VX Stalls and Dies While Driving

[kelvin]

I would replace the Idle control valve. They are only about $45 and since replacing mine no codes, no idle problems and the VX runs perfectly. Do you know that they pulled the valve out and not only cleaned it but the port it closes against? Also, did they pull the throttle body and clean it thoroughly or did they just shoot some cleaner down the throat?

mine had the exact same problem with the idle shooting up. i had the idle control motor replaced and it's been behaving ever since. but i GOTTA get this 2500rpm thing fixed.... damn.... i dont want to shell out the cash for an FJ if i can get this thing running smooth again....

[Ruflyf]

Kelvin, taking the idle control valve off and cleaning it out real good fixed my problem with 2k+ idle. I also ran a bottle of injector cleaner through the fuel tank, but it was immediately fixed after cleaning the Idle Control valve.

[kelvin]

ok, so here's the update. the skyrocketing rpm issue was a defunct idle conrtol motor. it wasnt strong enough any more to adjust the idle control valve.

The big issue with the motor giving out at 2500rpm has also been fixed. after 3 months driving 62 on the freeway, i found a barely attached ground and tightened it down. fixed the 2500rpm issue, inaccurate temp and fuel gages, jumping/ticking tachometer, engine cutting out when headlights are on.

I can finally enjoy my new engine! (although i think its burning a bit of oil, but the motors waranteed, so i'm not woriried)

now i can install the skid plates that have been sitting in my closet for 12 months because i refused to work on a dead car... now if only i can find that tutorial i saw around here forever ago...

[mrtew]

My VX has stalled while driving twice this week!!! It started fine right afterwards both times though. Scary on the freeway tho. It began with an inability to start the VX on Monday morning without it dying when I took my foot off the pedal and there was a heavy cloud of unburned gasoline smell around the truck after. A couple minutes later it started up fine and I got halfway to work when it died. Then it was fine for a couple days and died again on the way home. I also feel a little stumbling or hiccuping occasionally but half of it is in my mind because I'm so afraid the engine is going to stop again. All the Isusu dealers are gone now here and my VX is so reliable that I don't even have a mechanic. I don't even know where to start. Help!

[etlsport]

do a search for these symptoms, its well documented... the common causes for these problems are fuel pressure issues or intake manifold leaks... based on the fuel smell you reported.. i would guess you are running rich... and dumping too much fuel into the chambers has caused your vx not to be able to combust it and stall... i would start with fuel pressure regulator and generally your fuel system.. sounds like an issue you want to take care of soon because running rich will clog up your catalytic converters (which are 1000+ and many weeks/months of waiting to get apparently) as well as the obvious danger of stalling on the highway.. good luck!

[mrtew]

Thanks. The thing is that it seems more like a computer glitch or something. I only smelled the gas smell that one time when it wouldn't start and the truck runs fine 99% of the time and when it dies it starts right back up and is fine afterwards. Could an actual mechanical problem like a clogged fuel filter or injectors or leaking intake manifold or something cause such a highly intermittent symptom? I'm in the same boat as the other people that don't want to just start replacing expensive parts in a car that's fine almost all the time but just dies out of the blue once or twice. But it is scary.

[IndianaVX]

just throwing this in therre for the high, low rpms..... have you been power washing the engine bay lately? i remember some members having problems with water being trapped in the plugs for sensors. (look for thread by climbcovey) his wiring harness was having issues, but he had hi revs, and engine dieing, and after drying out all the plugs with spray, then using di-electric grease on all plugs, all those troubles went away.

Point two.......etl is right. I wouldnt drive very much, if at all if you are pouring gas down the cats. stock cats ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.. and as i am litterally waiting for mine to be MADE, it is taking a long time to get them. no one....NO ONE has a vehicross cat. converter in the USA. they are being made on order apparently from what isuzu of america customer service is telling me.
hope this helps someone...

david