Yeah, I know, I'm a professional Computer Tech.
At least my car can't go on-line and wind up being infected by some @*$# malware.
But where the biggest difference is, would be in the cost to replace. EEC's are already several times more expensive than a home computer.

Microsoft is in bed with at least one auto maker, to provide software for their new cars. (or so I've heard)

I don't know if you've seen Windows 8 yet, but it will work with a Touchscreen and would be just the thing for a car. I'm not advocating it, but I do believe it's coming. Checking your email in your car?

 

Email !!

Why yes, I can check my email in the car... with my BlackBerry! I think that Ford has some sort of sync with phones and laptops ??

 

My 2009 SX4 x-over 5 speed manual developed the starting problem over a month ago. There's one month left on the warranty and I'm getting the runaround. The problem is intermittent- turn the key to ON, nothing, no click, just a really faint "hissing" sound. Called roadside assistance, battery replaced, but problem resurfaced. Sometimes it starts fine, but when it fails, I have to hold the key in the ON position for at least 20 seconds before it starts. Dealer says he can't duplicate the problem but he "made a note of it." Wondering should I just try to trade it in on another vehicle (NOT SUZUKI!) and pray the problem doesn't happen when they test it as a trade-in? Is arbitration worth it? How does arbitration work?

 

My 2009 SX4 x-over 5 speed manual developed the starting problem over a month ago. There's one month left on the warranty and I'm getting the runaround. The problem is intermittent- turn the key to ON, nothing, no click, just a really faint "hissing" sound. Called roadside assistance, battery replaced, but problem resurfaced. Sometimes it starts fine, but when it fails, I have to hold the key in the ON position for at least 20 seconds before it starts.

You haven't got "the starting problem" described by others where the engine turns over like normal but doesn't start. Your problem sounds more like an intermittent poor contact in the ignition switch.

 

Also having problems starting

I have a 2007 SX4, and I've noticed increasingly, the longer I own it, more ignition problems. I replaced the batteries in the remote,very recently, which helped for awhile, but now I'm back to the Red alert on my dash, no key, beeps , and difficult starting . I usually hold the remote close to the key slot to get the engine to start. Also harder "door open requests," they take longer.

 

I guess I could report the opposite of a starting problem....well, sort of.

After three years of bumping around "Off Road" my battery finally developed a shorted cell. That can happen even to the biggest and best batteries. The static voltage on the battery was down to 10.4 volts, BUT, it still started the car, all-be-it a bit slowly.

When I first got my car (new) it was not charging the battery. During the troubleshooting process, the mechanics put in a NEW battery. When they found the loose connection that was causing the problem they just left the new battery in place. I've always thought that they put in a bigger battery than was called for by Suzuki.
Not So....Here's that battery:

It's a monster, suitable for starting a Diesel Truck, with 1000 amps cranking power!

But it's exactly the battery that Interstate recommends for the 2009 SX4.
So I've got the replacement from Interstate for a pro-rated amount and I'll be putting it in my SX4 sometime soon.

Right now, I've got a battery in my car with Half the rating of the Interstate, but it's starting my car just fine.

So that's my own little starting story.

Cheers Mates!
Shadow

 

Interstate batteries are awesome batteries. I use them as well over anything else.

 

Of course, I don't remember every battery I've ever had, but I just don't remember ever having a battery with 1000 cranking amps and 800 CCA.

And to have such a battery as standard on such a little car is just wild beyond description.

A friend said that it might be due to all the Electronics on these cars. Maybe!

But for three years, I've been real happy with the battery.
I live OFF ROAD, so for one cell to finally break down and short out, I just consider "Fair Wear & Tear". A lesser battery may have given up the ghost much sooner.

On the other forum (SX4Club) there was a thread about battery failure. Some guys were seeing their OEM batteries failing in far less time than three years.
I only saw my OEM battery once, three years ago, so I don't remember what it was. Anyone have any input on that?

