HICAS light and suspension question ('94 Q45t)

[MJC]

First off, I notice that whenever my car is started after sitting for a while (cold) the HICAS light will come on and stay on for a variable period of time (basically until the car nears operating temperature). I have been driving like this for a while, and it doesn't seem to have any adverse effects on the car, although I don't corner hard when the light is on. I was wondering if it is trying to tell me that a fluid is low, or if there was another issue I should be aware of. Any thoughts?

Also, my car has a rightward pull and a wobble in the front tires at speed. I think a simple alignment would correct this...and it is going in for one tomorrow morning. I do know though, that the car is now 12 years old and the bushings aren't in the best shape. I was considering buying tension rods and/or upper control arms or other suspension components. I was wondering what you all recommend as being the best parts to buy for the suspension of the G50? Thanks everyone in advance.

Regards,

Mark

Edit - I did search - But basically all I found was people saying the HICAS light was OK to drive with.
Modified by MJC at 10:39 AM 4/19/2006

[elwesso]

I bet its due to low fluid. There is a fluid sensor in the PS resovoir. Top it off with ATF and see if it goes away! I bet its way low!

[96Qowner]

I do know though, that the car is now 12 years old and the bushings aren't in the best shape. I was considering buying tension rods and/or upper control arms or other suspension components. I was wondering what you all recommend as being the best parts to buy for the suspension of the G50?

Definitely do the tension rod bushings - you'll notice a big improvement.

[Jeff Williams]

The upper links are usually what makes noises. They are about $90 each. The tension rod bushings are about $25 but require a press to insert.

You could beat them out, and beat new ones in, if inclined, but you could also beat the dirt of your car with a hammer, but I recommend a sponge with soap & water.

The tension rods are probably messing up your toe & wearing out your tires, while the upper links are messing up your camber and wearing out your tires. An alignment before replacing these two things is a total waste of money.

As far s the HICAS light, Wes is right on the money. Make sure you ahve no leaks under the car. A lot of the hoses get soft and start to seep. Tighten all the clamps you can, and this hsould help.

While you are down there, look at your steering rack boots. turn the wheels all the way left and right, to extend the boot, and make sure they are not broken or torn, If they are, replace them. They are about $25 each, and you have to remove the tierod to replace them. be sure to count the turns when taking the tierods off, so you can put them back on the same number of turns.

You might as well do all of this at once, because an alignment is recommended after all.

AND FINALLY, if yor struts are shot, replace them and the strut dust boots and bump stops while you are at it.

Get your parts fron EVERYTHING INFINITI (advertisement at the right) Joe gives good discounts to NICL, and somethings shipping breaks. They use DHL, which takes a while sometimes, expecially to Alabama.

Later..

[elwesso]

The upper links are usually what makes noises. They are about $90 each. The tension rod bushings are about $25 but require a press to insert.

You could beat them out, and beat new ones in, if inclined, but you could also beat the dirt of your car with a hammer, but I recommend a sponge with soap & water.

The tension rods are probably messing up your toe & wearing out your tires, while the upper links are messing up your camber and wearing out your tires. An alignment before replacing these two things is a total waste of money.

As far s the HICAS light, Wes is right on the money. Make sure you ahve no leaks under the car. A lot of the hoses get soft and start to seep. Tighten all the clamps you can, and this hsould help.

While you are down there, look at your steering rack boots. turn the wheels all the way left and right, to extend the boot, and make sure they are not broken or torn, If they are, replace them. They are about $25 each, and you have to remove the tierod to replace them. be sure to count the turns when taking the tierods off, so you can put them back on the same number of turns.

You might as well do all of this at once, because an alignment is recommended after all.

AND FINALLY, if yor struts are shot, replace them and the strut dust boots and bump stops while you are at it.

Get your parts fron EVERYTHING INFINITI (advertisement at the right) Joe gives good discounts to NICL, and somethings shipping breaks. They use DHL, which takes a while sometimes, expecially to Alabama.

Later..

Man DHL takes a LOT LESS time to gte to indiana compared to like fedex/UPS and especially USPS...

[MJC]

Guys, thanks a ton for the responses. I'll check out the PS resevoir tomorrow. Never noticed any leaks but I'll be watchful. Poor Q is neglected because my other car takes 99 percent of my money, so it's time to get her a few toys.

