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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: traderguy on November 13, 2010, 09:20:21 PM

Title: What years for bad caps in ecm
Post by: traderguy on November 13, 2010, 09:20:21 PM

Im new to suzukis and I have been reading on some of the common problems with the ecm capacitors.
My question is, Does it affect all samurais and sidekicks or is it more common to certain years?
I have a 94 samurai and Im wondering if I should replace my caps before I have any problems.
Thanks Dan

Title: Re: What years for bad caps in ecm
Post by: wildgoody on November 13, 2010, 09:57:41 PM

Early models, 89-91 or 92 but I have an 89' and almost 300K miles
with no problems, but I also have a Japan built one, so I wonder
what the numbers are for Japan built and CAMI built and ECU cap
failures, or if it makes no difference at all

Word is if you have the Rubycon brand caps get them replaced with
better ones before they fail and leave you stuck

Wild

Title: Re: What years for bad caps in ecm
Post by: Rhinoman on November 14, 2010, 08:38:51 AM

Nearly all of them will fail in time, the caps have a limited life. The problem is worse on 8Vs because of high recirculating currents in the injector driver stage. Capacitor life will be shortened considerably by running with a bad battery or with dirty battery connections.
I would change the caps every 10yrs or 100k as a service item.

Title: Re: What years for bad caps in ecm
Post by: wildgoody on November 14, 2010, 08:48:23 AM

 :o   I'm a little over due

21 year old truck, and 290,000 miles

Title: Re: What years for bad caps in ecm
Post by: traderguy on November 14, 2010, 02:34:45 PM

Looks like I will be changing mine. It has a 110,000 How easy is it to remove ecm..

Title: Re: What years for bad caps in ecm
Post by: wildgoody on November 15, 2010, 01:51:27 AM

I pulled mine out about 7 years ago, took the top
off and was looking for swollen/leaking caps, found
nothing and put it back.

I don't remember it being hard to remove, but it's
under the dash so you likely will have to play contortionist
to get at it

Title: Re: What years for bad caps in ecm
Post by: likinit2 on November 15, 2010, 03:48:12 PM

I just took mine out, it is held in with Phillips head screws and I could not get them to turn. (yes I had a like new snap-on #3) I would have stripped the heads out of them so I used an impact wrench and they zip out real easy if you have that problem. Otherwise it is just a contortion thing as mentioned and removal of a few other things to get to it.