1994 Isuzu Rodeo running rich

[Jim Donoho]

My daughter's Rodeo started missing right at the time it would shift into 3ed. I found the plugs soaked in oil, cleaned plug well out and fixed it for 3000 miles. When the problem came back, I noticed black smoke. I'm convenced that it is running rich. I had more oil in the plug well but this time the fix did not last. Some days it was fine and some days it was very bad. She complained about using too much gas. We got her another car and I brought this one home to fix and sell. It set for 2 weeks, and now it does not start at all. I can not read out the codes, the plug does not seem to be behind the drivers kick plate. the ECU is, in fact there are 2 boxes and I do not know which is which. This is a 3.2 v6. I've changed the fuel regulator. The O2 sensor seems just fine. I attached a couple of wires so I can watch it in the car while I'm driving it(back when it was still running). Now, after I crank it, it will try to start but not very hard. I pull a plug and it is soaked with gas. I can watch the gas pressure and see the injectors hit each time the engin turns. All plugs are black so I do not think any one injector is bad. I've checked the MAP and the throttel feedback. Any ideas what could be causing this to dump so much gas into all 6 cylenders?? Could any one tell me how to read out the codes. I've been trying to find a dealer that would talk to me but the only Isuzu service person in town has been on vacation. Fuel injection is MFI, 6 injectors that all hit at the same time or so I'm told. Also, is there a good online place where I learn more about this car? Not only can I not find the leads that would let me read out the code, but the color codes on the wiring harness does not seem to match. My manual seems to be lacking.

[Huffy76]

Sorry, I can't help you but I just purchased the same vehicle (94 4x4 with 95k) and is there any major problems I should expect while going through the miles. I posted the "4x4 not engaging" post. Thanks for any info. Aaron

[Cat Fuzz]

I found my code reader leads under the carpet on the drivers side. The oil in the spark plug well is leaking O-rings under the valve covers. A new set of valve cover gaskets will have new a new o-ring set.

As far as using too much fuel, my 94 Rodeo only gets about 15mpg highway. Sounds pathetic to me, but I'm told thats about right for a rig with all the extra 4x4 gear underneath it.

As far as your fueling prob goes, the only thing I can think of is dirty fuel injectors that can't close all they way like they should. I'm no expert on fuel injection, but I don't think they are supposed to be activated all the time. They open and close at set times. Thats why you can hear them clicking while the engine is running.

[Jim Donoho]

Thanks for the reply. Could you describe the code reading leads. I've dug 2 plugs from under the rug and found 2 other when I took the plastic panel. The book pictures a flat plug board with 3 connections. All I'm finding is normal plastic female 1 and 2 wire plugs simular to what is pictured for the 2.6 and 3.1 engins and older models.

[Cat Fuzz]

I can't remember exactly what it looks like. I can get you a digi-cam pic tomorrow afternoon.

[Jim Donoho]

The one and only person at the dealership is suppose to be back from vacation tomorrow. I'm going to take a late lunch and go see if he will talk to me. He should be able to tell me which wires to use and maybe have a few ideas about why it is flooding. Thanks for the offer. I've been considering the fuel injectors but I don't understand them all going bad at the same time. On the other hand, you pull a plug and this doesn't even know that it is missing. I can not hear a miss so, maybe 2 bad fuel injectors are not very noticeable. Thanks again.

[2eyefishclaw]

most likley to be causing concern would be leaking injectors flooding cylinders
try this to start it press accelerator to the floor this will prevent injectors from spraying fuel while cranking do not pup the pedal just hold it too the floor and crank for a while it should start
leaking injectors cause black smoke on start up and poor economy
as far as oil in plug towers valve covers need to come off to fix that one tower seals need replacing
let us know if you get it started

[Jim Donoho]

thanks, I will try that this weekend. What surprizes me is that I pulled 4 plugs, the easy ones, and they were all wet. I expected a injector to go bad one at a time. On the other hand, with a 130,000 miles on it, it is good time to clean them up and test test them if I can. I've been reading everythng I can find about them on the I-net tonight. Thanks again for the help. Jim

[ibew595]

I have the Haynes techbook which will decipher the codes. The connector can be either in the kick panel or under the steering wheel. My 94 V6 4X had it under the steering wheel.
After you jumper it, there will be a series of flashes which will repeat continiously.
It will start off with a 12 code, 3 code then any stored codes then finish with a 3 code.
The connector you are looking for will just be hanging down somewhere. It is not a box or anything like that. Just jumper the wires and turn ignition to on. I check this board occasionally. Email me for code decipher . [email protected]
The haynes repair manual hints at all the points mentioned so far.

