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Isuzu Axiom Maintenance and Repair

381 messages,  Last post on Sep 16, 2012 at 5:50 PM

You are in the Isuzu Axiom Forum.

What is this discussion about? Isuzu Axiom, SUV

    
 
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Messages Page 36 of 39

#342 of 381 Intelligent Suspension Control- ISC shocks by massmusclecar

Nov 09, 2011 (10:19 pm)

The 2003/04 base model axioms did not have the ISC system, and some other standard features- they just had basic shocks and they seem to be readlily available aftermarket. they might be the same part number as rodeo. So far my ISC shocks are fine, a bit of weepage in one of them but they still feel firm. The ISC unit on the top of the shock basically limited the amount of movement in the shock by opening and closing a valve that controlled the number of steps in the shock valve damping. If I recall from 7 steps to 4 for the firmer sport ride.
For a better ride, be sure your tire pressure is no more than 3 pounds above the standard 26PSI. Regards.
Go Farther...

#343 of 381 Heater blower doesn't work when COLD! by arkyax

Nov 11, 2011 (8:40 pm)

I have an '02 2wd Axiom with a strange problem that I haven't seen on the board. I live in Arkansas and when it gets really cold outside (low 20s or lower) my heater blower motor doesn't run. It happened several times last year.
 
I live a couple of miles to work and normally I can start the truck and let it warm up a little and before I get to work, the heater is blowing hot air. On these really cold days I have driven for up to 30-45 minutes before the blower will start working. When it does, the air is hot.
 
The engine is up to temp but it seems dependent on cabin temp and not engine compartment or engine temp.
 
I've mentioned it to people. One suggested that I had an air pocket in my coolant and I pulled the radiator cap and let it run for a while to see if the bubble would come out and the coolant level change. No change.
 
Any Ideas? Thanks

#344 of 381 Re: Heater blower doesn't work when COLD! [arkyax] by a9x2

Nov 11, 2011 (10:20 pm)

Replying to: arkyax (Nov 11, 2011 8:40 pm)
Radiator bubble...? LOL Try banging your fist around under the passenger side of the dash. My blower stopped working and I needed a new blower motor--this made it click on until I had it replaced.

#345 of 381 Re: Heater blower doesn't work when COLD! [a9x2] by massmusclecar

Nov 12, 2011 (8:05 am)

Replying to: a9x2 (Nov 11, 2011 10:20 pm)
Late year and again this year I have had an intermittent prob with my blower motor. It seems when it is cold and it is on a lower speed I get this bearing whinging noise but it seems to go away when I put the speed up or it warms up a bit so i assume after 10 years it is getting tired. I also wondered if something/debris might be in the blower motor cage. noise tends to go away so have not had the time to check under the dash and see how hard it is to replace the motor. anyway have an idea? cant be any worse than what we did to replace the motor in a late model camry. whole dash had to be taken apart to get at the heater box and motor. full day job and it was not pretty.

#346 of 381 Re: Heater blower doesn't work when COLD! [massmusclecar] by walk_the_walk2

Nov 12, 2011 (8:49 am)

Replying to: massmusclecar (Nov 12, 2011 8:05 am)
I replaced mine on my 02 Axiom for the exact same reason you describe. It was making the same noise... easy to do, easy to access, too. Just remove the connector and take out 3 or 4 screws and it comes right out.
 
I did find some leaves and debris in the squirrel cage when I replaced the heater blower motor with a new one, so in retrospect, if I had it to do over, I would remove (drop) the motor, clean out the debris, and lubricate it with WD40 or similar product, and see if it works WITHOUT replacing it. If it doesn't fix it, you can always buy a new motor. I got mine on Ebay from a wholesaler, as I recall for less than $50.

#347 of 381 Re: Heater blower doesn't work when COLD! [arkyax] by walk_the_walk2

Nov 12, 2011 (9:09 am)

Replying to: arkyax (Nov 11, 2011 8:40 pm)
Hey Arkyax: Looking at the Workshop (Service) Manual for the '02 Axiom, I can see in the wiring diagram that electrically upstream of the blower motor, there is first a heater control relay, followed by two 15A fuses that feed power to the blower motor. There is no T'stat switch, per se, but the other side of the motor control is tied to the Auto A/C control unit (PCU) that does have inputs from three temp sensors - a duct sensor, an ambient air sensor, and an in-car sensor, which show up on the wiring diagram as some type of thermistor or other resistive temperature sensor or element. Two of them are stand-alone and appear to be easily replaced if defective - the duct sensor and the ambient sensor. The in-car sensor is shown as being part and parcel of (an integral part of) the intake actuator. There are three actuators, too - think of them like dampers - an intake actuator, a mix actuator and a mode actuator. This later one routes air to the floor vent or dash vent and so on.
 
So, I hope the problem that you are having is either a problem with the motor bearing lubricant, which can be easily fixed for $50 by replacing the blower motor, and is not related to the temp sensors, or the Auto A/C PCU. One test you could try, since it would not be hard to do, is to wait for a cold evening, remove the blower motor, take it inside where it's warm, then bring it out in the morning when it's cold and reinstall it and test it. This would isolate the problem to the blower motor and its bearings, which by now are probably getting old. If it is the blower motor it is REALLY EASY TO REPLACE, as described in my previous posting. Check eBay to see if the fellow I bought mine from is still selling new OEM Isuzu blower motors for $50 or so, if you opt to replace it, as I think the motor is about $100 from a dealer.
 
Hope that helps.

#348 of 381 Re: Heater blower doesn't work when COLD! [massmusclecar] by bertbcfm

Nov 12, 2011 (5:18 pm)

Replying to: massmusclecar (Nov 12, 2011 8:05 am)
I'd pull out the motor (not too hard to do) and try to lubricate it. Use 3in1 oil or a bit heavier not WD40 as it's not really a lubricant and will evaporate quickly. While in there blow/vacuum out the duct work and you might get a few more years out of it.
 
Regards
Bert

#349 of 381 Re: Heater blower doesn't work when COLD! [walk_the_walk2] by arkyax

Nov 12, 2011 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: walk_the_walk2 (Nov 12, 2011 9:09 am)
Thanks Everyone for the quick response.
I have taken the motor out to see if something was stuck in the squirrel cage and found nothing holding the motor. I vacuumed out the crap that was in the duct work just because I was in there. It was cold out and I gave the motor a twirl and it spun like a top. So I don't think it's a lub problem.
 
I DIDN'T know that there were 3 sensors in the circuit, a duct sensor, an ambient air sensor, and an in-car sensor. I felt that it was electrical all along because the blower would not spin at all and then all of a sudden it would work once the cabin temp got a little warmer.
It's now 50° to 60° and it works perfectly. I'll check into replacing the duct and ambient air sensors before it gets too cold out.
 
Thanks again.

#350 of 381 Re: Heater blower doesn't work when COLD! [bertbcfm] by massmusclecar

Nov 13, 2011 (7:36 am)

Replying to: bertbcfm (Nov 12, 2011 5:18 pm)
Thanks for the info. sounds like it is easy to get at the motor. I will take it out and clean it like you and others mentioned. new ones are available at rock auto for 39 bucks so that is dam reasonable.
regards. Kent

#351 of 381 Oil Consumption by a9x2

Nov 24, 2011 (9:42 pm)

Was browsing through the manual and it says you can go 7500miles per oil change. Does anyone wait that long? I go every 3k and even so there is NO oil on the dip stick. I was wandering if it would be okay to prolong oil changes and just add some 10w-30 every now and then...?

Messages Page 36 of 39

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