rodeo fuel gauge problems

dpo22 · #1 10-07-2003, 09:06 AM

i have a 1999 rodeo the fuel gauge will drop to empty when you start the vehicle. the warning light will flash. than as you drive the fuel level will return to normal. the dealer says this is a regular problem and he has replaced at least 12 of then this year. i have called isuzu about this problem and they say they know nothing about this and i should have the problem checked out at my local dealership. i guess my question is has anyone else hae this problen and do i really have to replace the $350 fuel pump

rodeo02 · #2 10-07-2003, 12:00 PM

This is a common problem with 1998-2000 rodeos. The contacts on the float switch in the gas tank get weak & cause funky gauge readings. This will also set off the check engine light. You have to pull the gas tank to remove the sending unit to get at it. You can fix the one you have by bending / "adjusting" the electrical contact points so they make good contact again, or you can just replace the sending unit. The thing is, the new one will only last about 30Kmi & you'll be in the same boat again!! I'd pay a mechanic to fix the old one. Isuzu redesigned the unit for 2001, which eliminates this problem, but the new unit wont fit pre 2001's. G/luck!
Joel

mboteo · #3 10-15-2003, 01:49 PM

Same problem with my Rodeo 1999. Started around 50k miles. Is there a recall on this. Will the dealer fix this for free?

2eyefishclaw · #4 10-16-2003, 10:46 PM

Isuzu tried to fix the problem for 01 I change them on a daily basis
the problem is that Isuzu is fitting their vehicles with to many GM parts

RoyceFink · #5 12-02-2003, 07:18 PM

If you adjust the points, will you have to keep readjusting them periodically? Thanks, Royce

Robs2001LE · #6 01-20-2004, 05:08 PM

I don't think they fixed the problem. I have a 2001 and am having the same problem now. What realy sucks is that it is time for my vehicle inspection, but the check engine light is comming on as a result of the sending unit problem! To make it even worse, the local Isuzu dealerships are telling me that even though the fuel pump is covered by the warranty (Rodeo has 53K, warranty is 120K), the sending unit is not (50K). Now ain't that a load of BS? You cannot buy these parts separately, you have to buy the pump which comes with the sending unit as a part of it, yet they are telling me that the warranty covers each part separately. I already have a call into Isuzu USA and am awaiting a call back from the Texas manager, so we will see. Any other Houstonians on the board?

rodeo02 · #7 01-20-2004, 06:08 PM

Robs- Per this post @ http://www.forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?t=579 you can buy the float switch separately. The sending unit (w/out the pump) is P/N 8-25323-011-0. Then again, this is supossedly for 1998-2000. Who knows

Might be worth a try- atleast to toss at your dealer!
G/luck
Joel

Tom Q · #8 01-23-2004, 12:15 PM

I called my local dealer and they sell the sending unit without the pump (you have to give them the part number) for about $ 65 compared the whole unit of about $ 350.

2eyefishclaw · #9 01-23-2004, 07:20 PM

do not go out buying anything. if you are the original owner your vehicle is a 2000 model or newer you are less than 120,000 miles Isuzu is going to pay for a new fuel pump to be installed......

second owner 5 year or 60,000 miles isuzu will pay for the pump...

take it to the dealer tewll thyem to change it

Robs97KingCabPU · #10 01-24-2004, 11:54 AM

Hah! Thanks for the input, guys. I ended up calling the (800) Isuzu customer number, and they passed me on to the Texas regional manager. After leaving several messages for him, he finally called back and said he would look into the problem. Well guess what? After not hearing anything for the next two days, I called my local dealership again (Champion Isuzu, for any of you in the Houston area), and this time the service rep. I spoke to said that it was indeed covered. Got chewed out maybe? Don't know, and probably never will, but either way, I will be taking it in Monday, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Sucks to think that I had to do all that though, and wonder how many poor suckers got ripped off because they took their word instead of finding out the truth?

cindyo37 · #11 03-17-2004, 12:50 PM

I have a 2001 rodeo with the same problem. it has 65,000 miles on it . Will this be covered under warranty.

Jovian9 · #12 01-02-2005, 10:29 PM

This just began occurring on my '99 Rodeo LS V6 4WD.......and it is at 63k. I am the 2nd owner of this Rodeo and bought the Indiana Used Warranty for coverage until the Rodeo reaches 100k. This is a full warranty for the car and a powertrain warranty. Wonder if my warranty will help?

Volkswagon · #13 01-21-2005, 01:40 PM

bump this, I replaced this item and now the fuel pump starts up only when the engines cold.

Bigpoppax2 · #14 01-27-2005, 09:41 AM

This is a known problem and I did a writeup with the part numbers and a few pictures.

No, this is not always covered by warranty. If you have the big warranty (2000 and up) from Isuzu and you are the first owner, then yes you should be able to get it fixed. If you are the second owner or have a 98 or 99, you are out of luck.

Me, I have a 98 Honda Passport so it was up to me.

Here's the writeup: http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm/116

Joe

TOM B · #15 01-13-2008, 07:30 PM

My 99 rodeo just had the same problem. fuel gauge off and fuel light coming on. I ordered a sending unit from a Ebay dealer and installed it, thought it worked fine till I got down to a quarter tank and the fuel light came on again.
Took the tank down again and checked the sensor out,, it was working correct. called a friend that worked for a Honda dealer and he said to reset the gauge in the dash as some all fuel sending units are not calabrated the same. it works great now and here is how to do it. Run the tank as low as you can till you think its close to enpty.
On the dash, take out the two fillips head screws just above the speedo and tach. On the panel below the steering wheel take out the lower right screw, now with a flat blade screw driver pry out the lower dash, put the screw driver behind the plastic on each side of the column and it will pop out, dont pull it out all the way just about 2 inches. under this plastic cover you will see 3 more screws on the left side and 1 screw on the right side holding the lower part of the upper dash. now pry out the upper dash plastic piece, start from the radio and move to the left, behind it you will need to unplug 3 plugs on the left, a blue plug and a gray plug and a clear plug, just push in on the tab and pull out. now slid the upper dash to the right and out of the way.
Now take out the 4 screws holding the instrument cluster in, 2 on the right and 2 on the left side, pull out the panel, pop off the outer black plastic of the cluster to get to the instruments, to do this you must push in on all the clips and pull out the plastic piece with the clear plastic lens still atached.
Now you can touch the gauges. turn on the ignition key and Move the needle on the fuel gauge to enpty, be gental. now the gauge is reset and will work correct. if this sound to hard for you then get you local mechanic to do it, NOT THE DEALER.

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