Running Problems
1999 Isuzu Rodeo Runs Bad And Engine Surges
By Austin Davis
Sep 25, 2008, 21:01

Reader Question
Thank you again for your site, it has a lot of helpful information and resources! I tried to look for a problem similar to my car's problem in the archives, but was unable to find one.

I have a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo (used) that has 100,000 mi and has been having the same problems for 3 years now. The car will shake or shutter violently at stoplights or stop signs and idles really high.

It seems to want to shut off, but never has. Also, it will "lurch" forward when I apply my brakes and am coming to a stop. Whenever this occurs, I will pull over and shut the car off. Then, it's hard to restart and the check engine light comes on.

After driving around and multiple start ups, the check engine light will go off. I have taken my car into the dealer and other mechanics, but the problem has never been completely solved.

Like Murphy's Law, the dealer/mechanic can never recreate the shuttering and the check engine light goes off whenever I take it in. They have tried the following: flushing out the EGR valve, cleaning throttle body.

I have taken it to one place and they are confident that it is the EGR valve staying open too long; a month later I'll take it to the dealer and they say it can't be the EGR because the codes aren't showing up in the computer.

It will also "surge" at start up, where the car seems to rev up and down without my foot on the gas.

Thank you so much for any advice or suggestions!
Nikki



What's up Nikki

I think you stumped me on this one, and this has been going on for 3 years??? Wow! I can only suggest you find a mechanic who will start checking the basics like:

checking fuel pressure at the engine

check compression

check for a vacuum leak under the hood

check for spark at the spark plugs and test spark plug wires for wear

and hook up a scanner to your computer so they can drive the vehicle out of the shop and see what your computer sees is going during this problem time.

These intermittent problems can be a real pain to track down, but 90% of the time it is caused by something fairly simple....like a vacuum leak from a broken rubber vacuum hose under the hood or an intake manifold leak.

And these simple problem can often be overlooked because the mechanic is too focused on another item...like an EGR valve and is blindsided by the obvious.

Blessings,
Austin Davis

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