[Vitara]

Hey guys,
So I have just picked up my girlfriends 2L (J20) vitara from the mechanics as he has been unable to fix the problem with it and essentially gave up...
When the car is cold, (been sitting for at least 12hrs) it runs terribly, missing and running real rough. The engine light slightly flickers and it will run like this for about a minute. Once warned up a touch it runs beautiful and won't miss a beat, it can be parked for 8 hours or so and run fine, only issues really in the morning. I have changed the plugs and coolant temp sensor. Nothing was logged in the scan tool, The injectors have been leak tested in case fuel was leaking overnight and came up all good. Doesn't appear to be blowing any smoke or steam, its not using any water or pressuring the coolant system hopefully ruling out any head gasket issues.
Starting to maybe think coil packs but don't really want to buy new ones unless I know its them. Thought I would throw a post on here to pick at your brains in case anyone has had similar problems.
Really appreciate any help
Alex

[fordem]

Is the CEL on after the engine starts? What scan tool did you use? I'd say it's unlikely to be a coil pack problem.

[Fatzook]

Didn't Atari have similar issues and was the CAS (Cam angle sensor)?

[atari4x4]

mine was the opposite, fine when cold but would carry on & die once warm. ECU/CMP sensor related issue, it's still looking after my front lawn.

i have 4 coil packs that i could possibly lend you if it comes to that.

[Vitara]

Thanks for the input people, no the CEL only flickers whilst running rough and then turns off. This scan tool was the mechanics, not sure what type it is but it's a fairly busy workshop and is used quite often. Not too sure where to go from here, I have another mechanic with a scan tool that I might get to hook up. Any other ideas?

[Brett]

Using any water?

[Vitara]

Nope none at all

[fordem]

Vitara wrote:

Thanks for the input people, no the CEL only flickers whilst running rough and then turns off. This scan tool was the mechanics, not sure what type it is but it's a fairly busy workshop and is used quite often. Not too sure where to go from here, I have another mechanic with a scan tool that I might get to hook up. Any other ideas?

It's not unusual for the CEL to flicker when the engine is on the verge of stalling, but, even if it goes off after the engine starts, it is still possible for there to be failure codes stored in the internal memory, this is common if there is an intermittent problem. The reason I asked about the scan tool is that there are very few commercially available scan tools that can communicate with the older Suzuki ECUs.