Ignition Interrupt - 96 Rodeo
jewllss
03-11-2004, 10:23 AM
I'm posting this in every forum because I need advice! (Looked at TSBs but not savvy enough to know if any apply.)
I have a '96 Isuzu Rodeo with some kind of "ignition interrupt" problem that's been going on for approx. 4 months and only occurs randomly, not every time I start it, although it's happening almost every day.
When I turn the key to start the truck, it's as if the key's still in the AUX position and the engine doesn't know it's supposed to start. There's no noise (whirrs or clicks), the dash lights all come on, the radio works, etc., but that's it. I've tried reinserting the key in different positions, even jiggling the steering wheel and making sure it's in PARK.
When this "interrupt" occurs, I have to wait anywhere from 15 minutes to :30, 1:30, over-night once, and yesterday it was 2 hours before it started. Sometimes re-setting the alarm system will make the truck start and sometimes actually tripping the alarm works, but this is rare. Since this behavior is random, I've found myself stranded at home, at the grocery store, at restaurants, and after work.
I took it to Isuzu a few weeks ago and it miraculously did the "interrupt" thing right in front of them so they ran diagnostics, said it was the starter and a continuity problem with the battery, fixed both, and the problem still persists. They said they were obviously wrong and will fix it but it has to "interrupt" in front of them again so I left it with them for a week and they said it started every time and they find no reason for it not to start. They're stumped and so am I.
I've tried everything suggested to me: remove the negative cable for five minutes (even the positive), change the key fob batteries in case it's sending a bad signal, leave the key fob in the house, replace the fuses associated with the ignition and starter, slam the doors and kick the tires!
I'm ready to trade this truck in but I'll be upside down on my payments. It's a nice truck and runs beautifully (it should, it's getting plenty of service) but this interrupt thing is driving me crazy! Can anybody help me? Do you know of something I can tell Isuzu to look at or replace?
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I have a '96 Isuzu Rodeo with some kind of "ignition interrupt" problem that's been going on for approx. 4 months and only occurs randomly, not every time I start it, although it's happening almost every day.
When I turn the key to start the truck, it's as if the key's still in the AUX position and the engine doesn't know it's supposed to start. There's no noise (whirrs or clicks), the dash lights all come on, the radio works, etc., but that's it. I've tried reinserting the key in different positions, even jiggling the steering wheel and making sure it's in PARK.
When this "interrupt" occurs, I have to wait anywhere from 15 minutes to :30, 1:30, over-night once, and yesterday it was 2 hours before it started. Sometimes re-setting the alarm system will make the truck start and sometimes actually tripping the alarm works, but this is rare. Since this behavior is random, I've found myself stranded at home, at the grocery store, at restaurants, and after work.
I took it to Isuzu a few weeks ago and it miraculously did the "interrupt" thing right in front of them so they ran diagnostics, said it was the starter and a continuity problem with the battery, fixed both, and the problem still persists. They said they were obviously wrong and will fix it but it has to "interrupt" in front of them again so I left it with them for a week and they said it started every time and they find no reason for it not to start. They're stumped and so am I.
I've tried everything suggested to me: remove the negative cable for five minutes (even the positive), change the key fob batteries in case it's sending a bad signal, leave the key fob in the house, replace the fuses associated with the ignition and starter, slam the doors and kick the tires!
I'm ready to trade this truck in but I'll be upside down on my payments. It's a nice truck and runs beautifully (it should, it's getting plenty of service) but this interrupt thing is driving me crazy! Can anybody help me? Do you know of something I can tell Isuzu to look at or replace?
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amigo-2k
03-11-2004, 10:58 AM
Well, looks like you did all the normal things. New battery and starter. I would pull and clean up all of the ground points from the battery to the body.
Or maybe you have a fault ignition switch?
-Ryan
Or maybe you have a fault ignition switch?
-Ryan
95.5 Rodeo
03-12-2004, 01:22 AM
When you turn the key you should hear the fuel pump run for 2 seconds then stop. Because the dealer replaced the starter, it wasn't cranking, right? Just a guess on my part, but I agree with Ryan, bad ignition switch. I'd like to know how this one turns out. Intermittent problems can be a bear to diagnose...
Dale
Dale
Davejb
03-12-2004, 09:01 AM
Does your alarm have a starter interrupt built in? If so the circuit or relay may be intermittant, even though your disarming the alarm it may not be enabling the starter circuit properly, just a guess.
jewllss
03-12-2004, 11:42 AM
When you turn the key you should hear the fuel pump run for 2 seconds then stop. Because the dealer replaced the starter, it wasn't cranking, right? Just a guess on my part, but I agree with Ryan, bad ignition switch. I'd like to know how this one turns out. Intermittent problems can be a bear to diagnose...
Dale
They replaced the starter because they said that's what the problem was. I've never thought it was the starter because there's never been any noise. None. It just acts as if it's in the AUX position rather than being started.
I think ignition switch is a good one to try.
Dale
They replaced the starter because they said that's what the problem was. I've never thought it was the starter because there's never been any noise. None. It just acts as if it's in the AUX position rather than being started.
I think ignition switch is a good one to try.
jewllss
03-12-2004, 11:54 AM
Does your alarm have a starter interrupt built in? If so the circuit or relay may be intermittant, even though your disarming the alarm it may not be enabling the starter circuit properly, just a guess.
I don't know if there's an interrupt feature built in or not.
One thing I've noticed is that this year's model (96) didn't come with the on/off switch in the dash but the year after did (97). This makes me a bit suspicious that maybe the alarm system had caused problems in the past and needed a safety feature added so people could turn it off.
"Tripping" the alarm did eliminate the problem at first, and sometimes still does, but the solution's never the same and neither is the length of time that we have to wait before the truck will start. The only thing that's consistent is that we have to wait. !!
I'm going back to Isuzu tomorrow and see if they can replace the ignition switch because they admit they were wrong and owe us a solution --- they'd like to figure this out, too.
Thanks for the ideas and let's keep our fingers crossed.
I don't know if there's an interrupt feature built in or not.
One thing I've noticed is that this year's model (96) didn't come with the on/off switch in the dash but the year after did (97). This makes me a bit suspicious that maybe the alarm system had caused problems in the past and needed a safety feature added so people could turn it off.
"Tripping" the alarm did eliminate the problem at first, and sometimes still does, but the solution's never the same and neither is the length of time that we have to wait before the truck will start. The only thing that's consistent is that we have to wait. !!
I'm going back to Isuzu tomorrow and see if they can replace the ignition switch because they admit they were wrong and owe us a solution --- they'd like to figure this out, too.
Thanks for the ideas and let's keep our fingers crossed.
rodeo02
03-12-2004, 09:59 PM
They replaced the starter because they said that's what the problem was. I've never thought it was the starter because there's never been any noise. None. It just acts as if it's in the AUX position rather than being started.
I think ignition switch is a good one to try.
Is this issue still happening with the new starter? My guess on this one is/was worn brushes in the starter (common higher mileage concern). A brush kit can be had at an electric motor shop for next to nothing & is often all the factory starter needs. I would HIGHLY suggest only going OEM on starter for isuzu's. It's worth the extra $$.
G/luck
Joel
I think ignition switch is a good one to try.
Is this issue still happening with the new starter? My guess on this one is/was worn brushes in the starter (common higher mileage concern). A brush kit can be had at an electric motor shop for next to nothing & is often all the factory starter needs. I would HIGHLY suggest only going OEM on starter for isuzu's. It's worth the extra $$.
G/luck
Joel
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