1999 Isuzu Rodeo LE from North America - Comments

I"m the original owner of a 2001 Rodeo. I've had the same fuel level gauge problem noted by previous posts. (Basically, on a full tank, I'm fine... but when I get down to about a half tank, my CEL light comes on, my fuel gauge goes to near "E", and my "fill up" icon starts flashing intermittently.) I had no idea it might be part of the 100K warranty until I read the posts here. I took my Rodeo into Isuzu (Big Red Sports in Norman, OK). After they diagnosed the problem, they told me the new fuel level sender would be $690!! I told them I had called Isuzu and that they said the fuel sender was part of the fuel pump and therefore under warranty. They told me they would have to "look into that". They called back the next day to say that it would be under warranty. (They would've ripped me off $690 had I not seen the forum here!) When they finally had everything fixed, they charged me $97 because of their diagnostics to determine why my CEL was on. They said the CEL was indicating a P0705 transmission range switch problem. Since I elected not to have that fixed at this time ($353), they charged me $97!! This infuriated me because I know the CEL was on specifically because of the fuel sender problem.

Bought my '99 Rodeo LS 4WD in Jan. 01 with 72k. I have had a couple of similar problems with those posted above, most notably having to replace the intake manifold gasket. I have had to make a few other minor repairs, but doing it myself have saved a pile of cash such as replacing the fuel pump. The most annoying nuance is the ability of the check engine light to go on and off at a whim, and has for years. I now have 200k+ on the vehicle and plan on keeping until the wheels fall off. Regular and trustworthy maintenance is the life of any vehicle. Note on the absence of a transmission dipstick, there are two bolts on the bottom of the tranny oil pan, one of which is the fill/check opening. If one decides to change the tranny fluid, it is a good idea to change the filter out as well, using an OEM filter.

I bought my '99 Rodeo LS 3.2L 4x4 in Aug 2001 with 66K Mi on it. I have had most of the same trouble listed here already and will pass along my trouble and solicit for some help also.

1. ABS motor running continuously--unplugged it and waited 3 years until recalled. Dealer fixed module, but ABS light still on, dealer wants money to see why of course. I assumed wheel speed sensor, but will try bleeding as mentioned above.

2. Fuel gauge incorrect--has been that way for 4 years and so for have run out of gas a total of 4 times. The dealer indicated you have to replace entire pump and it is $$$. After reading above, I have gone to ebay and found fuel sending module for only $30 incl. ship.

3. Strange idol--4 years ago the intake manifold gasket was replaced by dealer under extended warranty. I am having similar, but not as severe trouble now. I am going to replace it myself now for about $40 in parts.

4. Bad idol--coil pack on cylinder 3. Replaced 3 years ago.

5. Transmission shifting hard--intermitent trouble with this all the time. When it happens I turn of the engine and wait maybe 20 seconds, with no further trouble (til the next time).

6. Transmission gear selection--cleaned up the selector on the driver side of the transmission and it helped.

7. Traction always a problem in this truck, especially with the Goodyear Wranglers that were on it. Cooper Discoverer ATR's have been good to me and I just put on the second set. I got 60K miles out of the first set.

Wow, I am really amazed @ how the problems are similar.

I have a 99 rodeo (original owner) that had a bad camshaft sensor. (warranty replaced at around 35,000 miles) bad fuel sending unit that I replaced for around $45.00 real easy to do about couple hours. replaced clutch at around 80,000 miles and had bad module for ABS (continue running) pulled fuse took to dealer was a recall so they replaced. just now put in a new head gasket (cost me around 400 to do myself) tuck running great except I have another bad camshaft sensor (check engine light code say's bad sensor) ABS light stays on not sure why, I have original brakes 139,000 miles and still pads look good. might replace and bleed brakes just to see if ABS lights go out..

I am a '99 Rodeo LSE 4x4 owner. Original owner with 137k miles. Overall the vehicle has been great. I have had the sending unit problem with the gas gauge like everyone else and my vehicle does burn oil, but otherwise it has treated me very well.

