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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: RifleRide on February 19, 2004, 06:51:39 AM

Title: Check Engine Light
Post by: RifleRide on February 19, 2004, 06:51:39 AM
 I got a 89 Sidekick, 4x4 automatic.  I been fishing and hunting out of it for 6 months or so. Last Week the Check engine light came on.  I tried to disconnect the battery, jumper wire the terminal block to read codes, and removed fuses , all suggested by service manual.  Nothing worked. Light still on.  Its a 1.6 efi with 140,000 miles.  Runs great, but sometimes idles very rough.  Any ideas on correcting these problems?  I'm new to Suki terms and techs, but I got good mechanical sense and can do most repairs myself. HELP!!
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: mrfuelish on February 19, 2004, 07:11:49 AM
Did ya try to remove your left front speaker and bump the switch behind it?
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: RifleRide on February 19, 2004, 07:26:45 AM
Thanks, I will give that a try right now.
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: mavapa on February 19, 2004, 09:11:49 AM
Does that model actually have on-board diagnostics (OBD)? I think it's probably not OBD II compliant, but if it has the socket for a reader, you might be able to get someone from AutoZone or a similar place to read the code for you. My parents' Sidekick had a way to read the code by pressing something and noting the pattern of lights it gave. Did your manual say that your procedure actually resulted in a readable light pattern? Or does it just say that the procedure will clear the code?
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: Samurai_Hamster on February 19, 2004, 12:09:45 PM
I thought OBDII started '96 model year?  I could be wrong though
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: LilRed on February 19, 2004, 12:36:01 PM
Quote
I thought OBDII started '96 model year?  I could be wrong though


You're right, Hamster.  Thus, auto parts stores can't read codes on pre'96 models.
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: Natebert on February 19, 2004, 03:15:17 PM
Quote
I got a 89 Sidekick, 4x4 automatic.  I been fishing and hunting out of it for 6 months or so. Last Week the Check engine light came on.  I tried to disconnect the battery, jumper wire the terminal block to read codes, and removed fuses , all suggested by service manual.  Nothing worked. Light still on.  Its a 1.6 efi with 140,000 miles.  Runs great, but sometimes idles very rough.  Any ideas on correcting these problems?  I'm new to Suki terms and techs, but I got good mechanical sense and can do most repairs myself. HELP!!


You can jumper a wire over two sockets in the plug next to your battery  (forgot which color wires) to have your check engine light blink out the codes.

Then hop on line and get the codes definitions.

Don't know what you tried to get 'nothing worked'... but have you tripped the switch behind the speaker to reset it?

Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: RifleRide on February 19, 2004, 11:32:55 PM
What does the switch look like behind the speaker, I didn't see anything yesterday when I looked.
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: mavapa on February 20, 2004, 12:42:11 AM
Sammy-Hammy, I think OBDII did start around '96 - in fact it might have been one year later. I just wasn't sure whether there might have been a previous standard for computer readouts. In any event, my parents' old 'Kick had a way to read out the code in blinking lights. I think the Haynes manual told how to do it. Sorry I can't help more, since we got rid of that one a while ago.
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: Samurai_Hamster on February 20, 2004, 01:07:54 AM
Mopar rides used to allow you to cycle the ignition switch to get a morse code type blink on the odometer.

Not too sure if zuke will do that, I am kinda thinking you need a scantool to get the codes.
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: RifleRide on February 20, 2004, 01:27:39 AM
What is name or make of scan tool I could buy and who carries them?
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: mavapa on February 20, 2004, 02:24:16 AM
It might be hard to find a scan tool other than OBD II. You might try www.toolsource.com. I think they have various types of scan tools. I am not sure whether the "Chevrolet" Tracker needs the same type as the Suzuki Sidekick, but you might check that.
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: ppltrak on February 20, 2004, 02:53:07 AM
You can "flash codes" on that rig, but if no codes flash that normally means it's time to reset the maint. switch. Its normally located on the back of the left ft. speaker.

              see ya,
                    Kevin
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: RifleRide on February 22, 2004, 10:52:00 PM
Finally got the codes to flash.  Found the problem and the reset switch.  Thanks all for the advice and help.  Will have more questions soon.
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: wildgoody on February 23, 2004, 02:45:18 AM
Hey there Rifle, Where did you find your switch,
I've hunted for mine with no luck, my Check
Engine Light has been on for Da... Wee.. Mon... Years  :-/
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: RifleRide on February 23, 2004, 03:40:12 AM
Wildgoody,
It was underneath the steering column. I pulled the plastic cover off that surrounds the steering column adjuster, reached inside and down about 2 inches.  I had replaced my light and wiper controller last week and must have hit the switch when changing the wire harness.  As soon as I moved the switch, my check engine light went off and I could now read any codes that were saved.  
Title: Re: Check Engine Light
Post by: wildgoody on February 23, 2004, 01:38:20 PM
OK thanks, I'm gonna go out and look for it now,
get that frick-a-frackin light to go out, mine only
goes on at the milage intervals, and when the turbo
was first on it got tripped when the boost hit 6 PSI.