I got a 89 Sidekick, 4x4 automatic.  I been fishing and hunting out of it for 6 months or so. Last Week the Check engine light came on.  I tried to disconnect the battery, jumper wire the terminal block to read codes, and removed fuses , all suggested by service manual.  Nothing worked. Light still on.  Its a 1.6 efi with 140,000 miles.  Runs great, but sometimes idles very rough.  Any ideas on correcting these problems?  I'm new to Suki terms and techs, but I got good mechanical sense and can do most repairs myself. HELP!!

Did ya try to remove your left front speaker and bump the switch behind it?

Thanks, I will give that a try right now.

Does that model actually have on-board diagnostics (OBD)? I think it's probably not OBD II compliant, but if it has the socket for a reader, you might be able to get someone from AutoZone or a similar place to read the code for you. My parents' Sidekick had a way to read the code by pressing something and noting the pattern of lights it gave. Did your manual say that your procedure actually resulted in a readable light pattern? Or does it just say that the procedure will clear the code?

I thought OBDII started '96 model year?  I could be wrong though

I thought OBDII started '96 model year?  I could be wrong though

You're right, Hamster.  Thus, auto parts stores can't read codes on pre'96 models.

I got a 89 Sidekick, 4x4 automatic.  I been fishing and hunting out of it for 6 months or so. Last Week the Check engine light came on.  I tried to disconnect the battery, jumper wire the terminal block to read codes, and removed fuses , all suggested by service manual.  Nothing worked. Light still on.  Its a 1.6 efi with 140,000 miles.  Runs great, but sometimes idles very rough.  Any ideas on correcting these problems?  I'm new to Suki terms and techs, but I got good mechanical sense and can do most repairs myself. HELP!!

You can jumper a wire over two sockets in the plug next to your battery  (forgot which color wires) to have your check engine light blink out the codes.

Then hop on line and get the codes definitions.

Don't know what you tried to get 'nothing worked'... but have you tripped the switch behind the speaker to reset it?

What does the switch look like behind the speaker, I didn't see anything yesterday when I looked.

Sammy-Hammy, I think OBDII did start around '96 - in fact it might have been one year later. I just wasn't sure whether there might have been a previous standard for computer readouts. In any event, my parents' old 'Kick had a way to read out the code in blinking lights. I think the Haynes manual told how to do it. Sorry I can't help more, since we got rid of that one a while ago.

Mopar rides used to allow you to cycle the ignition switch to get a morse code type blink on the odometer.

Not too sure if zuke will do that, I am kinda thinking you need a scantool to get the codes.

What is name or make of scan tool I could buy and who carries them?

It might be hard to find a scan tool other than OBD II. You might try www.toolsource.com. I think they have various types of scan tools. I am not sure whether the "Chevrolet" Tracker needs the same type as the Suzuki Sidekick, but you might check that.

You can "flash codes" on that rig, but if no codes flash that normally means it's time to reset the maint. switch. Its normally located on the back of the left ft. speaker.

              see ya,
                    Kevin

Finally got the codes to flash.  Found the problem and the reset switch.  Thanks all for the advice and help.  Will have more questions soon.

Hey there Rifle, Where did you find your switch,
I've hunted for mine with no luck, my Check
Engine Light has been on for Da... Wee.. Mon... Years  :-/