nothing.
I got the tech to take a ride with me and we only got a slight hint of spark knock, not enough to make a person stop and ask "What the heck is that?"

Pretty disappointing to say the least.

THe other interesting part is the Suzuki scan tool.  This is not a generic code reader but rather a sophisticated piece of magic that allows the user to monitor the actual inputs going to the PCM.  I won't go into the boring details here but we had it hooked up while I drove and also at idle, back on the dealer lot.  I was allowed to run through the screens while referencing a PDF of the FSM that shows the allowed values for each device.  In particular, I keyed on the TPS and the EGR functions on the tool. Both of those were in spec.  So was the timing both at idle and 2500 RPM.  So there goes my theory about the TPS being hosed in some fashion.  This thing also shows actual engine temp, batt voltage, EVAP duty cycles and more.  It was very interesting to say the least.  WHen you want to capture some data for download and printout, you "freeze frame" the unit captures the data to be downloaded.  if you hit the RWD switch, it will show "electrical load" being placed on the engine (Oddly, it does not see the DRM as being an electrical load).  If you hit the AC, it will tell you the AC is on.

ALl in all, it told us a lot about a normally functioning engine!  It did not tell us anything that raised a red flag about the spark knock.

Status:
Tech and service writer will be talking to ASMC to dig further on this perhaps a TSB or another guy saying "Yeah I had that on XXXXX and here's what I did to fix it".  Its a long shot, but what else do I have?

Next, I will see what they come back with.  If they want to do some sort of fix, I am down with that.  If they come back and say "run 89 or 94 octane" then I will disagree of course.  To me, that's a band aid fix.  I find it very hard to believe that Suzuki would manufacture a vehicle that cannot run on commonly found pump gas.  Otherwise, thousands of zuke owners would be bitching up a storm.

If option 2 is all that I can get from ASMC and the dealer, then I will begin the process of getting rid of this rig and getting another vehicle, probably a Toyota Corolla at this point.  It makes no sense to make a $300/month payment on a vehicle that is going to be a problem child.  And with the severity of spark knock, its only a matter of time before I blow a hole in a piston or burn the valves.  Either of which is expensive to replace.

Stay tuned.

FWIW......the dealer was good, the new place.  They just could not fully duplicate the issue and were at just as much a loss as I was with a reason for the knock.

It sounds like you have had this problem for a while, have you tried a different brand of gas, not just the cheapest avalable? I know in this time of high prices it is easier said than done, but it could be just the additives that particular brand has. How many miles on it? have you replaced plugs yet? An incorrect heat range spark plug will do that. Just throwing out ideas.... :-/

1.  Yes
2.  Yes.
3.  Yes.

THe other interesting part is the Suzuki scan tool.  This is not a generic code reader but rather a sophisticated piece of magic that allows the user to monitor the actual inputs going to the PCM.  I won't go into the boring details here but we had it hooked up while I drove and also at idle, back on the dealer lot.  I was allowed to run through the screens while referencing a PDF of the FSM that shows the allowed values for each device.  In particular, I keyed on the TPS and the EGR functions on the tool. Both of those were in spec.  So was the timing both at idle and 2500 RPM.  So there goes my theory about the TPS being hosed in some fashion.  This thing also shows actual engine temp, batt voltage, EVAP duty cycles and more.  It was very interesting to say the least.  WHen you want to capture some data for download and printout, you "freeze frame" the unit captures the data to be downloaded.  if you hit the RWD switch, it will show "electrical load" being placed on the engine (Oddly, it does not see the DRM as being an electrical load).  If you hit the AC, it will tell you the AC is on.

That's all generic OBD2 data.  A generic scan tool will do all that if you get one that supports it (they aren't cheap tho).  The inexpensive ones just pull and reset codes.

I find it very hard to believe that Suzuki would manufacture a vehicle that cannot run on commonly found pump gas.

They actually specify in the manual to run ONLY regular unleaded to "avoid engine damage", at least in the Sidekick owners manual.

If you are convinced it's a spark
knock, try a set of cold plugs, like
3 or 4 ranges lower than what you
have, but don't fork over $$ for
Platinum plugs until you find the
one that works for you, just try
some cheep regular plugs for now

Wild

No contact from the dealer or zuke at this point.  Maybe they are still "collating" data?

Two questions, hamster man.  One, why do you call yourself SAMURAI hamster when you clearly have a cheese-wagon base Vitara(which you pay $300/mo. for? )  Two, why did you join a Suzuki ENTHUSIAST website if you do nothing but call them junk and spout off about giving it up for one of the worlds most bland sell out cars...a Corolla .  Anyway, you seem to know a bit about your zuk, so I beg of you, for your own good and everyone else's, use said knowledge to mod your ride and go have some fun with it.  Instead of using it to find problems to complain about.  Moral of the story, way more zukin, way less torturing the service department at your Suzuki dealer.  

Note to lawdog:

When you want to begin making the payments, inspection, plates, insurance and gas, then and ONLY then do you ever tell me what I can and cannot say about my rig.  Got that?  

I don't know who the f*** you are or what you are even doing here but be grateful you are miles away behind a computer.  Otherwise, had you spouted that crap to my face, I promise you beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I would kick the living shit out of you to teach you a lesson you'd never soon forget.

