Hello all,
Sorry to revive an old thread, but then again like the Isuzus in question - they never see to actually die!
Anyhow, my 1995 Bighorn is doing the EXACT same thing. It's a Japan import/LHD converted, just purchased 6 weeks ago, and we expected a few wrenches now and again, but after digging into this one, it needs more than just a few wrenches. Things got re-arranged in the conversion, some wires have chaffed through to nothing, little bits & bobs seem to stop working now and again...
One problem is availability of good shops & parts. I'm a Canadian over here in the Philippines for a while, unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your point of view), we are not in Manila or on the same island as Manila. There's lots of help, stores and sources in Manila, but we are out here in the boonies. It's a 3 hr drive to get to a reasonable sized city to buy anything.
About 2 weeks ago, we started having troubles with a dead battery. This is (as I know now) is attributed to a loose alternator belt. I'll get to that this weekend. However the starting is acting up. Some days it will not start to save it's soul, but hook up a spare battery and jump it and it will start (seems to turn a little slow). Took it up to the mechanics last weekend but then he says he'll need the car for a couple days as he's backed up. But the truck is full of groceries and 3 kids, can't leave it today. I'll get someone to run it up tomorrow (it's a 3 hr drive to the mechanic). Next morning - nothing out of the starter. Not a peep or squeek, tried to jumper it - no luck.
So, working through everything I can find, is it the starter or the relay. When I try to start the truck (trying the multimeter hooked up to either lead on the solenoid) there's no voltage at the solenoid when we crank it. You hear the relay click but nothing more.
I thought, maybe it's the tranny inhibitor, but if I try starting it in gear, it doesn't even click. In Park or neutral (it's an AT) the relay clicks, in gear nothing clicks - so that's a good sign.
For the rest, I'm going to give the relay a try, but does anyone know or did you @damo667 ever figure out which relay is which (the 3 ganged together right behind the engine bay fuse box)?
Cheers and thanks for any advice from anyone.
MadDogDean