I have an '03 Tracker that has given me no problems until now. It first started acting up in April, when I drove into my driveway after a 120 mile trip I turned the engine off went into the house for a few minutes and went back out to start the Tracker --- the engine would turnover but would not start so I use my truck. A couple of hours later I tried the Tracker again and it started up with no problem. Between April and now the fequency of the Tracker not starting has increase to the point that I want it fixed. I replaced the spark plugs and fuel filter then the PVC valve with the only change in the engine working is that sometimes it starts but sputters alot and then dies or as I work the foot pedal it might backfire or the engine will keep sputtering and as I work the pedal...the engine finally smooths out and runs find.

I took it to the Dealer and nothing was found in the computer. I took it to my gargage who in turned sent me to a Muffler Shop. There I found that both catalytic converts had to be replaced because it had got so hot that it melted the inside parts and those parts were trying to stop-up the exhaust. After that was fixed I drove it home and the service engine light came on. I took it to my gargage and had to replace the oxygen sensor (it was burned out, too).

That didn't fix the problem. As I was driving down the road a few days later the engine started sputtering and with each sputtering the Tracker was slowing down until I had to pull off the road. I attempted to start the Tracker after waiting 10 to 15 minutes it usually takes before it will start again and the battery went dead. I bought a new Battery and it started right up. So the next part change out was the Fuel Pump and still it doesn't work right. And all this time the Service Engine light only came on once back when the cat. converts were replaced.

My gargage wants me to take it to the Dealer and have the Computer itself checked as well as the cam position sensor. But who really KNOWS! I do need help with this problem. Thank you.

 

Well I got my Tracker back from the Suzuki Service Dept. who told me that the fuel injection unit had "sludge build of carbon" that was causing the problem. It seems that Suzuki recommends a complete de-carbon cleaning every 30,000 miles. I didn't see this in my Chevy's owners manual or I would have had it done. This maintance item costed me allot of time, trouble and money. I hope this can help someone else avoid all this mess.

 

Good Post!

 

Thank you for this posting it most certainly is helpful

 

dsanders,

Did the Service Dept. tell you what method they used to de-carbon the sludge from the injector pump.

If it is required every 30,000 miles hopefully dosn't involve disassembly of injector system.

Thanks Ed.. in Va.

 

UPDATE: When I got my Tracker back, Arkansas had an early Fall. The weather was cooler and the Tracker did indeed run better until this Spring, whentheweatherstarted getting warmer in the 70's, then the engine started acting up again.....So back to researching the problem. Then I came across another websight where a couple of people had simular problem with the engine turning over but not starting and then waiting awhile to let the engine cool and then it started without any problem. One person said that when his engine had stopped and wouldn't start that he got out and pour water over the camshaft positioning sensor and then started the engineright up. This person ended up replacing the camshaft sensor at about $275. The other person said that he had done the same but instead of going out and replacing the senor he instead got some dielectrial grease and place it in the black connector that plugs into the black sensor component of the camshaft senor. He then used a tie to keep the connector tight. So the next time my engine acted up, I poured water over the camshaft sensor and got in and started the engine right up. I did this a couple of times more and it worked. My mechanic did the grease and connector thing too, but he gave me a can of spray oil with that little red tube and told me if it acts up again to spray the black connector and the black component of the camshaft sensor only and then try to start the Tracker. If it does, then replacing that black componet is around $90 and see if it takes care of the problem before replacing the camshaft sensor. ANYWAY at least I feel that I am pointed in the right direction now and will keep you posted. Hope this helps.

 

Well after a couple of weeks and few bottles of water, I have determine its the camshaft positioning sensor. Its to be replaced in the morning. I will post again durning the HOT SUMMER and let you know if my Trackers fixed.

 

Well, here it is a couple of months later with a NEW Camshaft postioning sensor and the Tracker is running just fine, even with 100 degree days here in Arkansas. This solved my problem. Hope it can help someone else.