One thing I really liked about this Interstate Battery, is that it's a FULL Maintenance Battery. I can pop the tops and check the fluid level at regular intervals and make sure it never runs dry. On a Maintenance Free battery, you can't do that and if the cells get low on fluid, which they will do in hot climates, all you can do is replace the battery. That can get darned expensive, during the life of a car.

And in that same forum, I was surprised at how much ignorance and argument there was about what battery is right for the SX4. Cheeech!
It's as pointless as arguing about what day comes after Monday. Eh?

All they had to do was go to any battery manufacturers web site, like Interstate and put in the year, make and model of their car and see what's recommended. I did!

Y'all have a great Memorial Day now, Y'hear?

The Shadow

 

Of course, I don't remember every battery I've ever had, but I just don't remember ever having a battery with 1000 cranking amps and 800 CCA.

And to have such a battery as standard on such a little car is just wild beyond description.

A friend said that it might be due to all the Electronics on these cars. Maybe!

The Australian/NZ models come standard with smaller batteries around 360 CCA. Maybe US cars have to deal with colder winters and shorter trips on average.

 

starting

This is strange?? I'm sure the key is "chipped" so having the remote close by should not affect starting? do you have a factory alarm system?

 

I just can't imagine anyone, too lazy to just put the key in the ignition to start their car. Too much electronics causes too many problems.

Just one EM pulse and most of our cars will be nothing but useless hunks of metal and plastic anyway.

 

The battery I have in my SX4 right now, temporarily, is only 450cca and more than capable of starting my car. It's only about 3/4 of the size of the Interstate I'll be putting in shortly.

Trips? I don't see how those would vary that much between the US and Au.

But it does seem that there are many differences between our cars and yours.

I've never quite understood that.

 

Trips? I don't see how those would vary that much between the US and Au.

But it does seem that there are many differences between our cars and yours.

I've never quite understood that.

I was referring to the old joke that a cowboy would ride his horse from one side of the street to the other. If that attitude isn't common now then my mistake.

I do not think that there are that many differences, electric power steering, some differences in the lights and wiring and the ride height. I believe the ground clearance came about because the Australian market had a tax break for imported 4 wheel drive vehicles with a minimum of 200mm clearance.

 

Yes, it seems that most of the differences between the US and OZ are due to Government regulations, etc.

Me thinks our regulations are much more stringent here. We must have ESP on our cars, seat belts, shatter proof glass, certain other safety equipment and we can't tow.

It's funny though, I saw a Smart Car the other day with a trailer hitch on it.
That was almost comical. Of course, I have a trailer hitch on my SX4 too, despite the Suzuki regulation against it. The car is more than capable of pulling a trailer, so I don't understand the regulation. I've even pulled a double axle car hauler with mine. As long as you have trailer brakes, pulling a trailer is a piece of cake. It's not the pulling that's the problem, it's the stopping.
The brakes on the SX4 are just not able to stop a heavy load, in a safe distance. I had about 400# in the back of my car one day, and the stopping distance almost doubled.

I'm sorry, we've drifted off topic.

 

I bought a 2012 sx4 crossover 5/19/2012 have had it in the shop 3x's for not starting. They have still not been able to resolve my issue. they claim it needs reflashed but say they dont have the software so in the meantime they have been replacing things that are not broken like cam sensor and crank sensor. Other than that I am told I have roadside assistance and they will call when they have more answers...completely unexceptable I filed for arbitration and my date is set for July 10th. Has anyone else gone thru arbitration with suzuki what was the outcome and any advise?

 

I bought a 2012 sx4 crossover 5/19/2012 have had it in the shop 3x's for not starting. They have still not been able to resolve my issue. they claim it needs reflashed but say they dont have the software so in the meantime they have been replacing things that are not broken like cam sensor and crank sensor.

Why would a 2012 need reflashing? That was a supposed answer to an earlier model with a different engine. If that software change was relevant it would have been included at the factory.

