93 Rodeo won't start

[93 Rodeo]

I have been working on my son's (formerly my) 93 Rodeo. This has been a dependable ride for years. The issues started about a month ago. Started with stalling, then running rough, loss of power, now not starting. It will crank and crank, but wont start, not even with a blast of starting fluid. When the problems started, I replaced the air flow sensor, with no help, new plugs, air filter, cleaned TBI, checked grounds, new fuel filter. Before it quit starting, the rough running and stalling was sporadic, seemed to be more often in the mornings, but not always the rule. After debating these issues with others, I was leaning on maybe the alternator going out, had it checked at Autozone, but it and battery checked out ok, but the vehicle was running ok at the time, my son said he had not noticed any spiking or such on the dash guage when it ran rough. After discussing the issues with him, a friend of his told him to start it up and unhook the battery and see if it continued to run, when he did this (I was at work) he said it ran for less than a minute, died, and now it will not start at all.....any thoughts?

[Bonzmobile]

A few questions for you. I am having similar issues with mine.

Do you have a spark at all 6 cylinders?
Does your check engine light come on, your fuel pump cycle and your heater fan work with the ignition switched on?

[93 Rodeo]

Originally Posted by Bonzmobile

A few questions for you. I am having similar issues with mine.

Do you have a spark at all 6 cylinders?
Does your check engine light come on, your fuel pump cycle and your heater fan work with the ignition switched on?

I haven't checked those issues, was thinking of the fuel pump, but I tried starting fluid, without help. I will look at those this pm. The check engine light did come on, and my son took it to his uncles shop (avoiding me, as he has not been real nice to the Rodeo in the past) and they cleared the CEL code. They just wanted to start throwing parts at it to see if they hit the right combo.

[Bonzmobile]

Sounds like you are not getting a spark for whatever reason. Starting fluid should have done something with a spark.

Was wondering if the CEL came on along with the other idiot lights with the engine off when you turned the key to the ignition position.

[Ramblin Fever]

My .02cents - sounds so much like an alternator issue to me.

Autozone, Sears, Pepboys, etc are notorious for checking these alternators and saying they're fine, when in fact they are not putting out under load. These Isuzu's are very voltage happy, one weak spot somewhere in the system and they'll cause a headache from he$$

FWIW, if you do find it's the alternator do NOT go with a general remanufactored alternator - these trucks will eat em in nothing flat.

You need a good OEM Isuzu or BOSCH alternator.

Keep us posted!

[93 Rodeo]

I have been leaning that way with the alternator. THe boy did have an Amp hooked up to the thing, and eventually blew the amp up, along with his speakers. I have found a equilivant vehicle in a bone yard may try picking some pieces off it.

[93 Rodeo]

swapped out the alternator and no change. I also noticed the heater fan/AC will not come on with the ignition switch to on. I pulled the Heater fuse, the Rodeo started and ran for 15 min or so and it was like someone shut off the key while driving down the road. Towed it home, and would not start again, pulled the fulse to the stereo, and it started again, ran 15 min or so, and died, wouldn't start again, checked all the grounds, charged battery, and started ran real rough, idle irradic, then dies, now won't start again.......???????????

93 Rodeo 3.2L, 5 speed, 168,XXX miles

[Bonzmobile]

We seem to have possessed Rodeos! Did you pull your #8 fuse? I think I have traced my problem to a short branch of the harness that leads to the tranny. Mine has been having VERY similar issues. Check out my thread/saga again, "93 Rodeo 3.2 Won't Start."

[flrydr]

Hey guys this makes three of us with possessed Rodeo/passports my 94 4 banger is having the same problems, I swapped out coil, relays, map sensor, plugs, checked fuel pressure, still the same, the heater fan does not come on with the key on also...mmmm weird I am going under to see if there are any wires shorting to groung near the tranny. keep us posted if you find anything...

[Bonzmobile]

flrydr,
There is a harness plug/connector behind the D.S. headlight for that branch. But my truck is a 3.2...

I pulled it apart and stopped the "electrical bleeding."

[flrydr]

Bonz,
I came home & tried to start it and of course it did, i let it run for aroung 15 mins before I touched anything, then I got brave and revved the engine to around 2k rpm and it sustained idle, then I tried to rev again and it bogged and died out, didnt start again but I pulled a plug wire put one of the old plugs in the wire and tried to fire it and you could barely see a spark if it had any at all. mmmm tell me what could cause a weak spark like that? Now I will see if my 2.6 has that same harness.

thanks

[flrydr]

Hey guys I think i have narrowed the not starting down to the distributor, I havent been getting a spark all other components seem to be fine. I was wondering if the Distributor can be tested/serviced while its out of the car?

[Bonzmobile]

Hey '93,
Any update on your electrical problem? Sure sounds like you have a short or a blown fuse somewhere. Do you have a manual with a wiring diagram?
Let us know...

[flrydr]

93 Rodeo,

I finally found my problem with my 2.6 it was the distributor. I found one at the yard, popped it in and the dang thing fired right up like it never had an issue. Now I just need to dial it in since I tried adjusting just about everything before while trying to figure out the problem. now it running a little rough when comming to a stop seems like the idle is real low but it comes back up after sitting there a second or so, just glad it runs now I can get my wife out of my car =)

flrydr

[93 Rodeo]

I still have not been able to track down the problem. After more conversation and thought, the boy had done alot of "creative" wiring for the stereo, and had been blowing fuses. No bad fuses, relays blown bulbs, etc. i think the surges and such on the electricial system may have fried the computer, hooked it up to a scanner before it quit running, and the somputer was giving erratic and inconsistant codes. found one for 50 bucks at a salvage yard, may try swapping the computer and see if it makes a differance.