*SOLVED* TPMS and off-center steering wheel
 

This morning I left for work, drove about 1/2 mile and the TPMS alert came on. I pulled over into a parking lot and all four tires were at 30 psi. Since I'm close I figured I'd drive to work and if it was a flat I'd change it before coming home, but I never made it to work.

Driving down the freeway I noticed the steering wheel was off-centered about five degrees to the right even though I was driving straight. Last time I drove it was perfectly centered as it has been since the day I drove it home. I haven't hit anything. Anyway I drove home and took my truck to work.

I'm anxious to see if I have a flat when I return home but other than that (since I haven't hit anything) I can't imaging what would cause the steering wheel to suddenly point to the right.

Any ideas?

How accurate is your gauge? Is it one of those cheapy manual gauges that you can get at AutoZone?
Also, if you've been driving and your pressures actually are 30psi, then you are way too low on pressure. They should be 35 cold. If one of the tires is quite low, it would definitely pull.

Rule these out
 

Thanks for the suggestions. The gauge is fine, the actual pressure is irrelevant in this context (what's important is they are all the same), and the car doesn't pull, only the steering wheel is off center.

I'm assuming the two issues are related because they both happened at the same time. However if they are not then perhaps the TPMS is reacting to the slightly low cold tire temp as you suggest and is a separate issue with convenient timing, but I don't see how that would affect the steering wheel alignment.

I recently installed the Swift Spec Rs and I'm trying to envision some way that could effect the issue. I need to research that.

Thanks for your input!

Since the tire pressures are even, the off-center steering wheel suggests a linkage/steering box/suspension problem to me. This may have caused the TPMS sensor to move away from the receiver causing intermittent operation.

As for the off steering wheel issue?

I've had this off center issue myself for awhile in my case I would have the habit of leaving my wheels chocked to the right in my driveway so its easier to pull out due to the angle of my drive way anyway I was about to adjust the tie rods to center the steering wheel when I noticed that after the car was sitting for days with the wheels straight that when I drove it my steering wheel was back on center so I had to do a double take and stare at the steering wheel to make sure I wasn't hallucinating things, But indeed the steering wheel was normal the only difference in my case was the steering wheel was also 5º off to the left.
I've also heard of this happening to other folks, But like if by magic it corrected itself so its hard to determine exactly the cause in my case thats what I noticed corrected it.
I also have never run into anything while driving to knock it back on track that I can remember.
You could try to turn the wheels full left and right, And see if that returns the steering wheel to center :ugh2:

I'll try that as soon as I get home. It'll be spooky if it works...

Might be worth having your alignment checked. If the road was crowned a decent amount and you are running a bit more toe out in the front it could cause some wander or off center steering. I get this when I toe out and put on grippier tires for DEs.

I do plan on an alignment but I'm still waiting for my coilovers to arrive, maybe another week or so. I don't think it's related to road crown or toe since it was fine one day and off the next and is consistent wherever I'm driving. That's the odd thing about it: I parked it Friday night after returning from Waco and it was fine all the way home. It rained all day Sat and Sun so I stayed home. When I left for work Monday the light came on within 30 seconds after pulling out of the driveway.

Interesting New Developments
 

So after work I went to have my tires topped off to 35 psi with nitrogen, probably will not do that again for $30, and halfway there the TPMS light goes off. Hasn't come back on.

But, when I turn off the car and close the door the clutch message comes on and it beeps really fast. I have to restart the car and turn it off again to cancel the message. Only happens occasionally.

Now, this morning as I'm driving to work the slip indicator light came on and remained on till I turned off the car.

Something really wacky is going on...

You probably screwed up some wiring or sensors as a result of the springs installation. I think the TPMS doesn't get tripped til below 25l psi.

TPMS goes off below 30 psi.

Other note...nitrogen? Were the tires filled with nitrogen before? Did they purge them? I love all the people who use nitrogen and have ZERO idea why....waste of money.

Tracy Ramsey

Yes they were from the factory.

No, they just added 6 psi each (I told them not to purge)

I know all about nitrogen applications. (I researched it while waiting, hence my remorse for spending $30)

I agree, a waste of money (for me) unless in a professional race car (which I am not).

You may be right. I've been reading the service manual and the VDC, TCM, ABS, and steering angle sensor are all interconnected and affect each others operation. Not sure how the clutch warning message fits in to the equation - I can't find where it is explained (why it's triggered) in the manual.

I don't see how I could have damaged any of the sensors during the spring swap. All I did is unclip them from the bracket. I'm leaning toward the steering angle sensor reading that I'm driving straight while my steering wheel is pointed to the right, and therefore it thinks I'm sliding or losing traction and is confused.

Manual says the steering angle sensor neutral position should be readjusted after removing or installing suspension or steering components.

If you have installed springs and not had an alignment, this could be your issue. Or,Your springs could have settled causing the alignment to change. That is why most folks drive if for a little while, then get the alignment.

That's the conclusion I've come to for everything except the clutch message. Still working on that one. Just waiting for the coilovers to arrive...

So apparently Nissan, at least all the dealers here in Houston, has a policy of refusing to do any work on aftermarket parts. Since I have aftermarket suspension components they refuse to do an alignment.

Anyone here in Houston who knows of a trustworthy shop, preferably one that can do an alignment and corner balance, please let me know. I'd prefer not to pick one out of the phone book or internet but use one that caters to performance enthusiasts.

Anyone use these guys before?

EVS Motors Performance Studio
Fully Insured and Bonded For Your Protection
12320 Bellaire Blvd.
Suite C-1
Houston, TX 77072

EDIT: Just realized I used these guys to detail my Porsche. I really liked them and was impressed with their attitude and work. Unless someone has had a negative experience with mechanical work I think I'll try them. They're close to my house.

Still give recommendations if you've had success with another shop. One can never have too many options.

I would just talk to them and hear what they tell you. You will probably get more valuable information from them regarding your issues.

The actual adjustment of the toe and camber is quite straight forward providing the machine is accurate. It may take a bit of patience to ensure both side have the same settings. I recalled that they need to plug into the obc to recalibrate the steering angle on my M3 and also place weighs on different part of the car. Not sure if the Z requires additional procedures other than the actual adjustments.

Coilovers will arrive tomorrow. Hopefully I can have it aligned Saturday morn or even Friday if the come in the morning.

*solved*
 

During the course of installing the coilovers I found the locknut on the SPL front control arm (camber arm) on the left rear had loosened and caused the length to shorten by about 3/4". I readjusted it to the same length as the stock arm and tightened the jam nut securely. After a short test drive the warning light went out and the steering wheel is centered.

there you go.. so it was a human error during the initial install.

Yes, thanks for pointing that out.