Ivi logo mobile

Hicas Four Wheel Steering : Self Diagnosis Procedure

Sean Morris Posted on July 16, 2020

Hicas self diganosis procedures and trouble codes for Nissan Skyline

Hicas is the term that the engineers at Nissan gave the four wheel steering system they developed. The Hicas system, also called Super Hicas, showed up in many Nissans, including the JDM R32, R33, and R34 GT-R. It also came on the USDM Nissan 240SX, and 300ZX.  You can see a chart showing the difference in several different four wheel steering (4ws) systems, including Hicas, and Super Hicas. 

Hicas self diganosis procedures and trouble codes for Nissan Skyline

The original purpose was to help with handling, and even low speed maneuvering. At higher speeds the rear wheels turn in the direction of the front wheels, making things like lane changes a little easier. At low speeds they turn counter, allowing the vehicle to have a tighter turning radius.

Hicas self diganosis procedures and trouble codes for Nissan Skyline

If you are having issues with your HICAS system, such as a trouble light in the dash, or heavy steering, here are the procedures for self diagnosis.  These are 25 to 30 year old computer systems, so they don't pick up every fault or issue with the system. However knowing the codes, if any will certainly aid in troubleshooting.  It is common to remove, lockout, or delete Super Hicas.  A bad alignment, the wrong steering wheel, the speedometer not working, and a low fluid level can all trigger Hicas lights. We also commonly see Hicas lights on cars that have a failing alternator. If you only see it under certain conditions, but then goes away. 

R32 GT-R Hicas Diagnostic


Self-diagnosis procedure

a) Input starting conditions for self diagnosis
1) Turn ignition switch "OFF"
2 M/T : Set shift lever to netural
   A/T : Set shift lever to "P" or "N"
3)Start engine
4)Turn steering wheel from left to right (at least 20 deg from the netural position) 5 times or more, then depress the foot brake pedal at least 5 times, all within 10 seconds after ignition switch has been turned "ON"

b)Input self-diagnosis item
1)Depress and release foot brake pedal
2)Turn steering wheel from left to right (at least 20 deg) from the neutral position.
3)M/T vehicles. Depress clutch and move shift lever to any gear other than neutral, and then return clutch and shift lever to original position
A/T vehicles. Disengage and engage parking brake lever. Move shift lever to any position other than netural or park, and return it to park
4) Move car at least 2-3 meters (7-10 feet) forward and proceed at an indicated speed of at least 1 mph in self diagnosis mode.

c)Self diagnosis codes - R32 GT-R
1) RH solenoid output
2) LH solenoid output
3)Fail-safe valve output
4)Power steering solenoid output
5) Vehicle speed signal
6) Steering angle sensor
7) Steering angle neutral signal
8) A/T parking brake signal, M/T clutch signal
9) A/T inhibitor signal, M/T neutral signal

Hicas self diganosis procedures and trouble codes for Nissan Skyline

d) Self diagnosis display pattern
1) When all systems are normal
     A) HICAS light flashes at 0.25 sec (4HZ) intervals
2) If fail-safe system was operated(fail safe valve is operating) when ignition switch was last turned OFF, fail safe items will be displayed in numerical order in modes indicated. After all items are displayed, display is repeated again. 

e) Cancelling self-diagnosis
Three methods
1)Turn ignition switch off, or
2)Drive over 19 mph, or
3)After 5 minutes, the self diagnosis procedure will automatically cancel.

Or alternatively if you have Nissan Datascan or a Consult tool, you can read and clear Hicas codes. Datascan also allows you to put the system into test mode. 

Nissan Consult Datascan for Nissan Skyline GT-R

 

R33 GT-R Hicas Diagnostic

R33 GT-R Hicas Self diagnosis procedures

Self Diagnostic Procedure 
1. Start the engine 
2. Within 10 seconds after turning the key to 'ON', start the engine, turn steering wheel from left to right 20 degrees from neutral 5 times or more times & pump the brakes 5 times. Then press the brake pedal again to enter the test mode.
Diagnostic Item Input 
1. Move the vehicle one or two meters at a very low speed
2. Turn the steering wheel more than 20 deg right to left once or more.
Diagnostic Item 

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

 
R34 GT-R Hicas Diagnostic

Nissan was determined to craft a GT car that could preform with sports cars.

Self Diagnostic Procedure 
1. Start the engine 
2. Within 10 seconds after turning the key to 'ON', start the engine, turn steering wheel from left to right 20 degrees from neutral 5 times or more times & pump the brakes 5 times. Then press the brake pedal again to enter the test mode.
Diagnostic Item Input 
1. Move the vehicle one or two meters at a very low speed
2. Turn the steering wheel more than 20 deg right to left once or more.
Diagnostic Item 

11 Control unit
12 Motor power supply
13 Motor output
21 Vehicle sped signal
22 Steering angle signal
23 Steering angle netural signal
24 Rear steering angle main sensor signal
25 Rear steering angle sub-sensor signal
33 Engine speed signal
41 Yaw rate signal
 
300ZX Procedure

Turbos come standard with High Capacity Actively Controlled Suspension, a fancy way to say 4 wheel steering. There's a visual diagnostic mode to check for problems in the HICAS functions. The 90-93 TTs have hydraulic HICAS running off the power steering pump, where '94+ utilizes electric actuators to handle the rear steering chores. Their codes are a little different, but the procedure is the same. It might required a few tries to make it work. Be persistent! 
Procedure:
1. Ignition switch 'off' manual tranny in neutral or A/T in 'P' 
2. Start the engine 
3. Within 10 seconds after turning the key to 'ON', start the engine, turn steering wheel from left to right 20 degrees from neutral 5 times or more times & pump the brakes 5 times. Then press the brake pedal again to enter the test mode. 
4. Turning the steering wheel left or right past 20 degrees from neutral will cause the rear wheels to turn slightly (~1 degree) (1.). 
5. Drive the car forward 15 feet under 9mph to enter the full diagnostic mode. 
6. The HICAS dash light will flash a code indicating any problems. Long flash is first digit, short flash is 2nd digit. 
7. Diagnostic mode is exited when: ignition is turned off, vehicle speed exceeds 9mph, or diagnostic has operated for 5 minutes. 

HICAS light codes for '90-'93:
1. HICAS solenoid R.H. 
2. HICAS solenoid L.H. 
3. Cut-off valve 
4. Power Steering solenoid 
5. Vehicle Speed sensor 
6. Steering angle sensor 
7. Steering Neutral positon sensor 
8. A/T: Parking Brake Sensor M/T: Clutch sensor 
9. A/T: Inhibitor sensor M/T: Neutral sensor 
HICAS light codes for '94-'99:
11. HICAS control unit 
12. HICAS motor power supply not present 
13. HICAS motor output not present 
21. Vehicle speed signal not present 
22. Steering angle sensor angle signal not present 
23. Steering angle sensor neutral not present 
24. Rear main sensor input not present 
25. Rear sub sensor input not present 
31. Parking brake sensor input not present 
32. Inhibitor switch (A/T) or nuetral switch (M/T) input not present 
33. Engine speed signal not present

 

More information:

Back to Blog