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SUVs Isuzu Axiom Isuzu Axiom Maintenance and Repair
207 messages, Last post on Nov 30, 2009 at 5:58 PM
You are in the Isuzu Axiom Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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I bought an Axiom for $7,000.00 within 3 weeks it started chugging, check engine light and reduced power light came on. I had to replace fuel pump, then carborator, then computer and a few other parts. Cost of $3500.00 thought that would be it. Ran for 3 good months, started stalling, check engine light and reduce power light on again. can't drive over 20mhp. now I'm told it is the wireing harness and might cost $1500-$4000 to fix. It is a piece of sssssshhhh.............tttttttt. I'm so mad. Cant afford to trade it in, cant afford to fix it anymore. Its just a driveway ornament. If I knew I would have bought something brand new. 
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Alex: Sorry to hear of the problems you have been having. I hope you did not buy a lemon vehicle. Still, I could use some more info on your situation, such as mileage and whether you took the car to an Isuzu dealer or a all-around mechanic, and any other pertinent info, such as why they think it is the wiring harness... I am doubtful about the diagnosis your mechanic gave you. When I experienced the symptoms you describe, it turned out to be a clogged EGR valve. This is a part you can remove with two bolts and clean with acetone and a wire brush. But the symptoms, CEL on, reduced power, sluggish performance, were essentially the same. But, there can be many causes. Luckily, I was able to drive my car to my local Autozone dealer and have them plug in their OBD SCAN Tool and tell me what the Check Engine Light code was. This is a free service at Autozone, and Advanced Auto Parts, too. Then I Googled the code and knew it was the EGR valve and then took it from there. So, before you torch your Axiom for the insurance money, why not get someone to check the CEL code for you and/or get a 2nd opinion from another mechanic? While it is possible that you could have a wiring harness problem, even the service manual I have does not suggest this as a possible cause, based on your symptoms. See if you can get the Check Engine Light code and post back here, so we can comment on that. But, I would not trust what you were told without some backup or a 2nd opinion By the way, the entire service manual is available online in PDF format for less than $20, and it details the troubleshooting procedures for this kind of problem in Chapter 6. Hope this helps... Bert, do you have any thoughts on this???. |
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Some humble pie here: I poured over the Service Manual with your situation in mind, and it is very possible that there is a problem with the wiring harness that serves the PCM (Power Control Module), or the Multiplex Controller, which is why it would be important to know if there were any Diagnostic Test Codes set in your vehicle. Based on your description, it does sound like the Reduced Power Light is staying ON constantly after the vehicle is started, is that right? But, we do not know if there are any Diagnostic Test codes (DTCs) being set, without the SCAN TOOL scan I suggested earlier. Be aware that the Service manual says the following: "The RPL should not remain “ON” with the engine running and no DTC(s) set. A steady RPL with the engine running and no DTC(s) suggests a short to ground in the RPL driver circuit. An intermittent RPL may be caused by a poor connection, rubbed through wire insulation, or a wire broken inside the insulation." However, the problem can also be caused by a bad Multiplex Controller, or a bad PCM module, or in a best case scenario. a simple problem with one little wire leading from the Multiplex Controller to the RPL light in your dash's instrument cluster panel, or last but not least, a defective instrument cluster panel. (See diagram on page 1060 of the Service Manual below). Please look over the following three pages in PDF format. Download them and then post back here when you have them, so I can delete them, to keep my webmaster happy. I will leave them up for a few days for you: http://www.vivagen.net/Docs/2002_Isuzu_Axiom_US_Service_Manual_pg1060.pdf http://www.vivagen.net/Docs/2002_Isuzu_Axiom_US_Service_Manual_pg1061.pdf http://www.vivagen.net/Docs/2002_Isuzu_Axiom_US_Service_Manual_pg1062.pdf ********************* Bottom line, you should buy your own copy of the Service Manual online, then get a friend with a TECH 2 OBD SCANTOOL and lots of auto repair experience to check this out for you. You may be able to find and fix this problem yourself and save some $$$. Wouldn't that be great! I would hate to find out you have a loose wire that is easy to fix and the other guy missed it!!! Don't forget to post back here if you find a DTC code to share.
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Replying to: walk_the_walk2 (Jul 10, 2009 11:21 am) One way to save a pdf file with Windows is using the Print Screen key to copy the image to the Clipboard, and then paste it into Paint, then click Save As.
