Low tire pressure indicator kept coming on - but it then disappeared after this !

If you all have been following this blog at all or read the initial post about the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor) you'll know how frustrated i felt that when I filled the tires to the recommended 33 PSI, and drove above 20 MPH , the TPMS light still didn't turn off on the Nissan Rogue 2009.

Additionally, I also noticed across the web how a lot of people mentioned replacing the TPMS as an option. At that time I didn't feel that it was worth the hassle to order the factory-original parts and pay for labor cost to replace one or more of the TPMS monitors (one per wheel).


Well recently I decided to get a general inspection done at the Nissan Service center, and as part of the process they apparently reset the "clock" on the onboard computer after diagnostic-pass. When I got the car back, to my big surprise the TMPS warning light was off...and stayed off!!

Turns out that the service center mechanic while doing his 25  point inspection, filled up the tires to about 37 PSI, and reset the clock (which I have done myself before). And BOOM, no TPMS low tire sensor light. ever.


Whod'a thunk?

Lemme tell ya, having no lights on in the dash sure is a thing of beaty :-)

VDC OFF and SLIP lights on - installing a new steering angle sensor (part 47945-JD00A)

Well my friends, someone here no longer sees the VDC OFF and SLIP ON lights after ignition. Steering angle sensor is now replaced successfully!

Here's the sensor box from factory. it cost somewhere between 2~300.

Opening the box, we find the sensor part. As you can see, it pretty much aligns with the steering portion, indicating that the steering wheel has to be removed in order to install this piece

One one side we can see theres the port for an interface wire, which probably connects to power + central computer unit of the car, feeding information to the VDC unit like steering rate of turn, direction, etc.

The whole installation can be done by one person in around 45 minutes. Unfortunately, couldn't stick around to take pictures of the installation, but what can you do, can't have it all I suppose.


The good news is ... right after the install was done, and the sensor reprogrammed with the centered steering wheel (same idea as zeroing a weighted scale), the problem was solved.

Now after ignition and wheel turn, the VDC startup sequence no longer detects an error from the wheel angle sensor and it no longer shuts down the VDC /ABS.

The mechanic did mention that in some very rare cases if the problem still persisted, it might be because the wheel was misaligned and therefore the wheel alignment would be necessary. Clearly not required in this case. But still sharing that tidbit in case it helps you.

I found this whole experience very interesting although slightly costly, if you have any questions let me know Id be happy to help if i can.

Time to take some highway ramps at high speed :-)

VDC OFF and SLIP lights on - using the Nissan Service center diagnostic to determine root cause

Good news and bad news!

GOOD NEWS:

 the reason why the VDC OFF and SLIP ON lights are coming on...are for what i suspected it to be (check out the last article to see a list of possible suspects I tried to eliminate, your case might be something simpler like one of the  brake lights is out... )

BAD NEWS

 being right meant I had to fork over some cash to get the system diagnosedby the Nissan Service center . Here is that tool that the mechanic used. Doesn't look much different from a regular reader, except it could read codes that my OBDII reader couldnt. Whats surprising is that according to Nissan tech manuals, the OBCII should have been able to read the code C1143 (steering angle sensor circuit is open), but for whatever reason, mine failed to find any problems. Anyways heres an image of the tool the guy used:

I wonder whether I should upgrade the software Im using with my OBDII interface cable. Could be that. I'll look into this more later.


RECAP - The SYMPTOMS:

1) Ignition on
2) Turn steering wheel
3) VDC system disengages with a whirring noise
4) the VDC OFF and SLIP ON lights come on simultaneously.

So turns out... it was a STEERING ANGLE SENSOR issue after all. For whatever reason (maybe misfiring, maybe worn out, maybe ... whatever) this sensor is not working, its located (as the name implies) by the steering wheel, and reads when the steering wheel is turned, what rate is the turn, etc. Essentially, this feeds information to the VDC system to control individual wheel braking to bring vehicle under control when wheelspin or slip is detected. Normally the chances of this happening are higher when the road is slippery (rain, ice) and you are applying quick acceleration with a turn (changing lanes high speed, accelerating onto highway off of ramp).

As I mentioned earlier, Ive been driving carefully to avoid these two conditions, but after a while you want to just drive without paying so much attention, so Ive decided to get this fixed.

THE FIX - THE CO$T

I have to get the part ordered from the Service center. Here's a picture of the part number if you want to look up the price and availability for yourself. Thats $ right there.

Then , Ive got to pay for installation labor - which requires some form of steering wheel dismantling. Another bunch of $ there.

Finally, with a new sensor install, I'm going to need a wheel alignment.The service center will charge another bunch of $ there. Looks like i didn't need a wheel alignment after all

SAVING MONEY:

1. Find someone with access to or get yourself access to a Consult III tool, or some software thats not crap for OBDII code reads -  this will help you determine the real problem without forking money over for diagnostic to the service center 
2. See if you can find the sensor part cheaper . I havent figured out how to do this yet
3. Find someone who can do sensor installs cheaper - i may have found someone to help me with this KA CHING
4. Learn to do wheel alignments or find someone who can do this cheaper - its really just a matter of connecting the tool and aligning the wheel straight and reprogramming. How sad is that? Don't need this after all.. at least not for this job.

I'll report back once these upgrades are complete.