The CD Changer error (ERR 3) is easy to fix and happens when you have a dirty, heavily scratched CD, or one with an extra thick label in there. Sometimes happens if you hit a hard bump while the CD is changing. To fix it, press and hold the eject button until it double beeps immidiately after it beeps, take another CD and force it part-way into the CD slot for a moment. That will push the stuck CD back into alignment or something and the unit should start to eject all the CDs one by one. It has happened to me a few times. An Isuzu dealer told me that trick a long time ago and it has worked for me a few times over the years (as recently as a month ago when I had a home-made cd in there messing things up).

I have a 97 Isuzu Rodeo that has all the same exact problems! On my way to school tonight in the rain my drivers side wiper just up and stopped working! What can I do now, I had to drive home in the dark and rain! Was no fun at all! If any one can help what may my problem be? The passenger one still works, so motor is still good!

Re the above comment, if your passenger side wiper still works, then the problem is either with the linkage on the driver's side, or (more likely) a wiper arm that has gotten loose on the pivot.

Check to see if you can move the driver's side wiper arm by hand; if it is loose then check where it attaches to the pivot. You should probably see a nut holding it on -- if it is missing or loose then your problem lies there.

Note that if it has been loose for a while, it may have stripped out the splines inside the wiper arm and/or on the pivot itself, in which case just tightening down the nut may not fix it -- you will have to replace one or both.

I am having the same problem with my 1999 Rodeo, about the fuel gauge not working. Does anyone know where I can get a new sending unit, and about how much they are? and also where is it located at on the vehicle?? If anyone knows, please email me at kelfitz09@hotmail.com

Thanks!

About the driver's side wiper not working - I had the same problem. The plastic socket part of the ball-joint on the link wore out so that the link fell out of the socket. Cleaning and replacing the part as originally assembled didn't work, but I found that reversing the ends of the link did work (even though the link is not perfectly symmetrical). The "bad " end is installed on the top instead of the bottom, so it can't fall out as easily. I did this as a temporary fix, but it has continued to work for about 2 years (even though I have new parts now, I haven't bothered to install them). Make sure to clean and grease the joints well before reassembling them. Hope this temporary fix works for you.

2001 4x4 V6 LS. I'm having the same problems with the fuel sending unit. I'm not sure if I'll make it home tonight.

I have a 1999 3.L rodeo LS with K on it and haven't had any major problems yet except a bad transmission line which I fixed myself for about 6 bucks at autozone and the normal problems everyone else is having such as high oil consumption and bad gas mileage (i get about 250 miles on a full tank) and of course the EGR valve which I plan on replacing in the next few days. I did have one question though I've had problems starting it up from a cold start and I had the starter, alternator and battery checked at autozone for free and they all checked out fine. Does anybody know what the problem could be?

I have a 1999 Honda Passport v6 3.2 (same Isuzu Rodeo), problems seems all to be the same (oil consumption, wiper linkage, bad sending unit, bad mpg), but the greatest problem I have in my vehicle is bad braking. ABS used to start for nothing so the vehicle didn't stop normally, then I took of the ABS relay but if I'm driving 55 mph or more I have to push really hard brake pedals to get vehicle stopped.

Any suggestions on brake improvement are welcome.

My 1999 4x4 5spd. Rodeo has the fuel gauge problem and rear wiper stopped working 2 years ago. Just replaced the starter. Got a used one from a wrecker. It didn't work. My shop guys put in a rebuilt ($424). Exhaust had to be dropped from manifold to muffler system. Too tuff for a home repair. I enjoy drivng it.

Have a 1999 5 speed 4x4 LS. Nice to drive. Mileage not great.

Had a problem that I was told was fuel pump. Very expensive quote. I switched a relay from the heater to the fuel pump circuit and the car starts every time. All the relays are the same number. Have a spare in the glove compartment when needed.

Yes, it uses oil, but have had cars before that ran for years always using oil from the beginning.

Since I bought this Rodeo with 180,000 kms on it, maybe most problems have been fixed. After reading about all the problems others have had I'm a bit nervous. Have only driven about 15,000 since purchase.

Ron