My check engine light has been coming

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 ISUZU RODEO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 94,782 MILES
My check engine light has been coming on-will stay on for a day or two or three at the most and then go off for a while. This started in December, happened once-happened again in February. This month it has been on more than off so I finally went to have the codes checked. The Tech pulled code: P0 0401 EGR Flow insufficient Further diagnostics are needed. (OUCH!) Any suggestions before I open Pandora's box and my bank account? Where should I start? Like many people, I am paycheck to paycheck and will need to budget for any major expenses. I am not mechanically inclined, but do know several people who are. I have a couple of road trips planned soon, 700-1000 miles each. Other than fuel economy am I going to hurt anything by not having this fixed right away?
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 7:53 AM

42 Replies

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
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Start by checking the EGR could be all clogged-up with carbon and inspect its passages or might not be coming on when needed.

But to be sure here is a guide to help us fix the problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 7:55 AM
Tiny
CATSRME
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 ISUZU RODEO
  • 4.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 255,000 MILES
I can be driving and it acts like it cannot get fuel and slows down then all of a sudden it kicks and goes. When the check engine light is on it runs great, when the check engine light goes out it runs real bad.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Get it scanned for the codes that are turning the light on. That will point you toward a possible solution. It could be almost anything from a short in a sensor that makes the ECM use stored data that makes it run better to a failing fuel pump module or pressure sensor. But getting the code(s) is where to start.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing
I would start by reading the codes and post the exact code number not code descriptions. I posted our guide on how to do it or a auto parts store will read them for free. But it is good to have to your code reader that can read some live data.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIMMYRAY34
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 ISUZU RODEO
Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Isuzu Rodeo Question 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

JUST STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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HI there,

The first thing to do is get the code extracted and address that issue first, it may be a very simple problem like a faulty plug or lead, but have the scan done first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HUNT5683
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 ISUZU RODEO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 94,782 MILES
My check engine light has been coming on-will stay on for a day or two or three at the most and then go off for a while. This started in December, happened once-happened again in February. This month it has been on more than off so I finally went to have the codes checked. The Tech pulled code:

P0 0401
EGR Flow insufficient

Further diagnositcs are needed. (OUCH!)

Any suggestions before I open pandora's box and my bank account? Where should I start? Like many people, I am paycheck to paycheck and will need to budget for any major expenses. I am not mechanically inclined, but do know several people who are.

I have a couple of road trips planned soon, 700-1000 miles each. Other than fuel economy am I going to hurt anything by not having this fixed right away?
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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  • 75,992 POSTS
Start by checking the EGR could be all clogged-up with carbon and inspect its passages or might not be coming On when needed.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IAFANCYPANTSY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 ISUZU RODEO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 171,000 MILES
My check engine light came on. Oxygen sensor and AB something valve replaced. Check engine light came on again. A 2nd oxygen sensor was replaced. Now, the CEL just came on again. After $400 of repairs, Help! Please.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

You will have to get the code identified to see where the problem is located.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KYMAC
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  • 1 POST
Can I use the key, on/off, trick to make engine light flash?
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KIBIBE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 ISUZU RODEO
Engine Performance problem
1998 Isuzu Rodeo Question 6 cyl Manual 80603 miles

Bought 1998 Isuzu Rodeo from used car dealer (in NY) at 77,900 miles for $4,300. Did oil change within a week after getting the car. During the course of owning the car, several times the Check Engine light would come on and then went off on its own.

The car now has 80,600 miles. Brought back to dealer within 60 days cause the car's engine started knocking, roughly a month after oil change. We added 2 bottles of engine oil but the knocing did not go away. We stopped driving the car and brought it back. After having dealer's appointed mechanic to look at it, turns out the engine is gone, and we've been driving the car with NO OIL.

Now dealer offering to install a used engine but we need to pay $1,300 for the engine, and the dealer will cover $1,000 labor. Our car is under 3,000 miles and still within 60-day warranty but dealer said they're not covering damages to the car due to owner negligence. They said it was our fault to drive with no oil in engine, and it's generous of them to offer to cover $1,000 labor.

The used engine will have ONE YEAR warranty.

The car is in great condition inside and out, dealer gave us brand new brakes before we drove off the lot. Question is, should we invest $1,300 or just get rid of this car such as selling the parts. Is the dealer doing the right thing by covering only partial instead of the full cost of fixing the engine?

We're not mechanics, don't know much about cars (but we do get oilchange when it's due) and we trusted the car to have no problem since we did the oil change, etc. Please help us!


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/367862_A_1.jpg

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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Hi kibibe,

Thank you for the donation.

The engine seldom fails if proper maintenance checks are done. In your case it could be oil was being consumed due to a bad engine or during oil chenge insufficient oil was added or there is a leak somewhere. Insufficient oil has damaged the bearings resulting in the knocking noise.

There is no way you can tie it up to a bad engine when it was sold to you as did not encounter any problems in the intial period. WHen engine are bad as in your case, it would fail rather quickly.

Under such circumstances, the dealer is right in refusing to accept liability. Their willingness to bear the labor cost shows goodwill on their part.

As the vehicle is still in good condition, spending $1300 to get the engine replaced would be a good option as it is going to last you for a long time to come.

With a bad engine, scrapping the vehicle is not going to get you back a lot of money.

When Check Engine Lights shows, it is recommended to get a scan done to check what is causing the problem. Such happenings should always be looked into and oil level sholud be checked on a regular basis.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MT4562
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 ISUZU RODEO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
My truck stalled at a red light today, started right back up. When I got thru the light I pulled over to see what the problem was. As I was stting there ideling, the truck was surging. The RPM'S were pulsating between about 500-1500. Although the surging has seemed to have stopped, my check engine light has come on. Any ideas what I should check before taking to a repair shop. Thanks
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Could be the idle air control valve/motor ISC, if you scan the computer for OBD2 code/s it might tell you where its actually coming from.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIM HOGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 ISUZU RODEO
Engine Performance problem
1997 Isuzu Rodeo Question 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I just purchased a 97 Rodeo with 150000 miles and read the handbook. It states that if the oil pressure does not increase on the gauge when speed has increased then to not drive it, immediately. I had noticed that the gauge read a little less than halfway the whole 15 mile drive home. Do I have a problem? Also about halfway home the Check engine light came on, and stayed.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi there,

Thank you for the donation,

You will need to do two things here, first have the engine oil pressure tested with a mechanical gauge, this will give you the actual pressure readings, and get a scan done to see what the set fault code is that has activated the check light, do this first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOYJ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 ISUZU RODEO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,000 MILES
Yeah my 97 isuzu rodeo is having some difficulties, transmission is not shifting when it needs to be, its winding down gears when it should be engaging the clutch. Also as I was driving the other day my check engine light came on and a few seconds later my check transmission light came on, no noises no grinding no nothing. Same as it was before the lights came on. Other than those issues. The throttle response isnt good, and the engine is'nt producing its max power and for some reason its averaging below 10 if not right on 10 mph. Something is wrong with it.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there, the first thing you need to do is get a scan done and see what all the fault codes are, get them check or post them here for more information.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MRSTEWBO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 ISUZU RODEO
  • 250,000 MILES
No check engine light, only oxygen sensor light. There are no error code on the obd1. Gas milage has drop 30 %. No smelly fumes from the exhaust. Vehicle runs good, just uses a lot more fuel. All other sensor seem to be working and there is no starting issues.
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:46 PM (Merged)

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