Got it?

Good.

now go hassle someone else before I get really angry.

Law Dog... take a look at something:









Have you looked at all 700 some posts by Samurai Hamster before you made your comments? Heck, he's even got more posts than me!  

And while I like mudding too... that's still not the greatest first post to a forum. Coulda worked on Pirate, but not here.

Heather

Two questions, hamster man.  One, why do you call yourself SAMURAI hamster when you clearly have a cheese-wagon base Vitara(which you pay $300/mo. for? )  Two, why did you join a Suzuki ENTHUSIAST website if you do nothing but call them junk and spout off about giving it up for one of the worlds most bland sell out cars...a Corolla .  Anyway, you seem to know a bit about your zuk, so I beg of you, for your own good and everyone else's, use said knowledge to mod your ride and go have some fun with it.  Instead of using it to find problems to complain about.  Moral of the story, way more zukin, way less torturing the service department at your Suzuki dealer.  

I would almost swear that this was another TITAN spouting off...I'm with hcgalvin and I back samurai_hamster 110% ,so if you can't say something nice here then keep your comments to yourself.  

If you are convinced it's a spark
knock, try a set of cold plugs, like
3 or 4 ranges lower than what you
have, but don't fork over $$ for
Platinum plugs until you find the
one that works for you, just try
some cheep regular plugs for now

Wild

Wild, I thought about your idea all week and time permitting tomorrow, I'm gonna toss in a set of Autolites and see where it gets me.  I figure less than 10 bucks to experiment is worth it.

the OEM plug is an NGK IFR5J11.......iridium no less and these babies are expensive.  Like over 10 bucks per plug.

I would almost swear that this was another TITAN spouting off...I'm with hcgalvin and I back samurai_hamster 110% ,so if you can't say something nice here then keep your comments to yourself.

I would've thought this was another account of TITAN's, however the spelling and grammar is nearly comprehensible, so that disqualifies him. This is a brand new moron.

Who doesn't complain with there's something wrong with their vehicle?

I agree with everyone elses comments about your conduct, LawDog. Either say something constructive or GTFO.

Hmmmm, I'm confused...why does everyone jump on the guy who says to stop fussing and go muddin, and defend the guy who says he's gonna give up his zuk for a Corolla.  Hamster, my stance remains the same, mellow out and enjoy your rig.  To everyone, I may be new to the website but I'm not new to cars.  In fact, the reason I was so harsh on hampter is I'm on the other side of the coin day in and day out.  Don't come in to a dealership and act like they owe you the world because your car is making a noise that doesn't even reproduce when the tech is accomodating enough to go for a drive with you.  And I notice that after initial reply you proceeded to, after idly threatening me, you conceeded that instead of waiting for the dealer to tell you what to do and then tell them they were wrong, you would try his cold plug idea after all.  So even though you took offense to my reply, a little light went on somewhere too, didn't it?

Hmmmm, I'm confused...why does everyone jump on the guy who says to stop fussing and go muddin, and defend the guy who says he's gonna give up his zuk for a Corolla.  Hamster, my stance remains the same, mellow out and enjoy your rig.  To everyone, I may be new to the website but I'm not new to cars.  In fact, the reason I was so harsh on hampter is I'm on the other side of the coin day in and day out.  Don't come in to a dealership and act like they owe you the world because your car is making a noise that doesn't even reproduce when the tech is accomodating enough to go for a drive with you.  And I notice that after initial reply you proceeded to, after idly threatening me, you conceeded that instead of waiting for the dealer to tell you what to do and then tell them they were wrong, you would try his cold plug idea after all.  So even though you took offense to my reply, a little light went on somewhere too, didn't it?

sigh....i love that "just because im new u pick on me thing" u insulted him..he is a good member of this board so YES u will get jumped on..same goes for anyother pearson being such a prick

2nd the dealer does OWE him...10yr 100kmiles (whatever the warrenty is) so whatever goes wrong is on the stealer...what u fail to understand is that if people dont buy cars the dealers are outa buisness so customer relations SHOULD be top on there list..evidently making money is on the top which doesnt make much sense

also before u flame me..my father a few years ago worked for the biggest ford dealership in cali Hayward ford..that was also my first job and i worked there a LONG time..my dad has worked 30+ years in large dealerships i have been exposed to them my entire life..so i am on a first name go to the ball game kinda relationship with the headchesemos of ford and there associates always have been...so i dont just go making wild acusations  

And I notice that after initial reply you proceeded to, after idly threatening me, you conceeded that instead of waiting for the dealer to tell you what to do and then tell them they were wrong, you would try his cold plug idea after all.  So even though you took offense to my reply, a little light went on somewhere too, didn't it?

What make you think it's idly threatening you all we here suggested to you is if you cannot say anything nice here don't say anything at all... And since it doesn't pretain to a technical answer to a technical question then button your lip!

sigh....i love that "just because im new u pick on me thing" u insulted him..he is a good member of this board so YES u will get jumped on..same goes for anyother pearson being such a prick

Kudos to Mike71 he couldn't have said it any better.