Top 10 1998 Isuzu Rodeo Questions & Answers

Hope this will help...

I'm assuming its an original alarm or system that came from factory or dealer. When the light blinks is because the alarm is activated. Look underneath the radio the alarm brain might be there. There will be a label on it saying alarm or security system etc. Disconnect the harness to it and try operating your vehicle.

Having worked for an Isuzu dealer I have seen this a lot with aftermarket alternators from places like auto-zone, napa etc. For some reason they will do strange things in these vehicles. The fix was to get a Isuzu alternator. We did have good luck with Beck Arnly alternators also. We also had a local rebuilder repair some with good luck too. If all else fails get a used one.

You can do a compression test, compression should be at least around 128 psi with no more then 20 psi difference between cylinders.

Here is the diagram for your belt routing:

The winter drive button gears the transmission down so that it doesn’t spin when you take off from a dead stop in the snow and ice. It only activates by pressing and holding it when at a stop and then accelerating.

Power is for when you are hauling heavy loads. It holds a higher rpm before shifting to next gear giving you best hauling performance.

P0353 is the DTC (Data Trouble Code) for "Ignition Coil C Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction", and it will require the use of a DVOM (Digital Volt/Ohm Meter) to test the coil, and you will need to check the resistance between the primary and secondary windings and they should be between 1500 and 50000 ohm's, and the resistance between the coil windings and ground should read infinity, but I have yet to see a coil that did not need to be replaced when that DTC pops up, and you should replace that coil, and also check to see if the spark plug is worn out, and if is worn out then replace them all along with any worn out or torn coil boots, a worn out spark plug will cause the coil to work harder and shorten the life of the coil.

The "C" coil is the third coil in the firing order, and if you have the 3.2 liter engine then it should be using a COP (Coil On/Over Plug) design and here is a diagram of the firing order and cylinder layout, and you can see that the "C" coil will be on the #3 cylinder and spark plug. (The second or middle spark plug on the right or passenger side of the engine).




The 2.2 liter engine uses separate coil packs, the "C" coil will be for the #4 cylinder and spark plug, and you should replace that coil pack. Also check the spark plugs for wear and the ignition wires should be replaced if they are over five years old and stock wires will usually have a date on them when they were manufactured and installed.

Yes this is a very common problem on Isuzu's the EGR was most likely Ok. It's the passage that's clogged, good news is it costs nothing to fix, straighten out a clothes hanger, take the air tube right behind the throttle body and unbolt the throttle body. slide it out of the way and look inside engine with flashlight and you will seethe tube clogged with carbon. Now, use throttle body spray cleaner and spray into tube while clening it out with a hanger as well, it's usually the last 1/4" that's clogged. 85% of the time the tube is clogged causing a po 401. Only 15% the EGR valve is bad. have fun and happy motoring!!!!!!!

Fig. Accessory serpentine belt routing-3.2L engines (click for zoom)

I hope this helps, remember to rate and comment this answer; good luck.

Hello
The Engine and Automatic Transmission (not applicable to manual transmissions) in this vehicles drive train are fully electronically controlled by a computer called the PCM and TCM (Power Train Control Module, Transmission Control Module). When a problem like this or other drive-ability related problems occurs the computer stores a record of the problem (there are of course some exceptions to this, like the fuel pump, engine coolant temperature sensor and MAF sensor for instance) in the form of a fault code in its memory, to read these fault codes you must have the systems memory scanned with a special tool. Once the fault code(s) are read you then must perform the appropriate diagnostic testing to find and resolve the problem(s) DO NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS UNTIL A TRAINED TECHNICAIN HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO AVOID SPENDING YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON PARTS THAT MAY NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. Also always check fuel pressure for correct spec for your make and engine type.