Nissan primera p11 144 few problems

I have a few problems with my Primera, which I've had since 2012. The history of the car is one owner, FSH, 55,000 miles when I bought it (66k now). It was in such good condition it even had the original back tyres on. All in all it's in excellent condition, but does have a few issues I'd like to resolve:

1) This is the main one, the brakes do a weird grinding thing when I'm at low speeds. I can feel the pedal pop and grind under my foot and it makes a nasty sound. It did this when I bought it and we assumed it was a rust patch, but it continued even after changing the brakes. Wondered if it could be something to do with the ABS perhaps? It only happens at low speeds, like as I'm coming to a full stop or if I'm just easing into a parking space then tap the brake. Usually doesn't have any performance issue but sometimes the car keeps rolling, the only way I can describe it is - imagine putting the pedal down and it hitting something so not fully engaging, then a second later it fully engages.

2) Fuel gauge doesn't work. When I fill the tank up it does show it's full, but then just does its own thing and often shows completely empty.

3) Rev meter stops working sometimes. This is either accurate, or at 0. Doesn't seem to be any pattern to it, but is more recent (problem 2 has always been there since I bought it)

4) I've noticed a couple of times that the driver window switch 'sticks' when I try to close the window. Totally fine opening, but sometimes needs a few attempts to close again.

5) Internal right indicator doesn't always work. The outside light *always* works, it's only the flashing arrow inside that sometimes cuts out. Again, doesn't seem to be any reason or pattern. I assume it's the sender, does anyone know which one in particular it requires?

6) At the last MOT, an advisory was the heat deflector plate underneath is loose. They said it's no problem and just to keep an eye on it, but it makes a noise at low speeds and sounds like I'm a hillbilly, so would like to get it sorted. Is there a rough price I should expect in a garage?


Finally, if anyone knows someone getting rid of a rear bumper for a red Primera, please let me know! I had a mishap with a lamppost and the bumper has a nice dent in it now. Purely cosmetic but would like to change it if possible and my local breakers yard doesn't have any.

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the quick response!

So the million dollar questions are, how do I replace the faults? Is this simple stuff to replace or should I take it to a garage?? Im pretty novice but would really like to learn, at least the less specialist stuff.

imckay wrote: The ABS kicking in is very likely to be a cracked ABS ring. The ABS ring is part of the CV joint. An independant garage should be able to sort for less than £100. Not common but the dash does sometimes fail on this model. There was a change around Y reg, so if you look for a replacement make sure you get the right one. On my Mrs old Micra, I wrapped some wire around a rattling heatshield to keep it quiet.

Is the abs something I could do myself or is it for a pro? My dad used to be a mechanic so I'm not against trying the DOT route

The dash, where could I pick one up? Is it likely to be that given the delay between one dial going wrong and the other, would it not have happened at once?

Heat shield I figured I would just remove if I can access it. Although if it ends up in the garage for the ABS anyway I'll have them sort it then

imckay wrote: If your Dad used to be a Mechanic, then changing the CV joint shouldn't be a problem for him. And you get to learn as well Ebay (search primera breaking) or online breakers for the dash. The dashes can have odd and intermittent problems. I am pretty sure the mileage is stored on the dash, so you will end up with the mileage from the donor car. Excellent on the ABS - Any particular place you can recommend to get one? Ideally I'd like to keep the mileage. Does it need a replacement dash or can a few wires be soldered?

You can buy a ABS ring and fit that to the cv joint after you have remove the old one.Or you could buy a new cv joint with a ABS ring already fitted.