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:
I'll report back once these upgrades are complete.
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.
SAVING MONEY:
- 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
- See if you can find the sensor part cheaper . I havent figured out how to do this yet
- Find someone who can do sensor installs cheaper - i may have found someone to help me with this KA CHING
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.
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