I inherited a VDC problems on my used 03. I can't have VDC on it all cause it always kicks in. I also notice it always says "icy" on LCD. Is that why VDC is freaking out? How do I sort this out?

 

Well...icy/snowy roads would cause your VDC to go off because you'd be losing traction & it would explain the "icy" on your guages but is it really icy/snowy in WA this time of the year???

 

No, it's the middle of summer, 80-90 degrees. There must be something wrong. Should I reset the computer by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes?

I see that damn "icy" all of the time on the LCD. VDC goes whacko if left on because the car thinks it's always icy. It will stall and auto brake. I have to have VDC off to drive it.

When VDC is off I also have the slip light on solid. I'm sure it's because the car thinks it's icy all of the time. I want to fix this.

 

Do you have aftermarker wheels and/or tires installed? If so, what sizes are they? If they don't have the correct stagger, that can trigger the vdc.

Of course, the other possibility is that the VDC computer is dead, one or more wheels speed sensors are bad, the g-force sensor is bad...

What does the outside temperature gauge read? If it's less than 37 degrees then ICY shows up. The temperature probe could be broken or disconnected or shorted out. That would cause the false low reading and the ICY indicator.

 

Ahhh, good advice. Yes, the guy put on 17" Nissan wheels with Kumho tires all the way around and they are not staggered. What is the proper stagger for a 03 enthusiast and wheel size? I was thinking there suppose to be 18" wheels/tires?

OK, the wheel speed sensors and gforce sensor. Where are these located? Wow, these cars are advanced.

No, it's never below 37 in the summer in Seattle. Gets down to maybe 55 at the coldest at night. Where is the temperature probe located? You're probably right about it being broke or disconnected. This car was in a moderate front end wreck then repaired before I bought it. I got a good deal and had it looked at before I got it.

Great points Dave, thanks a lot.

 

I believe the correct tire size for 17" oem wheels is approx. 225/50/17 front and 245/50/17 rear

 

Thanks bro.

Your Volks look sweet on your black touring edition. Nice whip.

 

The speed sensors are mounted on each of the wheel hubs (back behind the brakes, bearings, etc.). If one was bad, it seems like you'd get a warning light all the time, not just having VDC kick in. I'd bet the lack of stagger is causing the problem.

The temperature probe is mounted below the hood latch in front of the radiator. If you cycle through the computer display (speed, TPS, temp, mileage, rev limiter) you ought to see what it thinks the outside temp is. That should tell you if it's broke or not.

The tire chart from the owners manual lists the 17" wheels are 225/50R17 in the front and 235/50R17 in the rear.

 

Thank you...need to get some better pics though, all the pics in my sig are from my cellphone

 

Damn, the pics are great. What r u talkin bout?

 

Right, that makes a lot of sense. What does the temp sensor look like? Is it by the horn? I see that down there. Yeah, I get no temp reading while cycling thru. Just speed, mpg, tach setting, etc. I'm sure it was damaged or not there now from the wreck it was in before I got it? How much does that cost I wonder? Thanks.

 

Hmmm, mine have 235/50/R17 on the front and 245/50/R17 on the rear. Would that be the problem?

 

If it was wrecked, then it's very possible that they didn't hook it back up, or it was damaged and they didn't realize it. See the diagram below...

 

While slightly larger, those sizes are still staggered so it doesn't appear like they would be a problem.

 

Excellent Dave. Thanks for the diagram. That is great! I will go outside now and take a look at it. Thanks bro.

 

Yep, the damn sensor is missing. There is just a female plug end. Ok, that explains it. Thanks Dave.

Where do you find is the lowest cost place to get OEM Nissan parts? I have found this place http://nissanpart4u.com

 

Description Year MSRP Price Core Price Your Price
ambient TEMP SENSOR, 350Z 03-05 $39.25 $0.00 $29.05
Hvac - Controls - Automatic temperature controls - ambient temp sensor


Ahhhh, yes. Found it for $29. Right here http://nissanpart4u.com/oem_parts.html

 

Well, I bought the ambient sensor. Paid $11 for UPS Ground which I know is a rip off. I guess you should buy more things at once to offset the high shipping cost.

 

Don't feel bad, I've bought $8 in parts and paid $8 in shipping.

 

What does that ambient sensor all control? According to Dave's diagram is sends info to the unified meter and the A/C amp. So it controls the A/C as well? Hmmmm, maybe that is why I have A/C issues? Then again I get no cold air at all, just warm air even when the setting is all the way down. Sucks in the summer as it will be about 90 this weekend. That LED always says icy because the sensor is missing. I bet that is why I am having the VDC problem because the system thinks it's icy and the VDC kicks in?