Xterra_Brit's Nissan Xterra Build

[Xterra_Brit]

I swapped in new coilovers and UCA's two weekends ago and had it aligned on the Monday. Last Wednesday I started to drive to work and my steering wheel was off center but not too bad so I booked it in for the alignment to be checked. Thursday I start driving to work and it's even worse, half way to work the ABS, VDC OFF and SLIP lights all come on and won't clear.
Got it realigned (1 cam bolt was loose and the whole front end shifted) but the lights wouldn't go so took it to the dealership for 1.5 hrs and had no luck clearing the codes. Did manage to get the ABS light to go off (ABS works when braking on ice) but the VDC and SLIP lights stayed on.
Took it in today for service and diagnostics and got a call saying ot was the ABS actuator. Whe I pick it up I'm going to ask for more details. I don't see how it could fail bu tthe ABS still work if that's the issue.

 

[stioc]

Hmm, I'm trying to imagine how a cam bolt could shift the front end in a way to affect the ABS, VDC etc. It's all keyed off of the ABS toothed-wheel on each wheel and a sensor that reads the rotations of the wheel. If it senses the difference in wheel speeds it assumes a wheel is slipping and it tries to assist via the traction programming or braking (if the brakes are applied). I would check to make sure all the sensors are still connected. When you park turn off the car and restart it do these lights stay on (while in P or stopped)? I've never really had to deal with ABS issues on any of my cars but I'm trying to imagine what could go wrong during the suspension work to cause the actuator to fail and I'm coming up empty. Definitely ask them how they determined it to be the actuator.

 

[Xterra_Brit]

The lights come on as soon as the truck starts. They cleared them at the dealership on Thursday (about 10 times) and they came back on right away, as soon as they were cleared.

Someone on thenewX.org suggested the junction box behind the passenger wheel might have snow/salt/crap in it and shorted something. Apparently he has similar symptons and when he powerwashed it the lights cleared.

I don't understand either, the ABS light isn't on and the ABS works, how can that be an ABS actuator failure?

 

[Silver dude]

Well I certainly wouldn't pay 2k for a brake part. It appears the part can be sourced on ebay for much less.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-07-NISSA...fits=Model:Xterra&hash=item1e7828ae8f&vxp=mtr

I'd take it to another mechanics shop for a second opinion before making the plunge. Seems so odd that it works.

 

[bushnut]

I wonder if a wire to the sensor was damaged when removing strut?

 

[Fenrir]

Perhaps a pin in a connector got pulled back when installing the suspension? I work on electronics all day and the number one rule is anytime you move something and it doesn't work afterwards check all your circuits for continuity. Of course thats easier said than done, but I imagine its a signal problem from or to the actuator vs. the actuator itself. Put the money where their mouth is, have them get in an actuator and swap it. If the problem persists don't pay for it. Standard practice in my field.

 

[Xterra_Brit]

Apparently the further diagnostics done yesterday showed that it's one of the controler relays that has fried. The ABS part works fine but the relay for the VDC is the one that's messed up which is why I still have ABS but not VDC. I'm looking into my options about what to do about repairing/replacing it.

 

[NCtrail4R]

Good luck with it. Hope the relay can be replaced separately from the controller. Keep us updated.

 

[Rebelord]

There was a place to send my old GM ABS actuators to, to get repaired. Might be a viable option.

 

[stolenheron]

sounds almost Land Rover-esque with the lights staying on and ABS issues.

i'd check the sensors at the wheels. Anytime you work with suspension, you run the risk of messing one up (on any vehicle). any of those systems always send folks on wild goose changes around the vehicle until they finally find the problem :/.

best of luck to you, it looks like a nice truck. let us know what you find.

 

[Xterra_Brit]

So I had the ABS Actuator replaced yesterday and the lights are gone Bad news is the brakes are now squishy/soft. I took it right back and they looked at it but couldn't find the problem (they bled and retested the lines for air). Seems to be a case of good news, bad news with the brakes

 

[Rebelord]

Sounds like the abs block still needs to be bleed. Have to bleed it separately than just at the wheels

Sent from my Moto X

 

[Xterra_Brit]

Good to know Rebelord, thanks for the info.

It felt slighty more normal today so maybe it is a air bubble that needs to be worked out the system with some use and bumpy roads, lol.

 

[Xterra_Brit]

I suspect they did a poor job of bleeding the brakes or ABS actuator as the brakes seem to be ok now after a week or more of driving. Hopefully it was just an air bubble in the actuator as suggested.