I have a 1998 Sidekick Sport 4x4. It runs fine when warmed up but when the engine is cold (<55F overnight) it won't idle: it just surges a bit, shudders, and stalls. It starts easily and will keep running if you give it throttle and keep it at 1500 rpm or higher. It also throws a code P0717 for "system too lean" and the long term fuel trim is at 14.1% (STFT is 0%).
Here's a short video so you can hear what it sounds like starting. The throttle was not touched during this video.
More details: vin JS3TD21V4W4104601, 4wd, auto, AC, stock except for hitch and tow bar. Carfax says it was purchased in Virginia in 1998, so I assume it's not a California car. I've had it since 2009 and have been getting it smogged here in CA every 2 years without any problems until last April. It wouldn't pass the NO test, until my fav mechanic found & fixed a bad injector, cleaned the rest, and then it passed. BUT that's when this cold start problem started and they couldn't figure it out, but when summer came, problem gone. Now winter is back (San Diego winter) and the problem is back.
If you want to see more, take a peek under the hood, maybe look up here and over there
After doing some searching for P0717 it sounds like it could be vacuum leaks, fuel pump or filter, maf, or injectors. Given that it's 20 years old, I would suspect vacuum leaks but why would it only affect cold starts?
Gary
San Diego, CA
![[Image: Sidekick_left.jpeg]](http://mggm.net/gary/photos/sidekick/Sidekick_left.jpeg)
Here's a short video so you can hear what it sounds like starting. The throttle was not touched during this video.
More details: vin JS3TD21V4W4104601, 4wd, auto, AC, stock except for hitch and tow bar. Carfax says it was purchased in Virginia in 1998, so I assume it's not a California car. I've had it since 2009 and have been getting it smogged here in CA every 2 years without any problems until last April. It wouldn't pass the NO test, until my fav mechanic found & fixed a bad injector, cleaned the rest, and then it passed. BUT that's when this cold start problem started and they couldn't figure it out, but when summer came, problem gone. Now winter is back (San Diego winter) and the problem is back.
If you want to see more, take a peek under the hood, maybe look up here and over there
After doing some searching for P0717 it sounds like it could be vacuum leaks, fuel pump or filter, maf, or injectors. Given that it's 20 years old, I would suspect vacuum leaks but why would it only affect cold starts?
Gary
San Diego, CA