Please Help! ABS/VDC/Traction Control Problem
 

All right fellow Z enthusiasts, what do you know about my issue going on? The problem all started with me trying to fix the cruise control sensor, I pressed the button, the indicator light came on, but it wouldnt actually set.. so i unplugged the sensor and started turning the sensor, that didnt fix the problem, im not sure if i was turning it the right way or not. long story short.. i took the car out for a test drive and the brakes squealed a little bit, i didnt think much of it, because the car is hardly driven.

Ultimately, the car immediately lost power and shut off, i noticed a little bit of smoke from the engine bay, it smelled like burn plastic, but it could have been anything. I had to get the car towed back to Madwi's garage. I did notice, the brake pedal looked like it was being pressed without my foot pedal being on the brake. It still looks like that right now. With all 3 sensors being on (ABS, Traction Control, and VDC).

I tried again to adjust the sensor, again taking the car out, and ran into the same problem, luckily i was close to madwi's house. His garage is on a hill, and when the car locked up, gravity should have had the car roll down the hill, but it didnt, even with the ebrake disengaged, and the car not in gear.. but by luck, I dont know why I did it but, i lifted the brake pedal up with my foot and the car rolled back.

Fellas tell me something, any thoughts or insight? I've reached out to Rusty and Ghostvette, they provided me good insight, can anyone else share their experience?

This past weekend, I got the Z up on jack stands (front), the tires off, I inspected the brake lines and wheel speed sensors, I found no damage, I turned the wheels left and right, no issues, however you can still smell a foul smell.

I ordered a new cruise control sensor, and a brake switch sensor. Please help fellas.

The dropped pedal and locked brakes would have me checking the master cylinder and ABS block. Then I'd look at the calipers.

Edit: I don't think the cruise and brake problems are related. But it's been a long time since I look at that section of the FSM (or any section).

ABS block? Are you talking about the ABS/Actuator fuse (near the battery)?

Thanks SouthArk.

The module that does all the ABS work. I can't remember the official Nissan name. Big block of metal with brake lines piped to it.

The brake master cylinder?

I believe that IS the central point.

NO, He is referring to the ABS actuator. It has hard lines to it. Its in that little compartment.

This is the link to the service manual for breaks, Page BR 22 #6:
Factory Service Manuals - NICO Club

Thanks brother.

sh1t, I had no idea about this. :eek: you learn something new every day. thanks again man, I'll give you boys some repZ tomorrow morning.

Since you show having over 66k posts, I figured you would have already found the FSM. It's a great resource for the DIYer.

Ahhh dude, I got it downloaded somewhere around my house.:icon17:I just redownloaded all the PDFs again.

Brother, im not sure whats going on man, I mean the car is a 2010 with only 11k miles. I gotta figure it out though man, its really stressing me out.

RepZ given. Thanks fellas.

On second thought, they probably are. With the pedal below normal rest position, it will actuate the switch that tells cruise you are using the brakes.

Yeah, and they gotta be in sync for them to work properly, im going to replace the cruise control sensor because I know for a fact that the CC didnt engage before I started having this problem, but I wont touch the brake switch sensor (even though I already bought it) because I havent touched that and I assume its still good to go..

My coworker was saying to pull the calipers off the rotors, then rotate the rotors to see if the hubs are still good.

Yup, definitely sounds like a brake caliper is hung up.:
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...r-rebuild.html

Thanks greg.

ok fellas, here's an update.

So I sent my calipers to Mr. Rusty, with new rebuild kits from Z1. Mr. Rusty did a phenomenal job rebuilding the calipers. At his recommendation, I replaced all the bleeder screws, and added all new hardware kits for each caliper. After a few days, I received the rebuilt calipers, I cleaned up the brake pads and reinstalled everything.. while waiting for calipers, I had ordered then installed new stainless steel brake lines from Z1. I then installed the calipers back on the Z.

I know this is anal retentive but I wrapped (the black plastic tubing thats cut down the middle) the brake lines just for an extra layer of protection.

Today, I rechecked the stop lamp fuse (drivers footwell) and the ABS actuator fuse (near the battery) both were good to go. I also checked the brake switch sensor located on the brake pedal, comparing its position (counting the threads protruding out the bottom) to Mr. Madwi's Z.. to my amazement, his sensor was approximately 2.5 threads out the bottom which is normal, compared to mine, I had at least 10 to 13 threads showing below the base that holds the sensor in place. :eek::eek: which means, my sensor was sitting wayyyy below where it should have been.

I ended up pulling the brake switch sensor out, disconnecting it, then figuring out how it actually locks into place.. long story short, its in the exact same position as like Mr. Madwi's Z.

So tomorrow, I'll finally get the brakes bled and see where we stand. Fellas, thank you so much for your help and insight. I honestly owe you all a cold beer down at ZDAYZ.

Congrats bud. Keep us posted how the new brakes feel.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

I got the brakes bled today, said a prayer, turned the car on.. the brake pedal felt smooth and even.. and NO indicator lights!!! We're gonna keep the car up on jackstands and see where we are a week from now..

Well boyZ and girlZ, after a prayer and a phenomenal bleed of my brake system, as of today, my Z is finally up and running!! the brake pedal feels smooth and consistent, no leaks..brand new brake fluid.. no indicator lights, no squeaks or squeals.. I still have a funky smell near the passenger side intake manifold, so I'll be keeping an eye on that, other than that.. I'm blessed.