Just thinking about a workaround for the common issue people have of the speed signal dissapearing causing interrupted PAS assistance (could be speedo cluster, converter, speed-sensor etc.); how can one go about stopping the speed-sensitive system. Even if it's something programmed within the ECU surely you can simply bypass the ecu and have a constant live on the pas pump?

 

Anyone done this? I have GPS speedo I'm not really fussed on the needle working.

Acctually found something about R32 GTR's as they have issues with the ECU changing the default PWM signals based on hicas removal etc.

 

They suggest mechanical modification to the solenoid itself by 'shimming it' to the desired amount! I'm not certain this can be applied to the z32 but given it's a similar system I wouldn't be surprised... I'll take a shufty this weekend see if I can get something that works, could be handy for some folk

A few things to consider, the steering rack solenoid works on 5 volts, and if you had it energised at motorway speeds it would be so light it would be dangerous.

 

Jeff

Damn :-( so there really is no way around it other than to fix the speed signal problem? That sucks, but at least it saves me working toward a fix that isn't practical bud.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

To be honest given the underbody rust situation I'm sorely tempted to ditch the 300zx altogether and put the running gear into my Laurel :-\

I was just about to comment "what common issue about speed signal disappearing?" when a little light went *ding*. From time to time and at low speed, my PAS goes really heavy. Plus there's a funny noise when turning the steering wheel - a bit like some fluid being pumped against a restriction. I check the belts and the fluid level and the error codes - no problem. I wonder if the pump is on the way out - but then the problem goes away for a while. Does this sound like the "common issue" I didn't know existed? :)

 

If so, what's the troubleshoot? I have OEM JDM cluster, no converter, no mods.

 

Thanks

I was just about to comment "what common issue about speed signal disappearing?" when a little light went *ding*. From time to time and at low speed, my PAS goes really heavy. Plus there's a funny noise when turning the steering wheel - a bit like some fluid being pumped against a restriction. I check the belts and the fluid level and the error codes - no problem. I wonder if the pump is on the way out - but then the problem goes away for a while. Does this sound like the "common issue" I didn't know existed? :)

 

If so, what's the troubleshoot? I have OEM JDM cluster, no converter, no mods.

 

Thanks

 

Can’t remember how old your car is, but if it’s pre series 4 it’s likely to either be a dry solder in the speedo gauge PCB or the speed sensor is on its way out. S4 onwards they changed the PCB’s to ‘on board’ resistors. While a dry solder is still a possibility, it seems to be a less documented issue on the later style speedo’s

 

There’s deffo a couple of threads here re speed sensor and there’s a couple of good write ups on TT net and the aus forum about the solders on the pcb

Edited February 14, 20196 yr by nickz32

Can’t remember how old your car is, but if it’s pre series 4 it’s likely to either be a dry solder in the speedo gauge PCB or the speed sensor is on its way out. S4 onwards they changed the PCB’s to ‘on board’ resistors. While a dry solder is still a possibility, it seems to be a less documented issue on the later style speedo’s

 

There’s deffo a couple of threads here re speed sensor and there’s a couple of good write ups on TT net and the aus forum about the solders on the pcb

 

Thanks for your reply, Nick. I've found these threads https://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?189042-HICAS-and-Power-Steering-issue&highlight=speed+sensor https://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?188358-Speedo-and-PAS&highlight=speed+sensor https://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?187449-Issues-whilst-conducting-HICAS-diagnostics and had a good read. Some comments:

 

1. It's a Series 6 '99 JDM
   
2. No speed converter (or any mods)
   
3. OEM cluster
   
4. OEM ECU
   
5. NA so no HICAS
   
6. the fault is intermittent and occasional
   
7. only evident at low revs / speed - i.e. when parking, junctions, ambling round roundabouts
   
8. haven't noticed any issue with the speed indication either on the OEM cluster or on ECUTalk LCD Display
   

 

Does this point in any direction? From the other threads I'm guessing possibly intermittent connection (check and clean connector). If the sensor was faulty, wouldn't the speedometer be faulty as well?

 

I'm trying to fire up myConZult at the weekend to see if that gives any clues.

 

Thanks again, Mike