas ECU from the trunk
7 - win

Likewise, you can also call a local shop like RightDrive to do this, they have a pretty cool and affordable Tomei lock kit.

Good luck!

[GodziRRa]

Thanks MKIV!

Anyways, still haven't got a clue on this question- Will disconnecting the Power Steering Solenoid Valve create any sort of problems? Like hard steering? Like the one called "Fail-Safe" mode on w/c the Hicas ECU will make the steering feel between hard and soft since it does not sense the solenoid valve. True?