All four wheels blocked (brakes)

[dimitrios]

Hi, bought a collision 2009 Rogue, with very little damage, we just had to replace the engine support. Now car is like new. However: all 4 wheels are locked as like you were pressing the brakes. We released brake fluid pressure from one of the calipers, then all wheels are free. As soon as we start the engine, all calipers are pressurized and wheels blocked. If we turn of engine, still blocked, but would release itself after about 15 minutes, then all wheels are free again. When wheels block, the VDC light in the instrument panel lights up. We used justanswer.com expert TIM who awas sure it was the brake master cylinder, which we bought, but to no avail. Who can help me please?
Modified by dimitrios at 4:50 PM 1/29/2010

[philipa_240sx]

You have a serious issue with the ABS/VDC system. Buy/rent/borrow an OBDII scan tool, arm yourself with the service manual, and start to decipher the diagnostic codes.

Here are the service manuals to get you started:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Rogue/

[dimitrios]

Thanks! The manual surely comes in handy.I have a OBDII scan tool, but there are no DTC's (Isn't that strange?)

Also, checking the car, there is no oil cooler present and in & outlet hoses from oil pump are joined....AND I understood our mechanic put Castrol Transmission fluid in the transmission, and I understood from a Nissan Mechanic (though justanswer.com) that by using other than the Nissan CVT Fluid, we basically messed up the transmission. Can that be? We never drove the car, just 4ft reverse and 4 ft in drive in the garage.(since it locks up anyway).So the questions really are:

1) Can it be that the wheels lock because of using other than Nissan CVT Transmission fluid? 2) Or because there is no oil cooler present? (but car doesnt heat up that fast from starting and trying).3) Do we really have to buy another transmission or could we just flush and try with the Nissan cvt fluid? (Nissan Mech says transmission is contaminated and needs to be replaced)

Hope anyone can help

[philipa_240sx]

1) Can it be that the wheels lock because of using other than Nissan CVT Transmission fluid?

Possibly.

Quote »2) Or because there is no oil cooler present? (but car doesnt heat up that fast from starting and trying).[/quote]If you are referring to the oil cooler that is normally located in front of the rad, you should be fine without it.

Quote »3) Do we really have to buy another transmission or could we just flush and try with the Nissan cvt fluid? (Nissan Mech says transmission is contaminated and needs to be replaced)[/quote]Nissan will not cover any transmission issues unless genuine Nissan CVT fluid is used. You have basically voided the warranty for the transmission now. Nissan CVT fluid is specially formulated to allow the CVT belt to work properly and prevent transmission wear. AFAIK, there is NO substitute for it on the market.

You can try to flush the transmission using new CVT fluid. Worst case, the transmission may eventually fail. With some luck, you might get it working for awhile.

My next best guess for brakes locking up is a defective master cylinder or brake booster. An improperly adjusted M/C will cause the brakes to be applied prematurely.This may not show any DTC codes either.

[dimitrios]

Thanks, I was looking through the service manual, and it seems some Rogues, do and some don't have the CVT Fluid cooler. So, this should not be an issue. We're going to try and flush the transmission and get the Nissan CVT fluid (expensive!)

[kerrton]

Good luck,

Hopefully the new fluid will allow your CVT to at least function for a little while, and if it does end up failing later on perhaps it'll slide it through on warranty coverage.

As for the brakes, this still sounds like a pretty significant problem and I'd say take it to a service shop, but I guess with the brakes seized it's kinda hard to get it to the shop!

Let us know how this works out please, good luck!