AboutDavid Scott Expertise Questions regarding the advisability of different kinds of modifications to Samurai/Sidekick/Tracker or various kinds of off-road usage. I will not attempt to do more than provide links for questions about other Suzukis such as Vitara, Grand Vitara, etc. I may or may not give generalized advice for newer models, but have no experience regarding newer models, and will not attempt to give more than the most generalized answers for questions regarding vehicles later than '93 manufacture. I will however, if possible, provide a link that will help you contact a professional in your region.
Experience I've been a professional mechanic for over thirty five years, live in the center of the Rocky Mountains, and have been active in exploring the old mining/4wd roads for decades. I've specific experience with Samurai modification, because that's my personal vehicle.
Education/Credentials Thirty five years of advanced, intensive classes for experienced professionals only. Manufacturer seminars and training classes averaging four to six weeks per year. I'm now a professional heavy duty fleet mechanic, and no longer deal with issues such as MIL (check engine) lights
Expert: David Scott Date: 2/7/2008 Subject: Sidekick Starting Problems
Question QUESTION: I have 93 sidekick that has a starting problem.The fuel pump relay clicks rapidly at first,and then slows down to a stop and usauly starts but not always.When it does start it runs perfectly doesn't stall and has lots of power and the problem doesn't happen until I turn it off and try to start it again.
ANSWER: I suspect the relay, but I would not discount the quality of power supply, and ground quality. The clicking is very often a symptom of power or ground issues.
scotty
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QUESTION: Thanks scotty, I have checked the grounds and voltage,when I increase the voltage slightly with a battery charger the fuel pump makes a slightly different sound and the relay stops clicking and the engine starts.Would the fuel pump be getting weak? (120,000 plus miles on the rig)
Answer The relay is merely a magnetically operated switch. There's a fault in either the relay, it's wiring, or the "signal" from the ECM that actuates the relay (as I remember, the ECM grounds the magnetic coil, thereby creating the magnetic field that pulls the contact points together). You can check the pump either with a ammeter,(usually an older punp draws more amperage as it wears out) or the amp trace with an oscilliscope,(which is something best left for those who have already compared a known good pattern to the pattern of a pump that is failing)
Bypass the relay at it's contacts, and the pump should run every time if it's ok. I still maintain that the clicking relay is a symptom of your problem. Find the cause of the clicking, and you've solved the problem.
Do you have an electrical diagram of the fuel system (fuel injection)? You need one to know where the grounds and power supplies are. It's not always just a case of battery connections. If the ECM has power or ground problems, that could be responsible for the clicking relay.
scotty