Alignment went well...not worried about a waste of money, a bunch of my buddies go to UTI here in Orlando, so I can just have them throw it up on the rack for free when I replace the tension rods and such. Apparently the right wheels both had too much toe. I'll get the wheels balanced at some point too, probably after I put some parts on there. I just need to figure out what is available for the Q. I've read that many Z32 parts are transferrable, now I just have to figure out what...and who makes those parts for them.

Thanks again for the information, and I'll be giving Everything Infiniti a call.

Regards,

Mark

PS - About the struts, I'll probably put on some blues with those cali. customs springs in the next couple weeks. I can tell they are a touch worn out.

[Jeff Williams]

Sounds like you are getting the "bug" Take a look at Wes' Q. He has the blues, Cali Customs, adjustable links, Z32 brakes, forged 350z wheels, custom exhaust, NICO ECU, nitrous, blah blah blah

I guess I am a little jealous since he bought Fred's car. He went from "Mr Pie Pans" to "Mr. Nitrous".

[elwesso]

Sounds like you are getting the "bug" Take a look at Wes' Q. He has the blues, Cali Customs, adjustable links, Z32 brakes, forged 350z wheels, custom exhaust, NICO ECU, nitrous, blah blah blah

I guess I am a little jealous since he bought Fred's car. He went from "Mr Pie Pans" to "Mr. Nitrous".

LOL quite a step..... TO be honest, i still do miss my old Q.. Man that thing was a treat on the highway... So smooth, so composed, it was perfect..

[MJC]

Sounds like you are getting the "bug" Take a look at Wes' Q. He has the blues, Cali Customs, adjustable links, Z32 brakes, forged 350z wheels, custom exhaust, NICO ECU, nitrous, blah blah blah

I guess I am a little jealous since he bought Fred's car. He went from "Mr Pie Pans" to "Mr. Nitrous".

Haha, yes my friend. I have always loved the car, and it is quite disturbing to be modifying another car. My supra isn't even completed and it has more money into it than I care to think about. 19" HRE's, built motor, coilovers, swaybars, hids, bodywork, full turbo upgrade, standalone ecu, full fuel system, etc etc etc...it never ends.

I've had the Q since Oct/Nov of '04 and I haven't done anything to it aside from maintenance even though I love the car so much. My father had one before I got mine and I always loved his. I figure I'll get these springs, the blues, the ecu, FSTB, upper links, tension rods, Z32 or GT-R brakes, and build a custom exhaust and some custom headers. Should make for a rather stout (excellent sounding ) machine.

Aside from those parts, I don't know what else is available...I'm going to try and hold off on the rear sway and see if I can find one of those hard-to-find 24mm bars. Maybe an intake? ---and more importantly, after I get those parts, then I'll be able to stop spending money on it hopefully.

Wes, thanks again for arranging the group buy. I'm sure we all appreciate it.

/Mark

[MJC]

Checked the manual...said Dexron II ATF or equivalent, I have to assume Dexron III would be fine as well. Thanks for the help guys.

[elwesso]

Checked the manual...said Dexron II ATF or equivalent, I have to assume Dexron III would be fine as well. Thanks for the help guys.

[maxnix]

Edit - I did search - But basically all I found was people saying the HICAS light was OK to drive with.

Presume you can link to that?

Don't think anyone with any time here and familiarity with all the posts has said that.

Your fluid is probably low and it is definitely not a good idea to operate it in that condition.

[elwesso]

Presume you can link to that?

Don't think anyone with any time here and familiarity with all the posts has said that.

Your fluid is probably low and it is definitely not a good idea to operate it in that condition.

I know I said that once, and UNLESS the light is on due to low fluid, then its not hurting anything to drive with the HICAS light on because hicas is simply disabled with it on...

However with low fluid you effect the PS system and HICAS

[MJC]

Presume you can link to that?

Don't think anyone with any time here and familiarity with all the posts has said that.

Your fluid is probably low and it is definitely not a good idea to operate it in that condition.

Presume you care to tell me why?

Not to be an *** at all - you guys helped me troubleshoot my car...

...but what exactly does the beginning of your post have to do with my former issue? I don't remember exactly what I searched for, and I'm sure that it was one of those cases where I entered stupid slightly-off search words and came up with the worst possible threads...but honestly, why does it matter?

I don't like posting new threads if I can avoid it...I've tried the search engine here pretty much every time I've had a question, but to be perfectly honest if it's not the server crawling and every search (every time I change the wording) taking 6 minutes, then it takes 3 minutes and says 'your search returned no results'.

So in closing...thanks everyone for helping me with my issue...was exactly what you guys said it was.

Regards,

Mark