Okay here goes, 1996 x90 4wd bought for $1500.00 (minimal rust) location GUAM, replaced fuel pump/fuel pressure regulator/starter/radiator/pcv/timming belt & tensioner/water pump, then added lowrange off-road basic and complete 2" spacer budget lift kit, sky 1" body lift, rear control arm drop bracket, grand vitara 16" rims and 225/60/16 tires. Ran excellent for six months on and off-road, was planing on adding AT tires on original 15" rims, headers and cat back exhaust.. but nooooo... now have more pressing issues!!!  idle bouncing from as low as dying to 2000 rpm will not smooth out - black smoke out of exhaust (lots of it) - idiot lights on (check engine/brake).  Things i've done cleaned egr system/iac valve/emmision solenoid valve/check and cleaned maf sensor (ignition-on engine not running 2.7 volts/engine running 2.8 volts).  Problem still exist, WHAT GIVES?

I know you guys like pics, will be posting later.

sounds like a possible vacuum leak, but have the codes read as that will probably steer you in the correct direction.

Probably the reason the brake light is on on the dash it because either the parking brake wire is grounded, or the fluid level is low in the reservoir.
That doesn't sound right for the MAF readings.  I don't have time to look them up now, but I can look later.
I would get the error codes read and see why the CEL is on.  That will more than likely tell you where the problem lies.

Mine did that for a while when it was real cold out, it turned out to be one of the real small coolant lines that runs from under the intake manifold to the upper part to heat it up around the maf sensor, it kinda runs all over the place and you might have to pull the intake off to clean it depending on where the clogged up section is.

Things I will do...
Re: talonxracer - I did think of vacuum leak and will definitely schedule for a scan.
Re: Skyhiranger - Not only is brake idiot light on, brakes extremely affected, you have to literally stand on it, fluid level okay, will check for grounding possibility.  As for MAF reading your right, it is off.  HANES says 1.0 to 1.6 volts with ignition on and 1.7 to 2.0 volts with engine at idle, sooooo... I guess MAF replacement is a must.
Re: mrfuelish - Will check for that coolant line, hey anything is possible.
Thanks guys.

Now for the pics I promised...

Things I will do...
Re: talonxracer - I did think of vacuum leak and will definitely schedule for a scan.
Re: Skyhiranger - Not only is brake idiot light on, brakes extremely affected, you have to literally stand on it, fluid level okay, will check for grounding possibility.  As for MAF reading your right, it is off.  HANES says 1.0 to 1.6 volts with ignition on and 1.7 to 2.0 volts with engine at idle, sooooo... I guess MAF replacement is a must.
Re: mrfuelish - Will check for that coolant line, hey anything is possible.
Thanks guys.

Now for the pics I promised...

If you are having to stand on the brake pedal, to get the brakes to work, then it sounds like you lost your power assist (can mean a leak in the brake booster vacuum line (or a restriction, or the check valve in backwards), air in the lines, reservoir needs bled, a leak in the brake booster diaphragm, or possibly something else).  Have you ever worked on the brakes, had any previous issues, etc.?
If you have a decent quality meter that you are checking the MAF voltage with, then it does sound like the MAF is bad.

Quote from: busta on April 27, 2012, 06:03:48 AM

Things I will do...
Re: talonxracer - I did think of vacuum leak and will definitely schedule for a scan.
Re: Skyhiranger - Not only is brake idiot light on, brakes extremely affected, you have to literally stand on it, fluid level okay, will check for grounding possibility.  As for MAF reading your right, it is off.  HANES says 1.0 to 1.6 volts with ignition on and 1.7 to 2.0 volts with engine at idle, sooooo... I guess MAF replacement is a must.
Re: mrfuelish - Will check for that coolant line, hey anything is possible.
Thanks guys.

Now for the pics I promised...

