Vitara Runs rough intermittently

AusVitara97 · 02-02-2008, 09:15 PM

Hi all -I am looking for some ideas/suggestions:

I have a 2 litre 4 cylinder 1997 Vitara (I think its a "Sidekick" in the US)

About every third time I drive it, it will begin to run rough after only 2 minutes of driving. The problem has not occurred when the car has been completely warmed up. It sounds and feels like only 2 or 3 cylinders are running (chugging sound).

If I stop driving and leave the car for a while (like 30 mins - 1 hr) it starts again fine and I'm good to go (unless it decides to run rough in another 2 minutes). Besides this occasional problem after starting - it goes fine.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated!

jtgh · 02-02-2008, 11:20 PM

i bet your Check engine lamp is glowing,
misfires will set codes.

pull codes
pump in new plugs (sparkies)

AusVitara97 · 02-03-2008, 07:10 AM

Thank you for your reply

Spark plugs were replaced last service.

I am pretty sure the "check engine" light did not show whenever this problem occurred - I'll keep an eye on it next time it happens.

Also, will need to find somewhere here that can check those codes. Will post the codes when I get them.