Just bought a 4dr Sidekick and have some Qs

[MrValentine]

I just bought a 1994 4 door Sidekick 16v 4x4 maunal trans. I got it pretty cheap!! So i'm fairly happy and ready to get her in tip top shape!!!

The interior is in great shape (hard to find here in TX!!!), and the body only has a rough spot on the passenger door and front fender (looks like it brushed up against a tree)

It does run (constant check engine light on though), but the last owner told me it smokes pretty bad. ( I found 2 empty bottles of smoke stop in the back). I have only driven it about 4 miles and it never smoked. I pulled the plugs and they are all very clean (so I dont think it burns oil) Tommrow i'll change the oil to get the smoke stop out.

I checked the radiator for oil (it was clean) Although I did find it had NO thermostat (I put one in today). The temp gauge is way way off. At cold start up it is .35" past the C and when warmed up it almost touches H. (this is why I didnt drive it far) I'll be carring my digital thermometer with me just incase though.

When it first starts there is quick clatter (i think the clutch?) and when I have it in Neutral and let off the clutch it has growl that bothers me. (any thoughts? pilot bearing maybe?)

How hard is it to change the oil pan gasket? oil is all over the lower part of the engine and all over trans and T-case.

And where is the ALDL connector? Am I just a blind idiot? I cant find it!! Anyone know what pins to short on it to get the blink codes and a list of them?

So where would you guys start? And is there anything else I should be looking for? Thanks for any help and sorry for the long winded post!!

Val

[MrValentine]

Never mind on the ALDL I found it. Apparently I am blind.

I just found JTGH's site. AWSOME!!! thanks for having that up for us suzuki newbies.

[raygu3]

congrats on your purchase & welcome to forum
check engine light if its set off by maintenance reminder the switch is behind drivers side speaker upper right corner facing motor id check codes to make sure.

sounds like you need new radiator had same problem with my geo tracker (suzuki motor) new radiator its keeping cool now

without hearing it myself id say your probably right, on the throwout bearing/clutch

yes jtgh's sight is the best place to look for just about any issue you may experience with these vehicles

i just replaced 3&4 gear hub in tranny thanks to jtgh it wasnt as difficult as i thought it would be.

we are a 2 geo tracker family for over 10 years now
both 1992
wifes 2wd 5spd got over 200,000
my 4wd 5spd got almost 180,000
both still get good MPG 26 & up city driving.

[MrValentine]

You are right on the switch!!! I pulled the switch and reset (disconect neg batt terminal) and the check engine light is off, even after driving it for 10-15 min!!!

I'll need a new radiator. Its leaking in 2-3 spots and its not the correct radiator, it has the fittings for the auto tranny, and the bottom is held on with zip ties!! The temp gauge is almost in the middle even when cold, so i'll also be looking for a good place to mount a gauge. Also, since my sidekick is AC equiped is it suppost to have a electric fan in front of the condenser? (it dosent, but I may put one in)

I drove it some more and the clutch definatly hates life, its getting changed for sure next month (this is a toy and not a daily driver).

1st clutch kit, and new fluids in the tranny and T case.
2nd Oil pan leak!!! (its ugly, and anything leaking bugs the hell out of me)
3rd Timming belt, water pump and valve lash adj
4th look at passenger side knuckle (boot on the shaft is destroyed and grease everywhere) I may consider a solid axle swap for the front if to much is bad.

I'm going to limit myself to only $200 a month, so it may take me a bit to fix up. (I have lost my will power in the past and pulled out the credit card).

[raygu3]

mine & the wifes both have radiators from automatics the holes for tranny is plugged & work fine both for ov er 2 years now. if you start out at half way on gauge id look at sensor or gauge 1st(id go gauge 1st check boneyards for whole inst. panel).

i just did wifes clutch, got kit for just under $110 to my door
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next up is her oilpan gasket yeah i dont like oil stains either. who does? theyre ugly & oil is getting expensive.

mine is work vehicle second is olds alero

wifes is her only vehicle so we keep it up.
mine if i limited myself to $200 a month id be waiting almost 4 months from now. just did exhaust cat & muffler $600 plus tranny (another $100) last 2 weeks (waiting for part from suzuki i paid for overnight shipping it took a week, good thing i got 2nd car).
been shopping for another tracker/sidekick since i stumbled across jtgh's site & these forums. im no mechanic but begining to feel i can fix everything on this since being inside tranny. alot of people say they arent safe to drive but i think they must drive like some of the idiots i come across on road. ive had several accidents in mine (only one was my fault) & it still going strong.