Isuzu Amigo / Axiom / Trooper / Rodeo / VehiCross. Manual - part 1395

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RODEO 6VD1 3.2L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Sensors and Miscellaneous Component Locators

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T321067

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060R200080

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RODEO 6VD1 3.2L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

041RW004

025RW005

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RODEO 6VD1 3.2L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Diagnosis

Strategy-Based Diagnostics

Strategy-Based Diagnostics

The strategy-based diagnostic is a uniform approach to
repair all Electrical/Electronic (E/E) systems.  The
diagnostic flow can always be used to resolve an E/E
system problem and is a starting point when repairs are
necessary.  The following steps will instruct the technician
how to proceed with a diagnosis:

1. Verify the customer complaint.

D

To verify the customer complaint, the technician
should know the normal operation of the system.

2. Perform preliminary checks.

D

Conduct a thorough visual inspection.

D

Review the service history.

D

Detect unusual sounds or odors.

D

Gather diagnostic trouble code information to
achieve an effective repair.

3. Check bulletins and other service information.

D

This includes videos, newsletters, etc.

4. Refer to service information (manual) system

check(s).

D

“System checks” contain information on a system
that may not be supported by one or more DTCs.
System checks verify proper operation of the
system.  This will lead the technician in an
organized approach to diagnostics.

5. Refer to service diagnostics.

DTC Stored

Follow the designated DTC chart exactly to make an
effective repair.

No DTC

Select the symptom from the symptom tables.  Follow the
diagnostic paths or suggestions to complete the repair.
You may refer to the applicable component/system check
in the system checks.

No Matching Symptom

1. Analyze the complaint.
2. Develop a plan for diagnostics.
3. Utilize the wiring diagrams and the theory of

operation.

Combine technician knowledge with efficient use of the
available service information.

Intermittents

Conditions that are not always present are called
intermittents.  To resolve intermittents, perform the
following steps:

1. Observe history DTCs, DTC modes, and freeze

frame data.

2. Evaluate the symptoms and the conditions described

by the customer.

3. Use a check sheet or other method to identify the

circuit or electrical system component.

4. Follow the suggestions for intermittent diagnosis

found in the service documentation.

Most Scan Tools, such as the Tech 2, have data-capturing
capabilities that can assist in detecting intermittents.

No Trouble Found

This condition exists when the vehicle is found to operate
normally.  The condition described by the customer may
be normal.  Verify the customer complaint against another
vehicle that is operating normally.  The condition may be
intermittent.  Verify the complaint under the conditions
described by the customer before releasing the vehicle.

1. Re-examine the complaint.

When the complaint cannot be successfully found or
isolated, a re-evaluation is necessary.  The complaint
should be re-verified and could be intermittent as
defined in 

Intermittents section, or could be normal.

2. Repair and verify.

After isolating the cause, the repairs should be made.
Validate for proper operation and verify that the
symptom has been corrected.  This may involve road
testing or other methods to verify that the complaint
has been resolved under the following conditions:

D

Conditions noted by the customer.

D

If a DTC was diagnosed, verify a repair by
duplicating conditions present when the DTC was
set as noted in the Failure Records or Freeze
Frame data.

Verifying Vehicle Repair

Verification of the vehicle repair will be more
comprehensive for vehicles with OBD II system
diagnostics.  Following a repair, the technician should
perform the following steps:

IMPORTANT:

Follow the steps below when you verify

repairs on OBD II systems.  Failure to follow these steps
could result in unnecessary repairs.

1. Review and record the Failure Records and the

Freeze Frame data for the DTC which has been
diagnosed (Freeze Frame data will only be stored for
an A or B type diagnostic and only if the MIL(”Check
Engine” lamp) has been requested).

2. Clear the DTC(S).
3. Operate the vehicle within conditions noted in the

Failure Records and Freeze Frame data.

4. Monitor the DTC status information for the DTC which

has been diagnosed until the diagnostic test
associated with that DTC runs.

General Service Information

OBD II Serviceablity Issues

With the introduction of OBD II diagnostics across the
entire passenger car and light-duty truck market in 1996,
illumination of the MIL (“Check Engine” lamp) due to a
non-vehicle fault could lead to misdiagnosis of the
vehicle, increased warranty expense and customer

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RODEO 6VD1 3.2L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

dissatisfaction.  The following list of non-vehicle faults
does not include every possible fault and may not apply
equally to all product lines.

