20 Most Recent 1989 Suzuki Sidekick Questions & Answers

check out the link https://www.google.com/search?q=1989+Suzuki+Sidekick+remove+vacuum+modulator ..

the 89( very old) sidekick;tracker/vitara,sunrunners. all have a 3speed, relic trans there, its the old TH180 made since 1974 or older. its has no electronics at all , but does have TCC lockup feature. but this is not about TCC. its a pure hyramatic trans, suz name 3L30. does it work in reverse,? 1: check levels by the book, do not guess, its not checked like any engine. (lost the operators guide? ) we have one. 2: get it serviced with new fluid and filter yet? 3: check the shifter cable ,see if it is failing,? sounds like it fails only hot, right?>? hot oil can leak inside the box past worn seals, and fail. if true that is a bad trans.

the first sidekick ever. 1989. (and tracker) the first few were made in Iwata japan then at CAMI (canada) then on. first off this year, came with 2 engines, 1.3L carb and 1.6L TBI EFI. so what engine? we can NEVER guess and engine, blind. The CEL if a CEL , and TBI 1.6L engine G16A that lamp can glow for 2 reasons in 1989-95. Check engine. function and what we call the NAG lamp. http://www.fixkick.com/CEL/NAG-Lamp.html the nag switch is hidden in 3 locations in 7 year span. its just to make folks angry.... (Hiroshima>? revenge?) on this car, if it has a NAG it on the bottom kick panel between your legs, (toes) and can never be seen. only felt (lacking a mirror) NAG = federal (usa) mileage warning see if leaded fuel messed up the CAT ,deal,, (totally useless now) We remove them at the cluster 3 wire connector forever. so if present slide the switch 1 time. now the CEL lamp can flash out flash codes. http://www.fixkick.com/CEL/CEL.html hard cold starts, if CEL flashes 12s does it? causes (top, not a guess) I do tests to find these but takes TOOLS.

1. never tuned up with all new spark parts and filters.
2. cam belt slipped. (60k part)
3. engine is flooding, high fuel pressure, (too high)
4. TBI injector o-ring leaking. flooding starts.
5. ECT wires fell off.
6. map hoses bad. or clogged end to end. from plenum to map sensor insides (nipple not clogged either)
7. not melted cat, runs fine hot.
8. not code 12s flashing (good) so what is it flashing. ?
9. stuck open EGR main, (that can bounce closed as you crank long then be ok... for a while, many old EGR like to stick just as you stop car and shut down) can be felt by hand on any 8v engine easy. the diaphram ring can be exercised with fingers.
10. IAC bad, stuck closed, preventing cold start air . and flooding.
11. ISC valve same.
12. Dash pot valve stuck retracted. (clod start vacuum start)
13. spark timed wrong , see cam belt slip.

ever get a full 60,000 mile tuneup,this decade?guessing wont work replacing good parts.This is the G16a engine, (8valve head)The car is known for.1: timing belt slips after 60,000 miles, its needs to be not ignored, or it will spit, sputter and misfire grossly.2: new cap, new rotor, new hv wires, 1by1 do not mix order. new filters, new timing belt.that is a 60k mile.3: in the 89 the distrib, VR ignitors like to fail.(inside distrib)4: at timing belt change, the valve lash is set.if ignored, kiss off valves, as they burn up.Can list 45 more... here is the 50 cause page, for misfire.http://www.fixkick.com/misfiring.html

posted 3 times 2 anony. read the answers.is car USAis it federal car. if yes it has a NAG switch.slide it per the links , posted 2 times now on your 2 other posts.