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Replying to: walk_the_walk2 (Jul 07, 2009 7:55 am) My question: will the vehicle be safe to drive? Thank you - Coop
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Replying to: coop15 (Jul 11, 2009 6:14 am) Most Consumer Rights people attached to state AG offices are a great and aggressive resource. Let us know how it all turns out. Bert |
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Replying to: bertbcfm (Jul 11, 2009 1:58 pm) I can't thank you enough - you're giving me the resources to help her. I didn't even know we had a State Insurance Commissioner... Funny, last Wednesday my husband paid a visit to the welding shop and apparently put this guy on notice, this morning he refused to touch the vehicle (finally got it up on a lift to look, with my girlfriend in attendance). Literally falling apart in rusty chunks - He said he wouldn't touch it if he couldn't guarantee her safety - (???). What I suspected all along, why did it take a visit from a man to 'compel' this guy's moral reasoning... I will let you know - thanks again. I'm so grateful I found this site.... Sherry
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Replying to: steve_ (Jul 10, 2009 12:11 pm) |
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Replying to: coop15 (Jul 11, 2009 4:20 pm) This is how I was able to have my insurance company "total" my wife's Isuzu Axiom. I got $7500 for the car, and was expecting $0. 1. Call your insurance company and tell them you hit a really bad pothole. Make sure there are potholes or construction near or where you were driving. Or tell them you were driving in a place where you know there is road construction (pretty much most state highways these days). Tell them you almost had an accident and it helps if you had small children or senior citizens with you (empathy play). Both were the case with my wife. You can also visit your local state highway comission and view all the ongoing road construction projects and refer to them by project # (I'll get to this later). Example is like the Mass one: http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=dist/distRoot&sid=wrapper&iid=dist/d- ist.asp Print out a copy of the state highway project report and location and make sure you give it to the adjuster to show him/her that you didn't do this on your own. If you can convince them that road construction by the state caused the unusual damage, then they would not have a chance in hell suing the state for the claim you want them to pay you. 2. DO NOT tell the insurance adjuster about the NHTSA Report # PE09030 opened on June 16th 2009. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ Telling the insurance adjuster about this pending case will only allow them to assume it's a defect in the car mfg and let you deal with the problem once the government sues Isuzu.....10 years from now. Do not mention this to the adjuster. (The Isuzu Rodeo uses the exact same frame as the Aixom). DO submit your own claim on this site. 3. DO Call Isuzu and file a formal complaint. They will do nothing and will tell you that they are prepared to do nonthing since they don't want your business any more. Record the Case #. 4. DO take pictures of potholes that you say are the some of the ones that you hit. Make sure the hole is on the correct side of the road and match the axel side that is rusted off. Otherwise it will look like you were driving on the wrong side of the road. 5. DO look into the Cash for Clunkers program if it's still in effect by the time you read this posting. I was ready to drive an 8 inch bolt between the frame and the rear trailing arm just good enough for me to drive the car 3 miles to my new car dealer to get $3500. I would have towed it to the parking lot next store to the dealership for $50 and hobble it across the parking lot to get my free money. I had the towing company bring her Axiom to the Isuzu service dealer and they told me the only repair was a new frame for about $6000. Then I had the car brought back to my house and left it there until the adjuster came and eventually towed away. 6. DO expect a letter from your insurance company after they pay the claim (at least in MA) that in such a situation where there is no other driver in an accident, they are allowed by MA law to assume that you are more than 50% at fault and as a result they are eliminating your safe driver credit! Is that a kicker or what! It's not like she hit a pole or tree or other parked car. It was a pot hole left in the road by the state! You are entitled to dispute the judgement and have your day in traffic/insurance court. So.....remember that list of road projects that you pulled down where you ran over the "pot" hole, and remember those compelling pot hole photos you took where you destroyed the car? Well make copies of those and include all of them in your letter stating that the state is at fault in that they did not adequately prepare the road surface for safe driving (unless it says drive at your own risk on signs). Use those photos of the road and surrounding area with constructions ignes, barrels, potholes with objects (like your leg) that show how deep they are. Have these ready for the insurance adjuster in case you feel he's going to find in "favor" of the insurance company. 7. DO ask for another insurance adjuster if the first one doesn't see the damge your way. You probably have been a paying customer for many years now and that is the least they could do. If the car is at a repair facility, state they must have looked at the wrong car or confused your car. If it's at your home (like mine was) be friendly and cordial to the adjuster. Ask if they've ever seen potholes cause this type of damage? Ask if the insurance company would go after the state after paying out your claim (a bit presumptuous). 8. DO file a complaint with the state Insurance Comissioner if you are denied. Call your local consumer advocate. In Boston, we have Hank Phillipie Ryan, Help me Hank, and others on the local network affiliates. A phone call could be worth $7K or more. 9. DO NOT buy another Isuzu.....Just had to throw this one in (since they don't sell passenger cards in North America). Just thought I would pass on my advice to success.
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