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Nov 10, 2015

ATTESA - The Nissan Skyline GT-R All Wheel Drive System

Does not actually have ATTESA. Fast and Furious 4 buggy car.  Video here
So, how much do you really know about ATTESA. Its kind of an odd name. Its Nissan's name for their all wheel drive system, first showing up around 1987. Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain or ATTESA. You will also see it called ATTESA ETS, and a version called ATTESA ETS-Pro. ETS for electronic torque split.  ETS Pro is the more advanced system, seen on the R33, and R34 Vspec.

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Some people, many people think that the R32,R33, R34 GT-R have a switch that allows the car to be rear wheel drive only, as part of the all wheel drive system.  Other people say, how can you dyno it rear wheel drive?, or how is that all wheel drive GT-R doing burnouts?.  So here are some truths.

1) No R32,R33, or R34 GT-R came from the factory with a switch to turn off all wheel drive. It is possible to pull a fuse, disconnect a wire, or trick the system into going rear wheel drive only, its not a factory on/off switch. There are aftermarket controllers, or some people wire in their own switch, but its not from the Nissan factory. Not talking about GTS4, or R35 GT-R, just R32,R33,R34 GT-R.

2)It is not difficult to remove drive to the front wheels by either pulling the ATTESA fuse (R32) or pulling the front propshaft (R32,R33,R34).  Even though you can just pull the fuse on an R32, if you are going for extended dyno runs, where the front wheels are static, with the rear wheels moving up to 150 mph, we HIGHLY recommend pulling the front propshaft. Its 6 bolts to remove, and your transfercase clutches will survive much longer. If you pull the fuse on an R33 or R34, the system defaults, and puts about 10% load to the clutchpack with backup power. This slight lockup causes a huge amount of heat if you run the car on the dyno. You will destroy your ATTESA clutchpack if you do this.

ATTESA System Overview Technical Document


Some pictures of the ATTESA system transfercase internals.

Infiniti FX35 clutch pack on the left. R34 clutch pack on the right

Transfercase chain, clutchpack, and front drive gear from an R34 transfercase

The R34 transfercase chain, and gear is a little smaller than the R32/R33. Check out this VIDEO for some comparisons.

Part Numbers for the ATTESA system

R32 GT-R

Accumulator - ATTESA ETS nitrogen 41630-20U00 (Fits R32, through R34)

How to remove and replace the ATTESA ETS nitrogen accumulator

ATTESA System summary R32 GT-R. R33 and R34 are similar


Common Problems

There are several areas you can have problems with the ATTESA system.  Please don't confuse ATTESA- the all wheel drive system, with the HICAS- all wheel steering. Seen many new owners ask about removing ATTESA, when they actually meant HICAS.  The ATTESA system is also tied into the ABS system, so an ABS fault will trigger an ATTESA light under most conditions.

If you get an ATTESA warning light on the instrument cluster here are a few things to check first.

1) Check the fluid level on the ATTESA header tank in the trunk. Its located on the right side rear, Its a small tank, that has a level sensor.



2) Check your tire condition and height. The wrong sized wheels and tires, or worn tires, can and will throw an ATTESA code. More information - Can I run different sized wheels and tires on my Skyline GT-R. 

3) A few ways to check the code. The ATTESA ECU is in the trunk, and it has a window in it. In the window is an LED light. The LED light will blink to the fault/code. The codes for each car are a little different. The codes between the normal cars, and the Vspec or ATTESA ETS Pro cars are a little different. Pay attention, because paying attention doesn't cost anything.

ATTESA ECU in the trunk of an R32. LED window visible on right rear corner


R32 GT-R ATTESA Codes

Using proper technique to check ATTESA codes on ECU. Note angle of left leg for proper points

1 Right front wheel speed sensor or circuit
2 Left front wheel speed sensor or circuit
3 Right rear wheel speed sensor or circuit
4 Left rear wheel speed sensor or circuit

5 ABS right front wheel actuator solenoid or circuit
6 ABS front front wheel actuator solenoid or circuit
7 ABS rear wheel actuator solenoid or circuit
8 ABS actuator motor, motor relay or circuit
9 ABS actuator relay or circuit

10 ETS control unit power supply or circuit
11 Fore-and-aft G sensor 1 or circuit
12 Fore-and-aft G sensor 2 or circuit
13 Fore-and-aft G sensor 1, fore-and-aft G sensor 2
14 G sensor power supply 1 or circuit
15 G sensor power supply 2 or circuit
16 Lateral G sensor or circuit

17 Air bleed connector or circuit
18 ETS pressure switch or circuit
           Troubleshooting Code 18 R32 GT-R
19 ETS motor, motor relay or circuit
20 ETS solenoid or circuit
21 Throttle sensor or circuit
22 ETS oil level switch or circuit
24 ETS control unit, ground or circuit

ATTESA Electrical Diagram ; R32 GT-R




Self Diagnosis Procedure R33(GTR and Vspec) and R34(GT-R) not Vspec

1)Drive vehicle at 30 km/hr for at least 1 minute. Bring vehicle to a full stop. Do not turn off engine. Look at LED at top of control unit (red lamp). Note the number of times it blinks ON and OFF.

If two or more systems are malfunctioning, all warning lamps will blink ON and OFF

2) After completing required maintenance procedures, be sure to erase results of self diagnosis testing from memory


3) Once again drive vehicle at 30 km/hr for at least 1 minute. Check that the 4wd warning lamp and ABS warning lamp are off.



