Welp, unexpectedly after debating on purchasing a side by side for the farm I purchased a 98 Sidekick off a family member. It seems to be a pretty solid rig that he's done quite a bit of work to on the outside. I've done a bit of reading up on sidekicks in the past week or so and am learning. It has the 16v.
I have a couple questions.
1. Any suggestions on some field lights that I could mount on the top rack or the front bumper?
2. It runs fine but has 190k on it but I see a rebuild in the future (burns quite a bit of oil). What are some reputable rebuilders? I had found zuki engines "performance model" which promises quite a boost from the stock motor but it's a little steep at around 3,500. Any idea if there are "performance" rebuild kits put together that use the same parts as they do? The only rebuilds i've done were with dad on a old scout 152 motor and the farm truck ( an old 70's chevy) so I suppose it's a project I would possibly feel free to tackle.
3. Haven't looked into this too much and I realize it could be many things but the a/c doesn't work. Generally when it comes to a/c problems, do these see the compressor shoot out often, or more of a leak issue normally?
Oh, and although there are no real problems with the sidekick, I read how people mention to turn the car on aux and look for a CEL. I don't see it. I also checked the fuse (same as dome they say) and its good. My dome light doesn't work. Does that test differ on the 98 model? How else could they kill the CEL?
As for rebuild, every now.and then you.can score.very low mileage motors on eBay for 1k or so. I'd still pull the oil pan and look for.sludge and do a timing belt before install though... as well as a waterpump, PCv valve, and thermostat as they are all together less than 100$.
Check your AC clutch, every one I've seen down here in the hell temps is worn and wobbly if over 150k miles.
About 400 from Suzuki... about 440$ aftermarket. Ill be doing mine fairly soon.
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1995 4DR Sidekick 16v w/4spd Auto J-Vin 187k
4.5in Low Range Offroad combo Lift
Calmini Front Brace
Sway bar delete
33x12.5x15 Duratracs
2.25 Piping with magnaflow exhaust and cat
Monstalined interior
Bumpers, lights, Armadillo Bedlined top, navigation...stuff.
CEL should go on with key on and off once the car starts - an ECU self check. However, on the 98, you will need a scanner/code reader in order to pull any codes. A good investment if you plan to keep the car. As Goat says, I would check first to see if the CEL bulb is working properly (or even there)
Replaced the dome bulb and it doesn't work, but the fuse is good.
Another question, I notice that when it's dark outside my gauge cluster is very dim on the right side of the speedometer. Is that near where the CEL light is? Also, I tried to quick search but wasn't able to find anything on removal of the gauge cluster. Are there any step by steps out there?
So I hooked up the OBD II and pulled the following: (Anything seem major?)
P0135 - O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0400 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow
P0740 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit / Open
o2 sensor is dead, or the wiring to it is faulty. If you find the wiring is ok, then you need to replace the o2 sensor.
EGR system most probably needs to be cleaned - you can pull the EGR off and clean it with carb cleaner, as well as ream out the intake and exhaust ports you see with the EGR off the car. Does the car pass the stall test (with car running, push the EGR diaphragm forward carefully - the car should try to stall).
o2 heater bad, make 02 dead most the time. (might work at cruse, if it hits 600f by exh only)
egr is bad. (see my sig, and search egr)
tcc is bad. (see my sig, and search, TCC)
this is like the standard, my CEL lamps is out list. classic.
the dome lamp needs,5 things.
fuse good
lamp good
wires good
and the ground to the door switch good
and at least one door switch working and grounding the dome wire to activate the lamp.
IP cluster.? (the steering column must be tilted down)
page 8c6 covers that. Ack's FAQ Tracker Factory Service Manual Instrument Panel, Gages and Console
most everything else.
dont forget to defeat the air bags (SIR) or chance eating one? . they can kill if they deploy and you are too close. (they hold a charge too, long after a battery pull !).
o2 heater bad, make 02 dead most the time. (might work at cruse, if it hits 600f by exh only)
egr is bad. (see my sig, and search egr)
tcc is bad. (see my sig, and search, TCC)
this is like the standard, my CEL lamps is out list. classic.
the dome lamp needs,5 things.
fuse good
lamp good
wires good
and the ground to the door switch good
and at least one door switch working and grounding the dome wire to activate the lamp.
IP cluster.? (the steering column must be tilted down)
page 8c6 covers that. Ack's FAQ Tracker Factory Service Manual Instrument Panel, Gages and Console
most everything else.
dont forget to defeat the air bags (SIR) or chance eating one? . they can kill if they deploy and you are too close. (they hold a charge too, long after a battery pull !).
You know, before I ran the codes I didn't notice any real problem with the sidekick. I am going to get these things replaced as soon as I can find the time but however is it critical I get that TCC replaced soon? I noticed the tranny would stutter every once in a while and maybe it acted like it didn't know when to downshift sometimes, etc but nothing ever really stood out (but then again i'm a rook when it comes to auto repair).
One more question. I'm learning with the whole auto repair work and did a quick search on eBay for "TCC Sidekick" to get an idea what part or parts I might be needing for the repair but nothing came up. Is there something else I should be searching for? Dad however will be able to help me out with the repair I am just trying to get all the ducks in a row for when that time comes. i'm such a rookie
Oh, and when reading the TCC failure link I noticed it said "It goes with out saying, if the transmission ground strap is missing (near tail shaft ) , the TCC will fail. (now or soon) Put it back now."
Is there a picture of this anywhere? I want to make sure I have that.
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Just joined club Sidekick, opinions needed.
i'm such a rookie
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