Hey guys, new to Nissans.

i have an ‘03 Maxima when I put it in Drive, it only accelerates a bit then cuts out and bogs down, making some weird grindy noises and the RPMs fluctuate. While this is happening, the SLIP light blinks.

it is intermittent, when it drives normally, the VDS Off Light, SLIP light and ABS light are all illuminated.

i have a P1800 code (I have ordered the VDS control solenoid) and also a C1105 for the right rear WSS signal intermittent.

Any ideas what is happening here? I recently replaced the alternator. Checked out the front end and the CV axles seem ok, everything else the suspension and ball joints look good. Its weird how it makes this terrible noise and then just goes away. Is the ABS system activating?!

thanks in advance

 

did you check the wheel bearings?

 

Yes, the wheel bearings are ok. One side was recently replaced.

 

you mentioned having a code for the right rear wheel speed sensor, that's the first place I would start checking for anything abnormal.

where is the noise coming from?

 

The noise is definitely coming from the front of the car, hard to tell which side. I’m not ruling out that the ABS module isnt activating and causing those weird sounds but it does seem like a mechanical sound. I check the R/R WSS wires and they are intact. Did not check the reluctor wheel yet but I’m just trying to rule out if the ABS could be part of the main drive-ability issue I am having…

 

thats probably exactly whats happening. definitely sounds like traction control activating. unplug that faulty wss until youre able to properly diagnose the issue. with an active fault it should completely disable abs and traction control.

 

from my experience with ABS failures i've only seen the valve solenoids fail which causes them to stick open and the brake system loses pressure. one was a coworker with a 00-01 maxima. it would have pressure before start up than lose pressure when the ABS cycled the valves during start up check cause the valves would stick. my car had it happen while driving but would go sway when I turned the car off and back on, a brake flush actually solved that. it hasn't happened again since the brake flush and it's been well over 8 years.

the ABS wheel sensor is magnetic, check to make sure no metal is stuck to it. my 02 is at 351,XXX miles and and I've owned it since December of 2012 and I haven't even had to change a wheel sensor yet. the wheel sensors and the rest of the ABS system seem to be pretty reliable. I also flush my brakes once a year to keep the fluid fresh.



is the grinding noise you hear constant? the only grinding noise I can think of is pads being worn past the pad lining when they grind the rotors. may sound crazy but sometime i jack one side up with the parking brake on and spin one wheel at a time with the vehicle running and in drive to check for drivetrain noise.

 

will it accelerate close to redline in park