Geo Storm Isuzu Impulse Stylus FAQs

Home

Storm/Impulse Performance Parts

Storm Home - Products - Mods - Specs - Research - Blog - History - Links - RTR Policies

Share |

Geo Storm, Isuzu Impulse/Stylus FAQs

Have a question that you can't seem to find about the Storm, Stylus, or Impulse? I hope this page will help you out!
this page is updated all the time...

Engine Related

Q: My car runs fine below 4000RPM, but as soon as I stomp on it, the car immediately starts to bog with no power.
A: when was the last time the Fuel filter was replaced? If the fuel filter is clogged, the engine is most likely getting enough fuel to start up and idle, but not enough fuel to get up in the higher RPMs where fuel requirements are greater. It is recommended that the fuel filter be replaced every 15,000 miles (every 1.5-2 years).

Q: I was driving one day and the car just died on me! What happenned?
A: There are a couple things to check:

You have gas in the tank, right? ;-)
Make sure the plug wires are all connected.
Ignition Module, this is located under the distributor cap. Costs about $30 to replace--they go out all the time.
Check to see if the timing belt snapped-it needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. If it snapped, no worries, the isuzu engines are non-interference so no damage to the head/valves/pistons will take place.

Q: I am driving along and the Brake light and battery light came on at the same time, is that bad?
A: Yes, your alternator is going bad or has a bad connection. Take it to Autozone/Checker and they will check it for free.

Q: Uhh Ohh. I just got a "check engine light (CEL)". What does that mean?
A: If you get a CEL, that usually means that one of the sensors on the engine has signaled the ECM that there is a problem, or potential problem.
On the Geo Storm, Isuzu Impulse/Stylus/IMark RS, You can retrieve these error codes by "shorting" pins 1 and 3 the ALDL connector, it is located on the passenger side of the cabin, behind the kick plate on the right side. The ALDL connector is white and had 3 wires attached to it.

Take a paper clip and insert the ends into the two outside pins (pins one and three).

Turn the ignition key to the Accessory position, but do not start the car.

The gauge console should light up, and your CEL should be on.

Within a couple seconds, the CEL will start blinking the codes; "BLINK, BLINK-BLINK" would be a code 12.

The ECM will blink the code 12 three times, then start spitting out the other codes.
Here is a list of all the codes and their definition:

Code	Fault
12	None
13	Oxygen Sensor Circuit Open/Ground
14	High Coolant Temperature (relative to other measurements)
15	Low Coolant Temperature (relative to other measurements)
21	Throttle Position Sensor Signal Voltage High
22	Throttle Position Sensor Signal Voltage Low
23	Manifold Air Temperature Low (relative)
24	Vehicle Speed Sensor
25	Manifold Air Temperature High (relative)
31	Turbo Wastegate Overboost
32	Exhaust Gas Recirculation Circuit
33	Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor (High voltage / Low vacuum)
34	Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor (Low voltage / High vacuum)
41	Cam Signal Circuit (Hall Effect Sensor)
43	Electronic Spark Control (Knock Sensor Circuit)
44	Oxygen Sensor Circuit (Lean Exhaust)
45	Oxygen Sensor Circuit (Rich Exhaust)

Suspension Related

Q: My car is really bouncy, do I need new springs?
A:No, that is a sign that your springs are still good, but your Struts are blown. You have a couple choices:

Gabriel - A good, low cost strut if you are low on cash. Has stock dampening capability
Monroe - Another good replacement strut with stock dampening capability. Sears sells these!
Factory replacements - If you can afford these, can I have a grant? ;-) Actually, these are KYB struts built for Isuzu. Very nice struts.
KYB GR2 - The best performance related strut. More expensive than the first 2 listed, but well worth the extra cash, IMO.

Since you are replacing Struts, you might as well replace the strut mounts. Any brand will do from what I have seen. The way you can tell if the mounts are bad is by looking at the top of them. if they are all cracked up, or if they are making a CLUNK sound over bumps, they are bad.
It is STRONGLY recomended that you replace the Struts and mounts if you are installing Coilovers. If the struts/mounts are bad, you will be in for one extremely bumpity ride.

Transmission/Axle/CV Related

Q: I looked under the car and noticed grease splattered all over the place in the wheel well and brake/axle. What happenned?
A: The CV boot cracked/tore! Time to get it fixed before all the grease spills out, dirt get in and the joint goes bad. A new boot costs ~$10. You have to remove the axle to replace it, unless you have the cool tools to do it all on the car. If not, it would be a good time to replace the Transmission Output Shaft seals while you are there ($5-$7 each-one per axle)

Q: My Axle/wheel makes a clicking noise whe I make a turn, what is it?

A: This is a sure sign that the CV joint is bad/going bad. It is easier to replace the whole axle than to just replace the joint. It would be a good time to replace the Transmission Output Shaft seals while you are there ($5-$7 each-one per axle)

Q: Ok Smart guy, I replaced the axle like you said and all the manual tranny fluid poured out all over the floor! What do I replace it with?
A: 5w30 motor oil! 80-90 weight oil is used in those really old trannys-not in your Isuzu tranny! (~1.7qts) Use kitty litter to clean up the oil spill. Captain Hazelwood said so! ;-)

Geo Storm isuzu impulse performance parts