Hicas/power Steering Going Crazy!

[rekoyl116]

okay, so i know no one wants to hear about peoples hicas issues because everyone seems to have them, but mines different to anything i can find on the web.

when i bought the car, the previous owner let me know that it was a bit dicked.

originally i would start the car, id have power steering for about a minute, then it would go stiff (limp mode?), and then within 30 mins my hicas light would come on (and off intermittently). i also had the issue of my AWD light coming on occasionally, and id never seen the torque gauge move.

ive changed nothing on the car since then (besides the drivers seat). the only thing thats changed recently as far as i can tell is the weather is alot cooler now.
about two weeks ago, i noticed my torque gauge start working and i can feel AWD working. now in the last 2 days my power steering seems to be working 70% of the time.

if i chuck the car into a corner hard, power steering will begin working as usual. it will cut out for random periods after that, or even semi work, as in it feels slightly firm.

Im confused as f**k, and im wondering if AWD engaging is somehow kicking my power steering out of limp mode?

ive never been able to get the car into diagnostics mode which led me to believe the steering angle sensor was at fault, but now i have no idea. all this shit seems completely random and its frustrating to drive.

i dont want to lock it out, i like it (when it works) and yes ive checked fluid levels lol.

so any ideas as to what bullshit is going on here? much appreciated you guys

[niZmO_Man]

Shitty R32 electronics. At least yours isn't trying to kill you like mine is (random HICAS 'kicks', mid corner is dangerous sometimes hahah). Check all earths and what not in the arse end of the car. Put new neg terminal with new earth strap to engine block (from battery negative terminal). Has the fuel pump been rewired?

[rekoyl116]

haha, yeah i get the mid corner kicks too. to my knowledge fuel pump hasnt been touched. i do have fuel problems involving my fuel gauge but thats a whole different story lol.

ill look into the earthing for sure!

on cold starts in the morning my engine doesnt idle great because of bigger cams, i get the whole almost stalling thing where ur headlights n shit dim as it struggles to idle on take off. my steering goes stiff for those couple seconds while the pump isnt getting full power. is that normal? i feel like it should all be primed and take a little bit for me to lose power steering. not sure how it works but thats my assumption..? f**ked pwr steering pump? might be a dumb question haha

Edited May 6, 2014 by rekoyl116

[niZmO_Man]

Bump the idle up?

[thebawse]

+1 for earthing. I recently repositioned and tightened up my battery terminals and earthing points for the same reasons as you (dimming lights, idle hunting etc) and noticed a big improvement straight away. You might, like me, even consider upgrading to 2 or 0ga battery cables.

I'm not familiar with R32 mechanical HICAS but I had issues similar to you on my R33 and ended up locking it out. I'm sure it is a good system when it's working well but I could be fcked with it.

[rekoyl116]

ill get onto the earthing when im back in perth, seems like a sensible thing to do. had some issues with my immobiliser not disarming tonight too which ill have to fix aswell. seems like this car has some proper electrical issues.

anyone else have ideas as to what the deal is with hicas?

[niZmO_Man]

Try opening up the computer (under the parcel shelf) and looking for a loose screw lol.