Fuel Quality
Fuel quality is not a new issue for the automotive industry,
but its potential for turning on the MIL (“Check Engine”
lamp) with OBD II systems is new.
Fuel additives such as “dry gas” and “octane enhancers”
may affect the performance of the fuel.  If this results in an
incomplete combustion or a partial burn, it will show up as
a Misfire DTC P0300.  The Reed Vapor Pressure of the
fuel can also create problems in the fuel system,
especially during the spring and fall months when severe
ambient temperature swings occur.  A high Reed Vapor
Pressure could show up as a Fuel Trim DTC due to
excessive canister loading.  High vapor pressures
generated in the fuel tank can also affect the Evaporative
Emission diagnostic as well.
Using fuel with the wrong octane rating for the vehicle
may cause driveability problems.  Many of the major fuel
companies advertise that using “premium” gasoline will
improve the performance of the vehicle.  Most premium
fuels use alcohol to increase the octane rating of the fuel.
Although alcohol-enhanced fuels may raise the octane
rating, the fuel’s ability to turn into vapor in cold
temperatures deteriorates.  This may affect the starting
ability and cold driveability of the engine.
Low fuel levels can lead to fuel starvation, lean engine
operation, and eventually engine misfire.

Non-OEM Parts
All of the OBD II diagnostics have been calibrated to run
with OEM parts.  Something as simple as a
high-performance exhaust system that affects exhaust
system back pressure could potentially interfere with the
operation of the EGR valve and thereby turn on the MIL
(“Check Engine” lamp).  Small leaks in the exhaust
system near the post catalyst oxygen sensor can also
cause the MIL (“Check Engine” lamp) to turn on.
Aftermarket electronics, such as transceivers, stereos,
and anti-theft devices, may radiate EMI into the control
system if they are improperly installed.  This may cause a
false sensor reading and turn on the MIL (“Check Engine”
lamp).

Environment
Temporary environmental conditions, such as localized
flooding, will have an effect on the vehicle ignition system.
If the ignition system is rain-soaked, it can temporarily
cause engine misfire and turn on the MIL (“Check Engine”
lamp).

Refueling
A new OBD II diagnostic was introduced in 1996 on some
vehicles.  This diagnostic checks the integrity of the entire
evaporative emission system.  If the vehicle is restarted
after refueling and the fuel cap is not secured correctly,
the on-board diagnostic system will sense this as a
system fault and turn on the MIL (“Check Engine” lamp)
with a DTC P0440.

Vehicle Marshaling
The transportation of new vehicles from the assembly
plant to the dealership can involve as many as 60 key
cycles within 2 to 3 miles of driving.  This type of operation
contributes to the fuel fouling of the spark plugs and will
turn on the MIL (“Check Engine” lamp) with a P0300
Misfire DTC.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance
The sensitivity of OBD II diagnostics will cause the MIL
(“Check Engine” lamp) to turn on if the vehicle is not
maintained properly.  Restricted air filters, fuel filters, and
crankcase deposits due to lack of oil changes or improper
oil viscosity can trigger actual vehicle faults that were not
previously monitored prior to OBD II.  Poor vehicle
maintenance can’t be classified as a “non-vehicle fault”,
but with the sensitivity of OBD II diagnostics, vehicle
maintenance schedules must be more closely followed.

Related System Faults
Many of the OBD II system diagnostics will not run if the
PCM detects a fault on a related system or component.
One example would be that if the PCM detected a Misfire
fault, the diagnostics on the catalytic converter would be
suspended until Misfire fault was repaired.  If the Misfire
fault was severe enough, the catalytic converter could be
damaged due to overheating and would never set a
Catalyst DTC until the Misfire fault was repaired and the
Catalyst diagnostic was allowed to run to completion.  If
this happens, the customer may have to make two trips to
the dealership in order to repair the vehicle.

Emissions Control Information Label

The engine compartment “Vehicle Emissions Control
Information Label” contains important emission
specifications and setting procedures.  In the upper left
corner is exhaust emission information.  This identifies
the emission standard (Federal, California, or Canada) of
the engine, the displacement of the engine in liters, the
class of the vehicle, and the type of fuel metering system.
There is also an illustrated emission components and
vacuum hose schematic.
This label is located in the engine compartment of every
vehicle.  If the label has been removed it should be
replaced.  It can be ordered from Isuzu Dealership.

Visual / Physical Engine Compartment
Inspection

Perform a careful  visual and physical engine
compartment inspection when performing any diagnostic
procedure or diagnosing the cause of an emission test
failure.  This can often lead to repairing a problem without
further steps.  Use the following guidelines when
performing a visual/physical inspection:

D

Inspect all vacuum hoses for pinches, cuts,
disconnections, and proper routing.

D

Inspect hoses that are difficult to see behind other
components.