I have a 1997 Grand vitara V6 2 Litre The check engine light has been coming on intermittently for some time but has been okay.As of yesterday the engine RPM at idle has been very erratic rising and falling until the engine eventually cuts out.Do you have any suggestions. Many Thanks. Phil.

Possibly a bad connection on the Cam Sensor. Clean the two sides of the plug with electrical switch cleaner.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2009+suzuki+grand+vitara+2.0+rev+counter+jumping

Sorry for the delay in answering :>D

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Did you check your oil level? If it is full then there may be air getting into the pump somehow. This happened to me years ago when the pickup tube cracked that went to my oil pump. Could become something that will kill your engine.

if no reciepts timing chain replaced
you will be up for a few hundred dollars

make sure every electrical device works

have it checked over by independent mechanic

if a dual clutch if fitted these have a high failure rate

OBD2 connector location in Suzuki Grand Vitara (1997 - 2005)

www.outilsobdfacile.com/...plug-connector-obd/Suzuki-grand-vitara-2
Easily find where your OBD2 port / connector is located in Suzuki Grand Vitara (1997 - 2005) ... OBD connector location for Suzuki Grand Vitara (1997 - 2005).

Suzuki Engines Diagnostic Connectors

codes.rennacs.com/Petrol-Engine/Japanese-Korean/Suzuki-Engines.php
Suzuki Engines - diagnostic connector locations, with detailed diagrams, text, and pictures of where to find the diagnostic connector in the vehicle.

Take it to autozone they will check your engine light for free and tell you the problem.

Oil change interval for 2 litre engine is 15.000 km or at least once pr. year.

The 1.9-litre diesel engine in the latest version is sourced from Renault and delivers a hefty 221 ft lbs of torque for reassuring operation both on and off road. This power makes the Grand Vitara a far more versatile proposition, with even enough power to pull a small caravan if required.

for further reference read the article :

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/suzuki-grand-vitara-1.9-ddis-1005001.html

I'd be first confirming whether you have a 1.6 litre Grand Vitara (petrol), or a 2 litre turbo diesel. The 2 litre petrol (straight 4 or V6) or 2.5 litre petrol engines are all chain drive.
If your engine is petrol then no lock tool is required (to hold the camshaft). Of course, there is a specific position that an engine should be rotated too before removing the belt from ANY engine.
If it's diesel, then although I'm unfamilar with that particular engine, the general requirement for diesel engines with high pressure injection pumps is "yes, you require a lock tool" to hold the injection pump pulley. As I think these are a common rail set-up, this requirement may not be necessary. Check with your Suzuki Dealer, or maybe someone else here will know more. A similar question may have already been asked and answered here too.

The belt is loose. This is one of the first signs for the belt change.

Take the car to an autoparts store and have them scan the computer for any fault codes stored. The check engine light is to alert you that the computer has noted a fault in one of the car's systems. Getting the codes will show what the computer has noted and curb the need for speculation. Most parts stores will perform the scan for free. Hope this helped and best wishes.