dealership says slip light + ABS is low brake fluid?

Yomama · 11-14-2005, 06:05 PM

I brought it in for this problem and "diff lock" light flashing. First the service dept calls back and asks me about my rear view camera I had installed there, like that might have been causing the problem. These guys are scaring me. Then he mentions my aftermarket radio? I said what does that have to do with the diff light flashing, well there are sensitive electronics behind the dash, blah, blah. I am like ahh no, I had all that installed months ago and this just happened last week. Well he said he would have to contact Nissan and see what they had to say. He also told me, well 4x4 and the diff lock still work. I said yea, but the light should not be flashing. So then he calls back later and says they want to keep my truck over night to do another hours worth of testing in the morning.
This is when I said so you found something? He says well maybe, we need to test more, I said what about the Slip and ABS lights? That is when he says oh that is an indicator that the brake fluid is low. I said isn't that what the "brake" light is for? He stutters a couple times and says it will also light those two lights. I call BS. Hopefully they find something. He also said that they don't do the diffs there and they would have to send my axle in to get it fixed?

That sounds like a long time no Titan time while I am making payments. They also said No loaner, since I didn't buy the vehicle there and I don't have the extended warranty. Well see about that if they are keeping it for weeks, I will get a loaner then. Sucks dealing with some of these dealerships. Too bad they weren't all good. My truck has 6905 miles and I bought it new last March.
I couldn't wait to share this - with you all.

Almost forgot he also asked about my finned diff cover I got on that GB. He asked what I put in it for diff fluid. Amsoil 75-140 I told him.

bestatchess · 11-14-2005, 06:19 PM

"I said what about the Slip and ABS lights? That is when he says oh that is an indicator that the brake fluid is low. I said isn't that what the "brake" light is for? He stutters a couple times and says it will also light those two lights."

The dealer is correct. Since it takes about a minute to check the brake fluid level and add brake fluid if needed, why bother speculating about the matter with the customer on the phone? And if the brake fluid is in fact low, the next question would be why? Is there a leak somewhere?

MO Titan · 11-15-2005, 06:21 AM

Ditto, the dealer is right. The ABS, slip, and brake light all came on on my vehicle about four months ago and all they did was top off my brake fluid and the lights were gone.

baseballfanz · 11-15-2005, 07:11 AM

I got the Slip + brake light (NOT slip + ABS) and it went away after I topped of my brake fluid.

XTitan · 11-15-2005, 07:20 AM

Whatever I'm gone please stop the harassment!!!!

Yomama · 11-15-2005, 11:02 AM

No brake fix for me ....yet, but since it is already needing fluid, that must mean the pads are wearing down quick it has less then 7k miles.
Also, put me on the list of diff failures.... They are ordering me a new axle assembly that should be here next week. They gave me back the truck, hopefully I won't have any problem (diff exploding) while driving, especially if the kids are with me.

Yomama

Armada · 11-15-2005, 12:00 PM

Dealer is right. If I were a betting man, I'd bet that if you add Dot 3 fluid to about halfway between the middle mark and max, those light will go out. Make sure you use Dot 3 and NOT Dot 4, which is silicone based and not compatable.

It might be good to also check your front pads for wear, they might be getting close to the end of their useful life.

Try adding the fluid. That should fix the problem. If not, it's dealer time.

brassballs1979 · 11-21-2005, 06:56 AM

This happened to me also. I was told by some people on here to check my brake fluid so I did. It was well within the normal range (about in the middle) and I wouldnt have called that low. I took it in and they did a brake line check (no leaks), topped off the fluid, and that solved the problem. I aksed why my fluid was low and they said brake pad wear.

TitanWannaBe · 11-21-2005, 07:19 AM

I previously mentioned this problem...but I am also getting the Diff Lock light in adition to the Slip/ABS. The Diff Lock light will come on fisrt then it will switch to the Slip/ABS, then back to Diff Lock and so on. They only start coming on after I have driven a while(like after the differential has heated up???) They will stay on even if I make stop and turn of the truck for a short while. They will only go away if I park the truck for an extended period of time and let it cool completely. Then of course the whole ritual will start over again the next day.
I will try topping off the brake fuild resivouir tonight...but it seem if it were brake fluid that the lights would come on immediatly after starting the truck and not seem to be subject the lenght of time/distance traveled?

Yomama · 11-22-2005, 11:04 AM

Again I called BS on the Slip and ABS being on for low brake fluid (that is what the "brake" light is for). When I had it in for them to check it they said that the diff light flashing and staying on sometimes was due to the rear end failing and they ordered me a new one (which I just got a call saying it was in and I am scheduled for next Monday). The Slip and ABS they claimed was because my brake fluid was low, well the next day after they filled it I got the Slip and ABS, stays on until the vehicle is turned off and back on. Has come on two other times besides since they added brake fluid, so I mentioned it to the guy at the service dept. Now he says , well it could be caused by the failing diff........Ah Ha, seems to me I said that!!!

*flyguy* · 11-22-2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yomama

Again I called BS on the Slip and ABS being on for low brake fluid (that is what the "brake" light is for). When I had it in for them to check it they said that the diff light flashing and staying on sometimes was due to the rear end failing and they ordered me a new one (which I just got a call saying it was in and I am scheduled for next Monday). The Slip and ABS they claimed was because my brake fluid was low, well the next day after they filled it I got the Slip and ABS, stays on until the vehicle is turned off and back on. Has come on two other times besides since they added brake fluid, so I mentioned it to the guy at the service dept. Now he says , well it could be caused by the failing diff........Ah Ha, seems to me I said that!!!

Funny story (not really), but this just happened to me yesterday. I got a new axle coming. Dealer said he has already changed 5 of them and the flasshing DIFF LOCK light and the SLIP/ABS lights are signs that the rear end is going to fail. He said it was the same thing on the last 5 he changed.

Here is my thread from this morning regarding the same problem.

Another REAR END ready to fail

Yomama · 11-22-2005, 01:36 PM

flyguy, I saw your thread also. Funny nobody else gets the early failure warning, maybe this is a new feature on the 05 models

Yomama

dooboy2112 · 11-22-2005, 01:47 PM

Slip light + ABS does mean low brake fluid. Happen to me.

*flyguy* · 11-23-2005, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dooboy2112

Slip light + ABS does mean low brake fluid. Happen to me.

I'm not buying this theory either. I just went and checked my brake fluid and it is at MAX.

Armada · 11-23-2005, 11:34 AM

While I can't say that slip light + ABS is ALWAYS an indication of low brake fluid, I can say that low fluid WILL cause this. It may not be the only thing. It happened to me and to many others here.

When low fluid causes the system to have problems pushing the pistons all the way out of the calipers so the pads can contact the rotor, this combo of lights will occur.

Several of us here know that topping out the brake fluid reservoir fixes this most common example of that light combination. Since it is a quick and inexpensive fix, it is worth trying before you assume that you have something worse wrong.

Just a suggestion. With respect, it is NOT BS.