I have been having this problem with my Rodeo: "98 Rodeo Wont Start - Fuel Pump Dead?"


Had the Rodeo towed to a good mechanic I know today. Says it sure sounds like the fuel pump, but he wont know for sure for a day or so. He then starts calling around to look for an Isuzu fuel pump and after several calls he finally locates one. FOR $250!!!

I have had this Rodeo for less than 10 months and it currently sits at 91k miles and has already had the starter, alternator, and fuel pump go out in less than 10 months. I cant afford this kind of upkeep on a vehicle less than 6 years old. It is insanse that it breaks down this often and I haven't even hit 100k yet.

I am now really considering just cutting my losses and buying an older honda or toyota. I mean my dads 96 toyota t100 is at 125k and it hasnt been in the broke down a single time. My friend has a 97 4Runner Limited at 170k and he drives that thing harder than I have ever seen anyone drive an SUV in my life. Its sickening really, but that 4Runner has not had one problem in its entire 170,000 miles!

Really I can understand a couple of minor quabbles while approaching 100k in a non-toyota/honda vehicle. But really now - its not only the starter/alt/fuel pump but also the intermittent stalling that happens when you start it after its warm and the horribly bouncy ride that it has (worse than my other friends 98 4Runner with a 3" Lift) and the high speed steering shimmy, and the weird clicking noise coming from the tranny, ect.

Maybe Im just frustrated, but Im now really considering maybe selling and getting a 95ish 4Runner/Pathfinder/or Jeep.

Please tell me what you think about these reliability issues.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

I've got the 93 Amigo that just won't die. No major problems yet, one clutch, one set of brakes, just put on the 3rd set of tires. 162k.

Many posts on this if you search. There's always some bad luck out there. THink of it another way; you've replaced some of the worst two--starter and alternator.

Good luck.

Theres not much to say about this except Sh*t happens.

Me personally have never seen anything as stout as my rodeo. I mean, ive treated it like a sand rail at the dunes, and ive got 228000 miles and running strong. Things do wear out, some faster than others. Ive heard we have bad starters, but my starter still works and i swear it looks like its going to rust threw.

Yesterday i seen a newer ford truck with its hood open and smoke coming out. My buddy had a chevy silverodo with 128000 miles on it, and i swear as nice as it was i would of ran it into a wall with all the problems he had. He wanted to hit a cliff but i said he might want to retrieve it.

So now since you replaced them, isnt it a good feeling that you know those wont give out again?(especially if it is from isuzu)

things wear out, especially if it isnt maintained. Nobody can build a perfect car. Best thing to do is get a new car with a warranty.

sorry you are having so many problems.

have faith buddy we are here to help
kevan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

some vehicles are just going to be like that. You could fix it and it will run like a top for 5 years or something could go wrong next week.
Fuel pump isn't hard. If you do some of this work yourself you'll save some money.
1st owner has a lot to do with it as well. You never know how neglected or abused a vehicle may have been.. But once you figure out that vehicles are not investments but rather depreciating assets you'll be good to go.
I'm sure a lot of people here feel your pain.

If you want a Honda I'm sure someone with a Passport will trade badges with you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
--jeremy

You friend probably have had this 4Runner from the
beginning. This is the point. You never know what
history the vehicle had unless you bought it new.
Otherwise, your complains are not valid becouse
nobody can say what kind of maintenance the vehicle had.

There are plenty of 95-ish 4Runners, Pathfinders and Jeeps with the same if not more problems. Your Rodeo is six years old. If you had owned it since it was new and had to replace an alternator and starter after five or so years would you still be questioning it's reliability?

My A/C's been whining since May with approx 80K (use A/C summers only, naturally).
My rear wiper has been dead since last winter.
My heater blower is dying fast.

That's the only real thing that's wrong with my 2000 Honda P'port. Battery still good. Brakes look new. Burns oil, but no black smoke. Lights all work.
Reliable, yes. PITA, yes. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> I got used to it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

As far as cost of parts go, you may be better buying replacement parts from a "Genuine Honda Parts" dealer (comparison shopping is key).

My spare tire crank pulley went and I had to replace it. Cost from Isuzu dealer = $147, cost from Honda dealer = $119.

If you want new dealer parts, consider Honda (or St. Charles, if you want to pay shipping).

Just a clarification - St. Charles only charges shipping if you want the item overnight.

I have over 216,000 miles on my '95 Trooper and it's awesome.

I had many of the same problems you are having, and at about the same mileage. What I did was to change stealerships, and I found the problem went away after that. The last thing I had done was the starter replaced at 92K, and other than routine maintenance I haven't touched it since. Before you give up on it, take it somewhere else and have them look at it. It sounds like you're there already, did you just start taking it to them, or has it always been going to them?

dude, it's a good vehicle, other than having a gm made engine, no offense, but other than the balls to the wall power the thing puts out, i'm not fond of my mom's '02 roedo's 3.2, it's just squirrely, but dude like JEEPN said, it sounds like you've done most of the stuff, my starter has gone bad, my trusty mechanic put in a high performance one in there instead, problem solved and i can trust him to fix it if it breaks, other than that, i just make sure i stay up on maintenance, i think i'm gonna invest in a new higher output alternator when the next large sum of money comes in, but dude you're coming up on the 100k mark, things are gonna have to be replaced, but hold on to your 'Zu things are gonna break, i went through this too, wonderin if it was worth it, then i realized everything has its prblems and my zu is in GREAT shape, runs like a champ, and for a '97 that's rare and i attribute that to Isuzu and stayin up on oil changes and what not, keep your chin up man, besides aren't you waitin on your lift?
i thought we were gonna put that sucker in?!?!?!