[headwerkn]

1.... for the fuel gauge to only show about 3/4 full or thereabouts, when the tank is absolutely brimmed? It seems to sit on empty forever too... I did 70km on "empty" and could still only fit 43L into the tank. To be fair, my last car (Ford Laser) had a retarded fuel gauge too....

2.... for the (front) window washer jets to squirt barely 3-4" up the windscreen? The jets don't appear blocked - seems like a weak washer pump.

3.... for only the rear window demister accessory switch to illuminate with the headlights on? I'm talking about the symbol backlighting, not the amber "on" light. The rear wash/wipe button and rear fog lamps don't come on with the headlights... I'm assuming there are dead bulbs in there. Are these things easily repairable and if so, has anyone tried replacing the globes with LEDs (so the exercise only has to be done once!).

4.... for the JX model to have central locking only on the front two doors? Neither rear door lock responds to the fronts.

5.... for the low beams to be absolutely rubbish - and high beams not that much better? I don't know if they're poorly aimed, the bull bar is in the way, or the loss of chroming on the reflectors due to (presumably) water ingress, but they have little reach (5-8m) and given the amount of early morning/nightime driving I do, I will need to figure out how to improve them.

6.... for me to smile broadly every time I gaze upon my Vitara in the work car park, and look forward to knocking off for the afternoon so I can go drive it (even if it is just along the world's most boring highway for 50km)?

Just trying to get a sense for what's "normal" and what needs attention.

Keep zookin'!

Cheers, Ben.

[Ausuki]

sounds normal for a 30yo car to me
I would wire in some relays for your headlights, they probably have some voltage drop robbing you of light

[Rhinoman]

The fuel gauge problem could be a dead spot on the sender but you may be able to change it by removing the needle from the gauge and replacing it in a different position.
Check the voltage on the washer pump and try running it with pipe off to check for blockages.
There are LEDs available, try a search, I'm sure that someone must have done this already.
I haven't got central locking or any rear doors, I'd guess a wiring problem or its an aftermarket set up and they didn't bother with the rears.
If the reflectors are shot then you won't get a decent beam pattern, I'd replace them and fit a set of driving lights wired to the main beam as well.
Always brings a smile when its running well.

[DarkHorse]

Yeah pretty much...

1) Fuel guages are rubbish. Get used to counting km instead.

2) Sounds like washer pump is lazy. They are normally pretty average from what I've seen, but should get at least half way up.

3) I'd guess at blown globes. The switches are fairly easy to pop out once you get in behind the dash. Not sure on LED replacements.

4) Didn't think JXs had central locking at all, so you may have a retro-fit system and the PO didn't bother with the back doors.

5) Yes, normal... although there are degrees of rubbish. Best bet is to upgrade the wiring (royce on here does kits) and buy a decent pair of globes and/or replace the units for some that don't get full of water.

6) Yup. Welcome to the enlightenment

[ZukinLao]

5. I put Royce's kit in my coily and the difference was pretty remarkable. Street lights and such are virtually unheard of here so it gets very dark and the stock wiring wasn't up to the task. Now I've got usable headlights and fantastic high beams with spotties.

[SiKiD_01]

sounds exactly like my 91 LWB vit. and i mean exactly.

fuel gauge. same.

one of my washer jets actually snapped off.
thinking about retro fitting some in the top of the bonnet with a fan pattern.

switches are exactly the same in mine. only the demister symbol lights up with headlights.

JX didn't have central locking as standard, so previous owner may have fitted half a kit or just a 2 door kit as mentioned already.

fork out for some new headlight assemblies, aim them up right, and fit the headlight loom relay upgrade. also do the spotlight wiring at the same time even if you don't have spotlights right now.

i always try to make excuses to go for a drive in the vit.

also check rear main oil seal, as well as the dizzy O ring. these more often than none are leaking or will leak.

have fun.

[headwerkn]

Thanks for the responses fellas.

1. Yeah I run off the trip odo too, but the gauge itself is useful, especially when offroad and using fuel at a higher-than-usual rate. I may look at shifting the needle a little to compensate... I had a 4Runner once upon a time with a similar issue.... it used a similar system where the level is displayed even with the ignition off, and is rather slow to react when the tank is refilled.

As with all newly acquired cars I'm curious if the fuel light actually works or not... can be rather embarrassing driving around waiting for the light to come on and end up with an empty tank instead. I have a filled 5L fuel container with me now so I'll let this next tank go until the light comes on or I stall. I'm hoping for at least 500km of comfortable highway/commute range on a tank, a little over 10L/100km which it seems to be doing currently with 60-odd kilos of tools in the back.

2. Will give it a test tomorrow night. They seem to squirt a bit higher when the car isn't moving, but at speed they barely wet the wiper blades.

3. Cool, will look at them over the next week. I've spent far too much time in my life changing bulbs over, so I'm keen to 'LED' pretty much everything I can on this vehicle. Do it once and hopefully never do it again.

4. It may well be a retro fit... I was kinda surprised it had central locking, as I was under the impression that the JX got bugger all toys, though the LWB did get power steering and mine has air-con as well. I plan on putting in a remote controller for the central locking and will probably put in an extra pair of motors if necessary... I'm going to rip out the rear seats and put in a drawer system, but we'll still need access through the rear doors on a regular basis.

5. I really need to disassemble and clean out the headlamps, figure out where the chrome has been lost and what is just muck sitting in there. That wiring loom kit sounds like a good idea though - how much are we talking here? Do I just PM him to order?

Somewhere along the lines someone has put in driving lights - which I managed to get going again this evening - but the wiring hasn't been done 'right' (don't ask) so when it comes time to sort out a dual battery setup and extra lights I'd be keen to redo things a bit for best performance. For the moment the cheapo driving lights fitted definitely do help, but unfortunately about half of my daily commute is along a rather busy highway where you're generally on your low-beams the entire time.... so getting the most out of them will still be important.

Keep zookin' - Ben.

[atari4x4]

1. = viewtopic.php?f=17&t=4140&hilit=fuel+gauge

and i'm sure there is no light on the 1.6l vitara

[Gwagensteve]

Yep, no light in my 91 jlx cluster.

Steve.

[headwerkn]

Thanks for confirming... obviously waiting for the light to come on would have ended in tears...

[Teracis]

Hahaha was going to let you know there's no light, but also tell you to check the earth from your tank to the chassis etc, if it's anything like the sierra the bloody things end up with a crappy earth through the tank and the sender only goes to half way, add an extra wire to the top of the sender and it works properly!