If you are having to stand on the brake pedal, to get the brakes to work, then it sounds like you lost your power assist (can mean a leak in the brake booster vacuum line (or a restriction, or the check valve in backwards), air in the lines, reservoir needs bled, a leak in the brake booster diaphragm, or possibly something else).  Have you ever worked on the brakes, had any previous issues, etc.?
If you have a decent quality meter that you are checking the MAF voltage with, then it does sound like the MAF is bad.

Something I've failed to mention, when this problem started it lasted about two weeks then suddenly everything back to normal, idiot lights disappeared/brakes worked perfectly/idled smooth/did not blow smoke. This happens off and on for about five months now.  Any ideas?

That sounds like a corroded or bad ground or a short/bad connection within the harness.

But that shouldnt have any impact upon how the brakes feel,

Do you have ABS on this vehicle?

That sounds like a corroded or bad ground or a short/bad connection within the harness.

But that shouldnt have any impact upon how the brakes feel,

Do you have ABS on this vehicle?

Let me start by giving myself a JETHRO GIBBS slap.
Great reply, will definitly add to my "things I will do list".
Yes I do have ABS.

 Try removing the ABS fuse to see if that helps the brake issues

I suspect a bad servo or a bad pipe to the servo, that could cause bad brakes and a bad idle.

I agree with Rhino. Sounds like a bad vacume booster...Boxcar...

I suspect a bad servo or a bad pipe to the servo, that could cause bad brakes and a bad idle.

Would that also explain black smoke out of exhaust?

Hey "Chelus" brothers in Chamorro, my native language, just wanted to give an update.  I've cleaned and inspected all grounding points/electrical connectors and small coolant lines in engine bay, and as I've mentioned earlier cleaned/inspected egr system, iac valve, emmision solenoid valve, check and cleaned maf sensor.  Now I'am patiently awaiting scan test (they run by appointment only) prior to purchasing a new MAF, in the mean time I plan to remove dashboard and inspect those grounding points as well as vacume booster as per Rhinoman's suspicion.

Now for some humor, My wife suggested to go green and trade my x90 for one of these... see pic below

                                           x90                                               carabao

fuel                                regular gas                                            grass
                                  ($4.97 a gallon)                       (grows abundantly throughout)

curb weight                       2,400 lb                                   adult close to 2,000 lb

L/W/H                        146 in / 66.7 in / 61 in                           average adult
                                                                    96 in / 34 in / 56 in "bottom of hoof to top of back"

top speed                          85 mph                        I don't know, best to get out of his way.

not cooperating        spend money for parts                            stay the hell away!

horse power                       94 plus                can easily drag my x90 around without breaking sweat

at end of life                     sell parts                            make steaks, stew, jerky, ribs etc.

Hey "Chelus" brothers in Chamorro, my native language, just wanted to give an update.  I've cleaned and inspected all grounding points/electrical connectors and small coolant lines in engine bay, and as I've mentioned earlier cleaned/inspected egr system, iac valve, emmision solenoid valve, check and cleaned maf sensor.  Now I'am patiently awaiting scan test (they run by appointment only) prior to purchasing a new MAF, in the mean time I plan to remove dashboard and inspect those grounding points as well as vacume booster as per Rhinoman's suspicion.

Now for some humor, My wife suggested to go green and trade my x90 for one of these... see pic below

                                           x90                                               carabao

fuel                                regular gas                                            grass
                                  ($4.97 a gallon)                       (grows abundantly throughout)

curb weight                       2,400 lb                                   adult close to 2,000 lb

L/W/H                        146 in / 66.7 in / 61 in                           average adult
                                                                    96 in / 34 in / 56 in "bottom of hoof to top of back"

top speed                          85 mph                        I don't know, best to get out of his way.

not cooperating        spend money for parts                            stay the hell away!

horse power                       94 plus                can easily drag my x90 around without breaking sweat

at end of life                     sell parts                            make steaks, stew, jerky, ribs etc.

i LOVE IT!!