[Jack1991]

I have a 95/96 Vitara (Built may 95) the 2.0 L V6 model and when I put my foot down I lose all power. I can drive it but only by feathering the accelerator very gently. I've changed the fuel filter to no avail. Please help as I don't know a great deal about this.
Tia

[GeckoXL7]

How well does it Idle?

I would check the air intake hoses to the motor from airbox and make sure there all properly sealed. Slightest leak would make the engine stall if push down on the accelerator.

[Jack1991]

Hi Gecko,

She will only idle for about 30-60 seconds then stall automatically.
Engine light is on.
I take it the fuel pump is inside the fuel tank as I have followed the fuuel lines from the filter all the way to the engine and I dont see a pump anywhere.

Thanks again mate, ill go check the air lines now!!

[JrZook]

Jack1991 wrote:

Engine light is on.

Time to pull the codes and see what issue is causing that engine light to be on

[GeckoXL7]

If engine light is on. ill look at other things before fuel pump (which is in the tank)

You can test the fuel system by turning on the car but not starting, fuel pump should hum for 3 seconds if more there may be a leak somewhere.

Sounds like a air leak which would give a engine light. It could be hit and miss and as JRzook says pulling a engine code by jumping a cable will tell your right away what it is.

[Jack1991]

Ok, I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to this kind of stuff. How would I "pull the engine codes"? I assume I will need to take it to a mechanic for that??

Also, from the air box there is only one big solid line that runs into the engine. As far as I can tell there is only a couple of hose clamps I could try to tighten. I ran the engine with the air box off completely and still had the same problem.

[GeckoXL7]

Yeah just make sure all the clamps are tight esp on top of the top of the motor where it can come loose.

Engine codes can be pulled by jumping a cable in the engine bay usually drivers side, the engine light will flash a certain times with represents a code which we can look up. Ill try and find the thread on it.

Here is a picture of points to check. its my car which is different but the engine setup is pretty much the same. sometimes they come loose and tilt up or down letting just enough air to leak in causing all sorts of issues, like refusing to idle, stalling etc.

[GeckoXL7]

Here is some info on reading codes.

http://www.rhinopower.org/diag/cel.html

[Jack1991]

Ok I've had a read of the engine light diagnostics page you have linked. A little confusing but I gather as long as I can find this 6 pin thingy and connect "B" and "D" together I should be able to interperet what code I have?? How do I attach a picture as I don't know if I have the right '6pin' :-/

[GeckoXL7]

To attach a picture you will need to upload it to google or Fb or something then copy the Picture url address.

Under full editor there is a picture option click it and you will get something like {img] Insert pic url here [/img}

usually the diag cable has a black cap on it

[Jack1991]

Omg it worked!!!
I have engine code 34 - Mass Air Flow Sensor ???

What now haha.

Thanks again guys youve been VERY helpful

[GeckoXL7]

Mass air sensor is what sits on your airbox. there would be a big cable pluged in it, unplug it clean it, then plug it back in.

You can also clean the MASS sensor with special spray you can get from Repco, supercheap etc, just need to take the air filter lid and hose off and spary down the hole and let it dry. Connect it all up and hope it works.

[DarkHorse]

MAS is easy, as above it's plugged into the side of your airbox.

MAF is harder, but can also be cleaned, you can buy an aerosol can of specific product, just need to find it, remove it (awkward spot under the intake) and then spray it out.

I'll post a pic later if no-one else does.

Failing that a wrecker will sell you one for around $100.

[GeckoXL7]

^^ Should of said MAF, DUMB ME!

I cant post pic as for me it sits on top of the box, Vit as you made me realise Darkhorse is else where.

Does it unscrew from the box?

(Usually the MAF sensor would get dirt or crud on it causing it to not to work or work efficiantly)

[Jack1991]

There is one very small switch looking thingy that plugs into the side of the air box... It is clean and it makes no difference if its plugged in or not when the engine is running.

Darkhorse - by "under the intake" do you mean before the air box in the side panel on the drivers side or after the air box closer to the engine where the fuel/air mixture is achieved??

[GeckoXL7]

The switch looking thing would be the Air Temprature sensor.

Does your airbox look like this. Trying to find a picture? If it is the MAFF is the box on top with the 3 wire socket

[Jack1991]

I don't see any sign of this MAFF you speak of. Here is a somewhat dodgy pic of my air filter setup..

[GeckoXL7]

Ahh, i think it may be part of the throttle boddy then.

Here is a bad picture off another forrum. The MAF sensor is what looks like someone did some dodgy wireing on.

Can you take a picture of top of motor?

As if it is just a matter of unpluging that cable cleaning the connection with some contact cleaner, plugging it back in if that doesnt work. need to undo the air pipe at top of motor and spray some MAP sensor cleaner into the throttle body inlet.

[Jack1991]

Yes! This is it. Exactly the same. Apparently you can't buy the individual MAF, they want you to buy a whole new throttle body for $600-$1500... CRAZINESS!! Ill try some contact cleaner and this spray you speak of.

The CEL code 34 says its "MAF signal low" .
Should I check voltage??

[GeckoXL7]

MAF signal low could be dirty connection not enough voltage getting through, but also dirty MAF which also wont allow the MAF to produce a high enough voltage.

So it seems to be working just not well. And yeah you can by it seperatly for around $150 from what i can see. People will say anything to get a few extra $$ def no need to replace throttle body gees, just one screw holding the sensor in haha.

[Jack1991]

GeckoXL7 wrote:

just one screw holding the sensor in haha.

Correction - 2 screws hahaha
Cheers mate you've been a huge help!!

[JrZook]

MAF sensor low: Check for any air leaks/broken vacuum hose after the MAF sensor eg the engine side of the MAF before you go replacing the sensor itself

[Jack1991]

Ok so I bought the special sensor spray, soaked it, contact cleaned the switch.

Still same problem.

I dont know a thing about this vacuum hose you speak of??

I suppose ill just wait until I can save up $150 for a new sensor from USA.

[GeckoXL7]

Mainly any hoses attached to throttle body.

[GeckoXL7]

If you can take a close photo of your throttle and ill see if can spot anything out of the ordinary.

I just had intake off etc to give it a good clean, its amazing how much soot and crap can build up in a short period of time.

[atari4x4]

coil packs

[tonyevans]

Jack1991 wrote:

Yes! This is it. Exactly the same. Apparently you can't buy the individual MAF, they want you to buy a whole new throttle body for $600-$1500... CRAZINESS!! Ill try some contact cleaner and this spray you speak of.

The CEL code 34 says its "MAF signal low" .
Should I check voltage??

I got one from Ebay USA for $68 (New) - There are usually heaps listed - New and USED.

[Jack1991]

I have now purchased the new MAF sensor ($80 incl. Shipping eBay) but after replacing it, my engine light has gone off however I'm still having exactly the same problem.... Anyone want a 95 vitara for $500? >=[

[tonyevans]

Have you checked inside the ECU as they are prone to water damage which can cause all sorts of weird effects.

[Jack1991]

I'm a bit of a noob with this.. Where would the ecu be located??
Its a H20A