Earlier I posted "Once mine doesn't start after a few turns it doesn't matter how long it cranks, the car won't start until the key is turned completely off then it starts OK next try. I think it is immobiliser related not fuel. "

That still happens occasionally. The usual case is Ign on so passenger window can be dropped. If I don't start the engine while farewells drag on, chances are it will crank but not start.

 

I agree with Paul. I think its the immobilizer or at least something along those lines. I have a 09 sport with no alarm or keyless start thingy and haven't had any of these issues yet. All I have is the key fob that I can unlock/lock the doors with.

 

The Key could be failing



If it is the security system, have you tried using a different ignition key? The chip in the key is part of the system too. If it is damaged, say by dropping or vibration or by electronic fields in a factory, that could make the car difficult to start.

 

I think the key does its handshake thing and everything is OK then if you don't start within a certain time it resets. A bit like remote unlock will relock if you don't open the door.

The 2010 owner's manual has the following

" If you leave any of the doors open with the ignition switch in the “ACC” position for awhile (and no key inserted), the engine may not start when you turn the ignition switch to “START”. If the engine does not start, close all doors completely or turn the ignition switch back to the “LOCK” position, then start the engine."

Just try starting from scratch rather than cranking for a long period.

 

My friend has a lexus and when I go from auto to manual it throws it to the highest gear.

My brother has a 2012 dodge 1500 work style truck and has trouble starting as well. Dealer says they can't do anything since it doesn't do it when he brings it in. Looks like its just not Suzuki. He only has door unlock/lock key fob. No fancy stuff like alarm or anything.

 

Mine doesn't have the alarms and all that either, but what is he doing about it? I can't believe anyone would spend thousands of dollars on a brand new car and accept the fact that it isn't functioning as it should.

 

My brother is just waiting for it to happen more often and writing down the noises and or lights that do and do not come on when it happens for documentation. Its annoying he says. We used to own nissan cars so we are used to junk not working right and recalls every few months that didn't help. On our nissans we had a hard starting issue. You would have to turn the key on and wait three seconds and then start it. My brother had his in the shop a few times for this. The dealers said it was the fuel pump so it was replaced. After a few weeks it started again. We never did get it fixed. But it wasn't just ours. It was all that particular vehicle. Mafs, crank sensor, tps sensor, fuel pump was all replaced on his car looking to fix the no starting issue. Oh well.

 

Problems with Suzuki Celerio

My daughter just bought a Suzuki Celerio more a month ago. While driving the car completely just shuts down and steering wheel locks by time. We have the car tested twice now but they cannot seem to pick up any problems? Anyone know what might trigger this? It happened to her three times already.

 

Hi, my suzuki is giving me sometimes problem to start. Sometimes in the mourning the car starts fine, but then doesnt want to start after being parked all day. Sometimes it starts by moving the battery position, sometimes it starts when throwing hard the lid. I have changed terminalS, battery, cleaned the ground. What am I missing?

 

Start with the details of the vehicle and the define the problem - is it that it doesn't crank or does it crank but not start? We're not there, we can't see what is happening, you have to tell us.

 

Sx4 2012, when the problem starts it does not crank at all. I move the battery or slam the lid and sometimes it fixes. When it does, i have to press pedal to help it ignite. After it starts, i can turn it off and turn it on again without problems. But if it sits too long, problem starts again. I have switched the positive terminal, i’ve cleaned the battery and earth connections. Checked the fuses. The funny thing js that most of the time if I slam hard the lid, it starts working, had me
Thinking that it had to be related to the earth (ground) conection since is the only thing the lid hits when slammed. Or some faulty cable! What am I missing?

 

When it doesn’t start, do your headlights or radio or anything else electric work? If so, then it would appear they are getting battery voltage so your ground should be ok. What about the connection between the positive terminal and the starter?? Have you checked that?