posted 3 time Penny? mostly anon? why do that.? 3 times.? first tell the helper, (i know G16 very well) what engine is there and if in USA or Canada.(or California) we have different EFI here. state side.. so.......?????? or G16 engine? the USA car , and federal only and never CALIF has this switch this is first thing to do.. the fed car can have 3 locations 1 behind the left speaker. 2: center kick panel driver, low. (feel it only) 3: and does the fuse box lid above the left knee have the DIAG FUSE?slot>? http://www.fixkick.com/CEL/MPI-cancel-switch.gif http://www.fixkick.com/CEL/mpi-nag2.jpg http://www.fixkick.com/CEL/mileage-cancel-sw-1w.jpg if not found this switch the CEL lamp does flash 12's on demand diagnostic, mode. there are 2 ways to get that to work in 1989,. the fuse slot, if fitted. (look) or here this page shows all DIAG jumpers for ALL years. even 89 http://www.fixkick.com/CEL/DLC/DiagJump.html if fuse is missing (not there on lid) jumper B to C in link above 4 pin version DLC connector.

ah double posted, ok but now the year, 1989 wlll that is a G16a engine, 8 valves. and is free running, engine. end story. 4 way covered. FSM the belt new has a page that shows how. and here http://www.fixkick.com/t-belt/tbelt8v.html

the 3L30 automatic, its old fashioned Hyramatic, it has no TCM brain, like the 4 speed. the tests are all easy. the Reverse stall tests fails in reverse only cold this is the 2nd test in the fsm.

1. levels good per steps in operators guide, lost that?
2. do the full service, the filter or screen,. is clogged. (above pan)
3. is the ATF fluid pink, red or black>? does it smell sweet or burned socks.?
4. if all that is done, the FSM directs you to do the line pressure test.
5. if the Line pressure is out of spec. in reverse , the tranny is bad.

if 5 fails. live with it or fix it, it will never get better. as pressure drops more the 1 gear will slip. http://www.fixkick.com/slush-pump.html#3L30

just behind the evap. what makes you think its bad, id bet you its not. why not post the symtpoms. and we can tell you each test to do and find the truth. 1989 is R12 not R134a sorry, but your car is the oldest sidekick made. here is the schematic. questions: 1: DOES THE a/c LAMP GLOW. 2: DOES THE FAN IN THE HEATER BOX BLOW ON HIGH. 3: Is the compressor shaft turning at same speed as engine.? 3a: if 3 fails is the pulley spinning on compr. but the shaft dead. yes, then the clutch is disengaged , on .purpose. do you have 12volts on both sides of the Hi/Lo switch no?, bingo. got 5 more bingo'/s want to try?, ask. http://www.fixkick.com/air-conditioning.html

Lots of work to do ya need comp and the exhaust and the wiring harness lots to do has to be the same year have Fun

The pressure test is for the fuel vapor system if your cap test shows good then there is a leak I from the fuel tank/charcoal canister or related lines that are used to prevent gas fumes from entering the air (pollution)

old post, your not. it is timed to #4 firing. the belt comes with a page showing that and the FSM, and alldata.com or here. the steps are different from 8v and 16v read that here. http://www.fixkick.com/t-belt/tbelt-index.html when you get over 150psi compression, or 170 on 16v you now have it correct.

1.3L or 1.6L its the front of the engine , old post and might be missing, it has long tube. seen seen here. see yellow tube here. (this is G16 engine but is same on 8valve) yellow part. http://www.fixkick.com/engine/97-motor-pull/HTML/image_59.html page 9 see 8valve engine. see oil dip stick and its tube, here, in silver between the water pump and alternator. radiator/fan and friends not present http://www.fixkick.com/engine/8v-Show-boat/8v-showboat.pdf

lots of safty issues here, please careful.towed from from front or reardolly or flat towed.fixkick.com see FAQ there, question 1.

89, the dizzy loves to fail. it has a standalone dizzy until 1991.so the ECU does not make spark on 1.6L , 1.3L is carb car.the dizzy ignitor or VR devices like to fail hot.check spark with it wont start bingo , bad dizzy, next?

check your power there should be fuse links or fuses by the battery or starter

check the fuel presure

Bad starter or starter connection! Check battery terminals for clean.