ABS 4X4 lights on

[dawg2011]

Hi guys, I follow this forum from time to time and have used advice found here. All has been good sound advice. Now I have a problem that I haven't fount the answer to on the forum. I recently Changed out all of the suspension front and back (had the death wobble) in the process I broke the ABS cable on the drivers side. Not a hard fix but when I broke it my ABS and 4X4 lights came on and shifting into 4 wheel drive was inconsistent to say the least. I have since replaced the cable but my lights are still on and 4X4 seems to only work right in low. I have run my code reader on it and it shows nothing. How can I get the lights to go out and how can I check my 4x4 to get it working right again?? Any help I can get on this will be appreciated! O I have an 2001 Nissan pathfinder LE with 254000 mile and its still running strong!

[hawairish]

Howdy! Since the ABS system is separate from the ECM, you might not be able to pull the codes with most scanners, but you can pull the codes manually. The procedure to enter Diagnostics Mode is as follows:

1. Turn ignition switch “ON”.
2. After “AIR BAG” warning lamp lights for 7 seconds, turn ignition switch “OFF” within 1 second.
3. Wait more than 3 seconds.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 three times.
5. Turn ignition switch “ON”. SRS is now in Diagnosis mode.
6. “AIR BAG” warning lamp operates in Diagnosis mode as follows:

From there, the ABS light will blink a pattern, which you'll need the Factory Service Manual for. Not sure if yours is "2001" or "2001.5", but check out page RS-49 in the links below. Sections should be fairly identical, but just in case:

 

2001: http://www.nicoclub.com/manuals/Pathfinder/2001/rs.pdf

2001.5: http://www.nicoclub.com/manuals/Pathfinder/2001.5_Pathfinder/rs.pdf

 

Does yours have the part-time (shift lever) or all-mode (shift knob) 4wd system? I'm presuming the latter.

[dawg2011]

thank you I will give this a shot as soon as I can. Its a 2001.5 and it has the electronic shift (**&%^$) I don't care for. Do you know why the ABS and the 4x4 come on togather? The 4x4 light is off when I first start it then after 10 - 15 seconds it comes on. Thanks again for responding.

[hawairish]

I'm sorry...I totally gave you the wrong links and info above! I was looking that the SRS section for something else. Let's try that again...

 

See BR-51 of the Brake section! http://www.nicoclub.com/manuals/Pathfinder/2001.5_Pathfinder/br.pdf

 

This is the diagnostics to follow to get the ABS codes. You'll need to ground a pin on the OBDII port. Pay attention to the port's orientation and compare to the diagram in the FSM. I overlooked that on my Frontier once (similar process) and it popped a fuse.

 

Simplest answer I can think of is because the ABS computer provides input to the Transfer Control Unit. If the ABS system is having an issue, the 4WD warning light probably means it won't engage 4H when in Auto mode (not sure if it allows it when knob is set to 4H, though). Switching to 4L may disregard the ABS input signal altogether and allow usage, but I'm admittedly not familiar with the all-mode setup and safety/limp modes. However, the Transfer chapter in the FSM should break it down starting at TF-40: http://www.nicoclub.com/manuals/Pathfinder/2001.5_Pathfinder/tf.pdf

 

I'd personally start diagnosing the ABS system first, as solving that problem will likely solve the 4WD problem.

 

Also, other members have reported some sensitivity to the sensor positioning in the hub. Check for any dirt on the mounting boss that could affect the gap between sensor and tone ring, and for any metal build-up on the sensor. If there's a particular issue with a sensor, the ABS diagnostics should indicate the sensor in question, or any other problems.

[adamzan]

The sensor being seated correctly is extremely important. I've run into this a few times on other vehicles. Mostly VW and Nissan. On my parents Maxima, I had replaced the front right sensor, and there was some corrosion not allowing it to seat properly. This resulted in the cruise control not working, ABS/VDC lights on, and the speedometer read half the speed you were actually going. Had to remove it and grind down the mount. I painted it with POR15 to prevent it from happening again.