R33 GT-R ATTESA  and ATTESA Pro Codes
1,5 Front right wheel sensor and circuit
2,6 Front left wheel sensor and circuit
3,7 Rear right wheel sensor and circuit
4,8 Rear left whel sensor and circuit

11,21 Front right inlet solenoid valve and circuit
12,22 Front left inlet solenoid valve and circuit
13,23 Rear inlet solenoid valve and circuit
15,25 Front right outlet solenoid valve and circuit
16,26 Front left outlet solenoid valve and circuit
17,27 Rear outlet solenoid valve and circuit

31,32,33 E-TS solenoid and circuit
34,35,36 E-TS fail safe solenoid and circuit
41,42 ABS actuator relay and circuit
43,44 ABS actuator motor , motor relay and circuit

45,46,77 ET-S/ABS control unit ground and circuit
47,48 E-TS/ABS control unit power supply and circuit
51,52 E-TS actuator motor and circuit

53,54 Pressure switch and circuit
55 Air bleed switch and circuit
56 E-TS oil level switch and circuit

61 FR and RR G sensor 1 and circuit
62 FR and RR G sensor 2 and circuit
63 FR and RR G sensor 1 or 2 and circuit
64 G sensor 1 power supply and circuit
65 G- sensor 2 power supply and circuit
66 Side G sensor and circuit

75 Throttle position sensor and circuit and sensor

R34 GT-R Normal Non-Vspec ATTESA Component Locations
R34 GT-R Normal Non-Vspec ATTESA Component Locations

R34 ATTESA System self Diagnostic Procedures
R34 ATTESA System self Diagnostic Procedures




Self Diagnostic Procedure R34 GT-R Vspec

1. Drive vehicle at approx. 30 km/h for approx. 1 minute

2. Stop vehicle and start diagnosis

3. Turn ignition switch "OFF"

4. Ground the self diagnostic terminal 4

5. Turn the ignition switch " ON" to start the self diagnostic results mode

CAUTION

KEEP terminal 4 grounded during self diagnosis

Do not depress brake pedal (Self diagnosis would not start)

Do not start engine (Self diagnosis would not start)

6. After 3 or 4 seconds, ABS warning lamp starts blinking to indicate the malfunction code
Self Diagnosis Procedure For R34 GT-R Vspec ATTESA
Self Diagnosis Procedure For R34 GT-R Vspec ATTESA



R34 GT-R ATTESA (Normal, not Vspec) Codes
1,5 Front right wheel sensor and circuit
2,6 Front left wheel sensor and circuit
3,7 Rear right wheel sensor and circuit
4,8 Rear left whel sensor and circuit

11,21 Front right inlet solenoid valve and circuit
12,22 Front left inlet solenoid valve and circuit
13,23 Rear inlet solenoid valve and circuit
15,25 Front right outlet solenoid valve and circuit
16,26 Front left outlet solenoid valve and circuit
17,27 Rear outlet solenoid valve and circuit
31,32,33 E-TS solenoid and circuit

34,35,36 E-TS fail safe solenoid and circuit
41,42 ABS actuator relay and circuit
43,44 ABS actuator motor , motor relay and circuit
45,46,77 ET-S/ABS control unit ground and circuit
47,48 E-TS/ABS control unit power supply and circuit

51,52 E-TS actuator motor and circuit
53,54 Pressure switch and circuit
55 Air bleed switch and circuit
56 E-TS oil level switch and circuit

61 FR and RR G sensor 1 and circuit
62 FR and RR G sensor 2 and circuit
63 FR and RR G sensor 1 or 2 and circuit
64 G sensor 1 power supply and circuit
65 G- sensor 2 power supply and circuit
66 Side G sensor and circuit

75 Throttle position sensor and circuit and sensor

ATTESA System Component Location R34 GT-R Vspec
ATTESA System Component Location R34 GT-R Vspec




R34 GT-R ATTESA Pro (VSPEC) Codes

21 Front right wheel sensor (open circuit)
22 Front right wheel sensor (short - circuit)
25 Front left wheel sensor (open circuit)
26 Front left wheel sensor (short circuit)
31 Rear right wheel sensor (short circuit)
32 Rear left wheel sensor (short circuit)
35 Rear left wheel sensor (open circuit)
36 Rear left wheel sensor (short circuit)

41 Front right outlet solenoid valve and circuit
42 Front right inlet solenoid valve and circuit
45 Front left outlet solenoid valve and circuit
46 Front left inlet solenoid valve and circuit
55 Rear outlet solenoid valve and circuit
56 Rear inlet solenoid valve and circuit

57 Battery voltage
61 ABS actuator motor and motor relay circuit
63 ABS acutuator relay circuit

64 FR & RR G sensor 1
65 FR & RR G sensor 2
66 FR & RR sensor 1 or 2
68 G sensor voltage
69 Side G sensor voltage

71 ATTESA E_TS PRO/ABS control unit and circuit
72 Throttle position sensor
73,74 E-TS/LSD actuator motor

76,77 Pressure switch
78 Air bleed switch
79 Oil level switch

91,92,93 E-TS solenoid
94,95,96 E-TS fail safe solenoid
97,98,99 LSD solenoid






How to Erase Self Diagnosis results - R33 - R34

1) Remove cables from battery terminals. Also remove ETS/ABS control unit connectors.


More Information About the Nissan Skyline GT-R ATTESA System






2 comments:

Unknown said...

What is the procedure for diagnosing an ATTESA fault on an R32 GTR? Is it the same as the R33 one?

Sean Morris said...

Look at the light in the trunk, on the ATTESA ECU. Its on the left side under the rear deck.