[Jim Donoho]

Thanks for the offer. I have the Haynes manual. That is what I'm going by. They describe the 1994 v6 3.2 as having the wires behind the drivers side kick board. Other's have them in the console and behind the dash. I removed both plastic pieces that make up the center console. I found 4 wires, 2 came from under the rug and and 2 were behind the plastic kick panel. Haynes shows it as being 3 contacts on a little flat panel. Everything that I found was the normal plug thay you expect to see if there are options not installed at the factory. We took one cover off to the left of the steering wheel. Since you found yours close to the steering wheel, I will take the other plastic covers off and see if I can find somethig that is taped up inside the console. Apparently the 3.2 engin is different then the 3.1 and the 2.6. I don't know why they could not cable them all out the same way but they didn't. What I think I'm going to find is that that the o2 sensor is failing and that most likely is because of all of the black crud I'm blowing out the exhaust. I get check engin about 10 minutes after it starts smoking. The other thing that makes it a mystery is, when it was running, sometimes it would run perfect. Compared to my little Ranger, it has all kinds of get up and go. Then all at once it would start stumbeling and a bit later the smoke would show up. Thanks again. I Hope it is there. Jim

[paulsantangelo]

Hi there:

Just wanted to point a few things out!

Firstly, The 3.2 engine is isuzu's while the 3.1 is a GMC engine, VERY different. The other thing I wanted to point out that when looking under the kick panel there are two sets of single wires, one set might be disconnected, I think this has something to do with the code reader however on my 92, the connector is located under the dash on the passenger side. The other set of single wires which are used for devactivating the ignition timing, DO nOT disconnect this wire, the engine check light should come on when this wire is disconnected.

Hope this helps!

[Jim Donoho]

Thanks for your update. All told I found 4 sets of wires. 2 buried under the rug and 2 hanging next to the ten box. I think the box is the ECU but I'm not sure. There is another box right above it. I took the plastic off from around the radio last weekend and the panel next to the steering wheel. I had a buddy that wanted to try shorting them but, I do not want to burn out the ECU. So far, I've found 4 wires but I can not confirm for sure which to use. None of them match what Haynes say's they should look like. I think, your comment about the 3.2 being a Isuzu engine may explain why this does not match the book. I think I've lost the codes. I disconnected the batery and later remembered that the ECU drops the codes with no power. I tried cranking it with the gas wide open and the plugs were dry. I was never able to start it though. It was a cold weekend and I did not do much with it. Thanks for you ideas. Jim

[paulsantangelo]

Hi there: My brother thinks that the two wires that are unconnected near the ECU (yes thats it hanging behind the kick panel), are power for the code reader. It is not ID'd in the Hanyes book. I'm kind of upset about that also. If you want to spend the 100.00 dollars for the helm book go to www.helminc.com, This is what the dealer uses.

About the wires under the rug, sorry I'm not too clear on that but what are the colors, these are important!

[paulsantangelo]

I also want to point out an excellent site fro trouble shooting these typs of problems.

Visit www.2carpros.com select search by subject and you will see solutions to all kinds of issues!

[Jim Donoho]

Thanks for the links. I joined 2carspros and I will probably get a wiring diagram for my Ranger from helminc. The shop manual I saw cost $45. which makes me wonder if I'm looking at the right thing, considering that one for my Ranger Ranger cost $170.00. Maybe Ford just gets a lot more thiers then Isuzu. A fuel regulator cost me $72 and did not fix it. I can not afford to keep easter-egging so I'm thinking real serous about the manual. Its late tonight but I will get a better description of the wires tomorrow night. If I could have matched the color code at the connector to the color code at the ECU I would have have felt better about trying them. If I blow the ECU it will probably cost more to replace that then what I'm going to get for the car when I sell it. I've called the one and only trained service person in Raleigh 5 or 6 times but I've never been able to talk to him. They don't refuse, they just say he is too busy.