ECM Burnt

[August Wieneke]

I just bought a 1990 sidekick 2dr 2wd 80k miles on it. I was out this morning putting dry silcone lube spray in the window,  door locks & ect. Well let me cut to the chase. I sprayed some in the ignition  key hole. After i did that i went to start it and it ran for about 1 min. Then it shut off and had a burning smell coming  from near the ECM. Well i tracked it down to the ECM where it burnt a hole through the ECM near the left side of the green plug on the board it was a larger cylindrical capacitor. Im just wondering  if me spraying  that in the ignition  would of burnt it out or was it pure coincidence and its day was coming. I have already  ordered  a refurbished ECM on ebay. In the attached photo you can see the ECM i dont think its salvageable. Please be easy on me im a newb. I do work on my own cars and im so excited  about this little gem.

[fixkick]

yet another bad cap,  most did this already. long ago.

not related to switch lube at all , just luck (timing )

the caps leak out the dry out and the bump (in road ) or you  and the cap explodes or burns to a crisp.

your not alone.


https://fixkick.com/ECU/hell/html/index.html


here is a rogues gallery.

[fixkick]

good luck and good day to you !!!!

[August Wieneke]

good luck and good day to you !!!!

Well im glad im not alone. Im on the sidekick owners group on facebook and Randy Gibbs  told me the same thing. I have already ordered  a new one on ebay. All is good. Thanks for reaching out. ???

[z1joshmon]

I am about to join the ECU capacitor club, myself! I was having a "slight burnt electronics smell" shortly after start up that I thought was a failing speaker but upon instruction and inspection I found to be the ECU Rubicon capacitor (known issue).

I am also a new apostle of Fixkick and, as you said, "a noob but I work on my own car."

I'm telling ya man- with Fixkick's help I have been able to identify problems before they happen- as the car will give you signs beforehand if you're wise to them. I have also been able to fix known issues that were affecting the car and I had no clue at all. These 8v 1.6's are GREAT VEHICLES that just plain WANT TO RUN even with bad parts- but once you fix those bad parts man... the performance increases and you can REALLY enjoy these cars.

That timing is crazy that it would just happen to burn up on your literally while you are working on it!

I also recently got myself a 93 GEM (as you called it, amen!) and there are only 2 things that I think can take this car out- rust or wrecks.

I am just really glad to see that their are other Suzuki enthusiasts who, in 2020, are still buying and fixing these vehicles up and are able to do so thanks to Fixkick and his site giving us everything that we need to keep these vehicles going! :-) I am not alone!

[fixkick]

I am about to join the ECU capacitor club, myself! I was having a "slight burnt electronics smell" shortly after start up that I thought was a failing speaker but upon instruction and inspection I found to be the ECU Rubicon capacitor (known issue).

I am also a new apostle of Fixkick and, as you said, "a noob but I work on my own car."

I'm telling ya man- with Fixkick's help I have been able to identify problems before they happen- as the car will give you signs beforehand if you're wise to them. I have also been able to fix known issues that were affecting the car and I had no clue at all. These 8v 1.6's are GREAT VEHICLES that just plain WANT TO RUN even with bad parts- but once you fix those bad parts man... the performance increases and you can REALLY enjoy these cars.

That timing is crazy that it would just happen to burn up on your literally while you are working on it!

I also recently got myself a 93 GEM (as you called it, amen!) and there are only 2 things that I think can take this car out- rust or wrecks.

I am just really glad to see that their are other Suzuki enthusiasts who, in 2020, are still buying and fixing these vehicles up and are able to do so thanks to Fixkick and his site giving us everything that we need to keep these vehicles going! :-) I am not alone!

these 4wd drive on bad snow and ice very well, 2000 lb car is easy to handle not get stuck easy.
and folks in canada love them for this and if only the foot wells do not rust out , they do nt lose the registration license for car up there at inspection time.

see this
http://www.fixkick.com/videos/AVI/kickin.mp4