I think I just bought a VX!

[PHO2GR4]

Thanks! I appreciate everybody's 2 cents and 4 cents. It all adds up to valuable input! Pretty soon I'll have, like, 62 cents worth of good info!

Good idea about trying to force a CEL. It would suck if my VX died because of a dead bulb!

Oh, and on a side note: we're all site supporters here already, right? It's WELL worth the investment!

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, the Chambers are pricey. Most retail shops want like $220 a pop, and with shipping it can be around a g-ball just for the rims! I do not think you can order direct from American Racing, at least I did not see an option for this on their site.

I bought some diamond plate rubber mats from Kragen and put these up front and took out the Isuzu carpeted mats. They don't fit EXACTLY perfect, but they look good nonetheless.

Bart

[ZEUS]

I admit I merely browsed through this thread... so forgive me if this has been said... Maybe the Check Engine Light bulb has burned out?

[etlsport]

next time you start your vx up watch for the CEL to come on, it should flash on when you first hit the ACC mode then go out after a second or two, if not its probably burned out

dont know if this is true of all vehicles.. but my buddys jeep used to throw a CEL weekly, and it would go out after a few days (intermittent sensor problem) but even when the CEL wasnt on, the code would stay on the computer until it was cleared out by battery disconnect or obdII scanner,

i asked a guy at the local autozone about it and he said that the CEL comes on as a result of a one time problem and the code is stored, after whatever the time period is of the problem not repeating, the light will go out but the code will be there.. makes sense to me kinda

like it was mentioned before, start with a fuel filter, mine was NASTY when i bought my vx with 40k.. run some fuel injector cleaner through.. check your air filter.. its always the small things

[nfpgasmask]

Hey Etl, where is the fuel filter? Is this something that is easily cleaned/replaced?

Bart

next time you start your vx up watch for the CEL to come on, it should flash on when you first hit the ACC mode then go out after a second or two, if not its probably burned out

dont know if this is true of all vehicles.. but my buddys jeep used to throw a CEL weekly, and it would go out after a few days (intermittent sensor problem) but even when the CEL wasnt on, the code would stay on the computer until it was cleared out by battery disconnect or obdII scanner,

i asked a guy at the local autozone about it and he said that the CEL comes on as a result of a one time problem and the code is stored, after whatever the time period is of the problem not repeating, the light will go out but the code will be there.. makes sense to me kinda

like it was mentioned before, start with a fuel filter, mine was NASTY when i bought my vx with 40k.. run some fuel injector cleaner through.. check your air filter.. its always the small things

[etlsport]

yep its very easy, one of the first things i did to my VX

its located on the passenger side about where the back seat would be under the vx just inside the frame rail.. its a cylinder about 4" long maybe 1-1/2" in diameter..

here is how i did it (this was about 6 months ago.. so if i forget something forgive me)

run your fuel tank as low as you dare (i was just under 1/2 tank when i did mine.. but next time will be much lower)
start VX
pull fuel pump fuse.. vx will stall
i disconnected my battery to make sure there was no sparking/exploding
get under vx, locate filter
unbolt filter
once its free, use vice grips (or a friend with pliers) to clamp off both sides of the hose, move clamps onto bare hose (look at new fuel filter to see how far it sticks into the hose) then you can pull the hoses free.. took a lot of effort for mine but it was in really really bad shape

i wasnt thinking straight and assumed gas wouldnt flow out of the tank after relieving pressure.. i was really wrong and got gas all over myself (luckily i was wearing safety glasses) i read that using golf tees is also very effective in plugging the hoses

plug the hoses into the new fuel filter (pay attention to direction, it does matter, i drew an arrow on it before i even got under the VX so i didnt have to look for the small one when i got down there

reclamp hoses

bolt fuel filter back in

replace fuse, reconnect battery

rinse and repeat as needed

[ZEUS]

rinse and repeat as needed

Hehe... I laugh, but I don't think you are kidding!

[nfpgasmask]

Hmmm, sounds like a bit of a chore. What can a dirty fuel filter do? Cause rough running? Poor gas mileage? Etc?

Is there a way I can inspect mine to see if it needs help? Did you replace yours or just clean it?

Bart

yep its very easy, one of the first things i did to my VX

its located on the passenger side about where the back seat would be under the vx just inside the frame rail.. its a cylinder about 4" long maybe 1-1/2" in diameter..

here is how i did it (this was about 6 months ago.. so if i forget something forgive me)

run your fuel tank as low as you dare (i was just under 1/2 tank when i did mine.. but next time will be much lower)
start VX
pull fuel pump fuse.. vx will stall
i disconnected my battery to make sure there was no sparking/exploding
get under vx, locate filter
unbolt filter
once its free, use vice grips (or a friend with pliers) to clamp off both sides of the hose, move clamps onto bare hose (look at new fuel filter to see how far it sticks into the hose) then you can pull the hoses free.. took a lot of effort for mine but it was in really really bad shape

i wasnt thinking straight and assumed gas wouldnt flow out of the tank after relieving pressure.. i was really wrong and got gas all over myself (luckily i was wearing safety glasses) i read that using golf tees is also very effective in plugging the hoses

plug the hoses into the new fuel filter (pay attention to direction, it does matter, i drew an arrow on it before i even got under the VX so i didnt have to look for the small one when i got down there

reclamp hoses

bolt fuel filter back in

replace fuse, reconnect battery

rinse and repeat as needed