4Wd Light Now Permanently On

[Sage222]

Hi guys,

So as some of you are aware i had the intermittent 4WD light on my m35 since i got it. Used to come on about once a month. Though the last 2 weeks its every day. Just wondering should i care?

I am not really fussed if the car runs in 4WD or RWD mode as long as its not causing damage.

Does anyone know the root cause or where to start troubleshooting this issue? If it's an easy fix ill do it.

The only thing i have done recently is change the gearbox oil though i doubt that's related.

Appreciate your help gents.

[slippylotion]

Gearbox oil as you said isn't related. You really need to see what codes it's throwing up.

Even if it runs just rwd it still ends up wearing the clutch pack in the transfer case over time and you'll end up with a chatter and or vibration from it. With the attesa ets we have they can't be left in rwd mode permanately without transfer case damage. I've only found all this out while researching my attesa problem as I was going to leave it permanately rwd.

[Sage222]

So i need to do that Dash light error code thingie? ok will ill try that

[slippylotion]

No that's only the ECU fault codes. You need either an auto electrician or Nissan to scan it. Just someone that has a good scan tool to acces the 4wd section.

Edited June 29, 2012 by slippylotion

[Sage222]

damn.. anything i can buy? will a nissan dealer be able to do it? or do you know the name of the units that work? thanks for the info mate!

[scotty nm35]

Just drop the front shaft out for now, that way you won't be wearing the clutch packs. I would also unplug the attessa pump motor.

[KiwiRS4T]

damn.. anything i can buy? will a nissan dealer be able to do it? or do you know the name of the units that work? thanks for the info mate!

On the C34 Stagea the attessa ecu shows error codes via a flashing light. The only problem is that the attessa ecu is in the boot behind the lining and can't be seen!

[MADCAT]

I'm curious with this too!

I have a C34 that was originally auto but the previous owner pretty badly converted it to manual and slowly but surely we're fixing the crappy job he did (had to change the gear box after it died 2 weeks after buying the car, turns out he barely had any screws or bolts holding the bugger in!!)

But my AWD light will come on when I'm just sitting at the traffic lights? any causes for that, is it doing damage to my car?

My partner is a diesel mechanic / auto elec so we will eventually get around to fixing it but for now I'm just wondering if its doing any damage to the car?

[slippylotion]

Madcat it all depends on what fault code your getting but if it's switching the pump off then it will promote clutch pack wear in the transfer case as it won't have enough load on the clutches.

Like most things the quicker you get onto the problem the less wear/damage it will do.

[Sage222]

thanks scotty will do that. is that a semi permanent solution? or will i still have find the root cause?

[scotty nm35]

It depends if you like rwd...

I wouldn't want to leave it for more than a month or two, there was a fair bit of crap in the splined hole of mine when I decided to refit the shaft, took a while to clean out and regrease.

[Sage222]

RWD is fine by me. Dont need 4WD unless i go to the snow. Dont make enough grunt to use it daily

[Sage222]

i had a rare start without the 4WD light on the other night so took it for a thrash in the wet. Lots of 4wd kicking in. Been for 4 drives since and no more error!

I guess its true. use it or lose it

lol anyways hope it's gone will post again in a week or so.

[Sage222]

back again.. sigh.. oh well.. will find someone who can read the code.

[Sage222]

hmm.. now that the light is back to intermittent.. (usually happens every 4th start or so) will i be able to see the error on a scan tool? or does the 4WD light have to be on for it to register on the tool?

its quite odd. i am finding the gearbox change from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd to be pretty rough when the 4WD light is off (4WD is working). Though when the light is on (RWD only) the gearbox is smooth as silk.

Strange..

May consider changing it to RWD permanently.

[Aegats]

So what happened Sage222, did you find the error codes. Any updates?

[tchard]

Mine has come on for the first time this morning...

Mind you, it was bloody cold and I thought maybe the fluid was low and given the temp, even lower than usual.

Still best to get it scanned this week??

[Sage222]

Mine is still coming on.. every other day.. usually when its cold though not always.. Car still drives sweet either way though..

took it to Import Factory at Nunawading they told me there was an error though no error code.. (doesnt sound right does it?)

They said they cleared it and checked the points though next day it was back.. they also said it could be to do with the wheel size and rubber profile.. (really??)

I run ARX rims with 245 45 18.. seems close enough to factory to me.. though interestingly enough the light did come on around the time i changed the rubber on them from 235 50 18

not sure what to do now.. maybe just pull the drive shafts...

[scotty nm35]

Fags, they have no idea.

Go to Kewish, their reader will work. I have to drop mine in for a gearbox rebuild next week by the looks of it.

[zei20l]

there are parts floating around here, i have a unit but the accumulator is dead. the pump and motor are still fine