NCVT light turns on for Nissan Micra '99

AdrianSandu

Hi guys,

I own and use a '99 Nissan Micra 1.0 automatic. A couple of weeks ago the dashboard light for the NCVT turned on. Ever since it turned on almost every time I drive. It doesn't blink, just stays on until I turn off the engine. Sometimes as soon as I start moving, others after 5-10 minutes. I had even a couple of rides (30+ km to or from work) when the light stayed off.

I went to my garage, but the connector for the diagnostic machine was not compatible with the one from my car. He checked the oil for the gearbox and it looked clean enough and in normal levels. I don't have a manual, he doesn't either and I couldn't find one on the Internet to do any self-troubleshooting.

I didn't experience any change in the way the car works, but I can't really trust her on long rides for fear it might leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Is there any advice you could give me? Other than send her to the scrapyard?

Thanks!

blackbox

A guide on diagnostics here:

https://www.micra.org.uk/threads/ncvt-problem.48828/

AdrianSandu

I tried that as soon as the light turned on the first time, but nothing happened. The light didn't turn on at all, never mind blinking. I guess I might have to give it a few more tries.

AdrianSandu

One more thing. The thread you linked to mentions that the car does not enter into drive at all. In my case the car functions absolutely normal - with the exception of the light that stays on.

GL scrappy

The brushes on the electromagnetic clutch can become worn and may have caused your light to come on before any issue became noticable.

This guy has a very good blog on how it works and how to replace the brushes. Worth a read anyway.

http://vaguevagaries.blogspot.ie/2010/02/replacing-electromagnetic-clutch.html

tcawley29

disconnect the battery for an hour and see if it resets itself

AdrianSandu

I tried the diagnostic procedure three times, with no result. There must be something I'm doing wrong with the instructions:

1. Keeping the ignition off and all pedals released move the selector / gear lever to the "D" position.

Key in off position, hand brake on, gear level moved to "D"

2. Turn ignition on - but dont start the vehicle.

Turned the key to the point it stays when the engine is on, but without triggering the ignition. (all board leds light up). Did it once only turning the key one step (no board leds light, but radio turns on)

3. Depress and hold brake pedal, then fully depress and hold the accelerator pedal.

I presume in this case "depress" means "push".

- pressed brake pedal all the way with left foot
- kept left foot on the brake, keeping it to the floor
- pressed accelerator with right foot all the way down too

4. Then move the selector / gear lever in the following order: Ds - D - N - R - P

Done the sequence with about one second between the steps

5. Release the accelerator pedal, then the brake.

Done

6. Start the car...(gear lever still in "P")

Started the engine

7. The N-CVT dashboard warning light will start to blink, count them and compare with the fault code list below)

No light at all on the NCVT lamp.

8. Switch off ignition to stop self diagnostic procedure.

---

Can someone point me what am I doing wrong?

crabbypaddy

AdrianSandu wrote: »

I tried the diagnostic procedure three times, with no result. There must be something I'm doing wrong with the instructions:

1. Keeping the ignition off and all pedals released move the selector / gear lever to the "D" position.

Key in off position, hand brake on, gear level moved to "D"

2. Turn ignition on - but dont start the vehicle.

Turned the key to the point it stays when the engine is on, but without triggering the ignition. (all board leds light up). Did it once only turning the key one step (no board leds light, but radio turns on)

3. Depress and hold brake pedal, then fully depress and hold the accelerator pedal.

I presume in this case "depress" means "push".

- pressed brake pedal all the way with left foot
- kept left foot on the brake, keeping it to the floor
- pressed accelerator with right foot all the way down too

4. Then move the selector / gear lever in the following order: Ds - D - N - R - P

Done the sequence with about one second between the steps

5. Release the accelerator pedal, then the brake.

Done

6. Start the car...(gear lever still in "P")

Started the engine

7. The N-CVT dashboard warning light will start to blink, count them and compare with the fault code list below)

No light at all on the NCVT lamp.

8. Switch off ignition to stop self diagnostic procedure.

---

Can someone point me what am I doing wrong?

"Fault Code No Number - Lamp does not blink - Check all components."

If your pedal switches were faulty it may not enter diagnostics and also account for an error. Its a simple thing to check.

AdrianSandu

Got the part from the link above - very nice service from the guys selling it. But when I took it to the mechanic, I was told the new brushes are not the same size and don't fit quite as they should. Also the existing brushes are only about half-way worn.

Next I tried finding a garage that still has a diagnostic machine compatible with the sort of connector my car has (the old one). I called all Nissan dealers in Dublin and all told me they don't have anything compatible any more. The garage I usually go to has a Snap-On Modis Ultra machine (https:// www1.snapon.com/ diagnostics/us/modisultra - remove spaces for the URL). Is there any convertor or cable that can go into my port and this machine? Are there any other solutions to identify the problem?