1994 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2 v6 will not start

Ntrpryzer1 · #1 09-30-2006, 05:55 PM

Just replaced valve cover gaskets, tube seals, along with plugs & wires. I was having the #6 coil misfire and I also noticed that oil was leaking into the plug chambers. So my buddy (ASE tech) and I spent a few hours finishing this up and now the car will not start. Dash lights come on and radio works but ignition just clicks and will not fire up the engine? My Chilton guide says that certain Rodeos need to have their on-board computer "re-learn" itself whenever the battery is disconnected so I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it? Also, maybe the battery charge is too low? Bad starter? Bad Solenoid? No idea what to look for now & I've now put soooo much time into this thing, someone please help! Just need to get it running again asap!

surferfletch · #2 09-30-2006, 06:51 PM

Sounds like the battery. Test it first...

trooperbc · #3 09-30-2006, 08:49 PM

jump it. . .and go from there.

but then i'm not a ase tech. . .

sorry, couldn't resist

and the computer re-learn happens as you run it, so no, that's not what's keeping it from starting.

Ntrpryzer1 · #4 09-30-2006, 09:07 PM

I wish it were that simple. I just went out after reading this & tried to start it using the battery from an '04 Sequoia and I get the same thing. Again, pretty weird because all the elec stuff inside and alarm are working fine. Just missing some kind of connection to get the engine fired up.

Ntrpryzer1 · #5 09-30-2006, 09:10 PM

I also thought that maybe the alarm was locking me out through an ignition kill or something. I found the button and alarm components under the dash and tried starting it with the whole thing disabled... no change.

surferfletch · #6 09-30-2006, 09:59 PM

Single click or rapid clicking? When my starter went bad, I'd just get a single click. Do you have the original starter in there?

Ntrpryzer1 · #7 09-30-2006, 11:04 PM

Single click, like it's not even trying. I was told by the seller that the starter & alternator had been replaced but I don't know for sure yet.

Gizmo42 · #8 09-30-2006, 11:07 PM

I'm betting on the starter. Not unheard of for a new one to fail early.

Also make sure your grounds and battery cables are clean and in good condition.

Cat Fuzz · #9 10-01-2006, 12:30 AM

STARTER!!! Denso starters commonly fail in this way. Solonoid contacts wear down unevenly. Solonoid plunger is pulling down (the click) but not making the connection to energize the starter drive. Try starting it repeatedly, you should be able to get lucky and have it work.

Ntrpryzer1 · #10 10-01-2006, 11:49 AM

Thanks guys- my buddy should be able to make it over today & said he'd bring his tools and test the starter. Said we'd be able to tell within a few minutes whether or not it's got enough power to crank the engine. Will let you know how it goes...

Gizmo42 · #11 10-01-2006, 02:52 PM

I just went through this about an hour ago. Started fine when I left. Stopped at checkers and wouldnt crank, just clicked. My starter is less then a year old too. I tried banging on it with a hammer, no luck. After some searching around it turned out that my negative cable on the battery was loose and corroded. It was making enough contact for everything else to work but not enough for the starter.

Ntrpryzer1 · #12 10-02-2006, 12:43 PM

Dave-

So were you able to reconnect it OK & get it starting or do you need to replace the wiring for the battery?

Gizmo42 · #13 10-02-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ntrpryzer1

Dave-

So were you able to reconnect it OK & get it starting or do you need to replace the wiring for the battery?

I just cleaned it up (went back in the store and got some battery cleaner spray) then put the cable back on the battery and tightened it up some more. Once it was clean and tight it cranked right over.

I need to get a new battery eventually. This one works fine but doesnt seal very well around the negative post so that one always corrodes no matter what I do.

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