1999 Isuzu Amigo - Starting/Shifting Problems

MIKEL

MEMBER
1999 ISUZU

Doesn't look like there's a lot of people out there with info for us Isuzu folks :-(

I have a 1999 Isuzu Amigo, 55000 miles, 3.2L V6 engine, automatic transmission. About a month ago my battery died, and needed replacing. I noticed a massive amount of corrosion on my battery terminal, so when I put the new battery in I cleaned it up and put a felt/gunk protector kit on my posts.

Ever since it's had an intermittant starting problem where all I hear is a single click and the car will not start - no cranking, nothing. I do this several more times and eventually it starts up like nothing was wrong, without sputtering or complaint.

I was driving it a lot last night, and at one point started it up after another fight, and found that it was changing gears hard. There would be a low clunk everytime I changed gears, both speeding up and slowing down. I shut off the car when I got to a safe place, let it sit, and when I got back in and restarted the car it was fine - hasn't done it again since.

The starting problem is getting worse though - it used to only happen first thing in the morning, and now it happens everytime you start the car after it's been off for more than an hour.

What do you think?

2 Replies

CARRENR

MEMBER
2 POSTS

You and I have the same problem and I'm still working on mine. It appears I've done almost everything in the book (Haynes) and after all the forums I've been on, it appears that most are saying that it's the ignition switch. This is located under the steering wheel column.
I've found a lot of parts at an awesome site: www. Rockauto. Com and they are the least expensive car parts for everything. I've done a lot of price comparison and they are the lowest.
Anyway, when I replaced my battery on my 1991 S, 2.6L and started having problems, I listened to everyone and paid the price. I suggest taking it into the dealer, have them do the diagnostics (pay the labor) and then work on it yourself.
I found out when I first had problems that it could have been a clogged fuel filter (replaced it). Still same problem, then I was told it could be the ignition module (replaced it). Still problems, then these are the parts in order of replacement and I'm working on it:
Replaced:
Ignition coil & condenser
Distributor cap and rotor
Spark plugs/wires
Working on replacement of the Ignition switch as I write this.
Also ordered a new fuel pump, (I'm told it could be this too)

The only thing left is to replace the Injectors. They too can be clogged.

The last thing to replace is the ECM (Electronic Computer Module), as they say that the computer CAN go out.

Anyway, good luck. This make of car is a mystery to even the experienced mechanics!