will not start

Cars need four things to start and run. (1) Gas (2) Air (3) and Sparks (4) one to three have to be at the right time and in the right amount/strength. Let's start with simple and cheap things. Your fuel pump and ignition coil (creates sparks) are both protected by fuses. So, basically, check your fuses to start with. Take a look at the articles below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-fuse-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

I am attaching some pictures to show you where the fuse boxes are. The second one ("sidekick 2") is looking at the front of the car, but the fuse box is inside the car, under the dash panel. I wish I had a better image for you, but that is what Suzuki published. It is basically somewhere near the driver's left knee.

Check that and let us know what you find. We will go from there.

i am going to check that out first thing in the morning as it is pretty dark out right now, and i would have a hard time seeing anything, but thank you for your quick response. i will let you know tomorrow if it was the fuses, that would be great if it is. I have one blown fuse.

Change it. Cannot hurt. Do you know Which fuse it is?

well there are four there all different colors, and it is the first one, yellow.

Which fuse panel is this? The one inside by your left knee or under the hood? Either way I would change it. Should not cost more than a couple of bucks from AutoZone or whatever you have near you. Just pull the one you have and take it there to match it up with a replacement.

the one under the hood by the battery like the articles you had me read, was those not the right ones?? do you want me to check the fuses inside the car?? So lets go to the ignition coil. Lol

Oh sorry I thought you checked all of the fuses. Definitely check them all. Even the ones inside the car. Replace any blown ones too

well we are but just in case while i'm at the parts store today i'm gonna price them and just need to know a little about it, cause I know my luck and it's probably not going to be the fuses, i'm hoping though, i didn't know an inside the car fuse could make it that the car wouldn't start, huh, glad i'm getting all this infor from you, thank you so much

Yeah I don't have the information in front of me but there's probably a fuse for the ECM (computer) in there. It controls fuel injectors and sometimes the sparks

checked all fuses in the jeep and under the hood, they are all good to go

Ok so since you checked all the fuses and replaced the blown one and it's still not starting, it's time to check for sparks and fuel. You can either (1) get a spark tester (cost about $15) and check that each cylinder is getting fire or (2) spray some starting fluid ($3 at the local auto parts shop) into the air intake and crank it. If it fires, then you have sparks and no fuel.

Spark tester that I use: https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-20610-Inline-Spark-Tester/dp/B0002STSC6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501325755&sr=8-3&keywords=spark+tester

If there are no sparks on any cylinder, then the most likely cause would be the coil. Confirm by hooking your spark tester up between the coil and the distributor and turn the key to see if there's any fire there. Does that make sense to you?

If the problem is fuel related, then we could be looking at a bad fuel pump or totally clogged filter (I doubt it's the filter but possible). There are tests for that as well. See this guide: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator A pressure gauge can be borrowed from Auto Zone with a deposit. Your pump should put out between 36 and 42 psi with the engine off and key on.

So, let us know.

i'll let you know, thank you

well i'm having trouble getting people to get me to the part store and help me out with all of this, but i'm trying guys believe me i'm trying i need to get this thing running,

Been there before. The good news is since this a forum on the web, we're in no particular rush here, so I can wait.

thank you

You are welcome, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers, Ken

well i'm back guys, lol we are now down to the fuel pump, and some friends want me to check the fuel line, i don't know where that is, or my pump as my book shows way to many places it could be, do you know??? Hello guys are you there lol

Yep sorry, the fuel pump is in the tank, Here is a guide and some diagrams (below) to help you get the job done.

You will need to jack the car up safely first.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Here is what you are in for when doing the fuel pump

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

I'm not sure what book you're looking in, but your car has the fuel pump in the tank, just like 99% of cars out there. Personally, before dropping the tank, I'd have someone turn the key on and while I listen to the pump so I can tell if it's at least trying to run. If it comes on then you should check the fuel pressure, as I outlined earlier. If you've already checked the pressure and it's low, then drop the tank and replace the pump.

Being that you drove the car home and it was fine then, I highly doubt that you have a fuel line problem. But it's never a bad idea to take a brief look for obvious problems (namely a kink in the line). It's also a good idea to put a new fuel filter on, since you're going to be under the car anyway.

Using the diagrams and such that Ken laid out above, you should have all of the info that you need. Of course feel free to come back on here if you need anything else. Let us know how it goes.

well I'd rather not have to put out a lot of money ya know, so I don't have those pressure readers and stuff, is there someway to check if the fuel pump is bad without having to take it out, cause wow that is a lot for little old me, and I have no jack which I can borrow but i'm doing all of this myself, i'm not 18 yrs old, i'm a 52 yr old woman with disabilities and wow taking that out is a lot, it cranks over and sounds like it is going to start right up, it just doesn't start, I don't have the money to buy a lot of different parts so am trying everything I can to pin point the problem before I go spend my monthly money ya know, getting a bit stressed out, I know I can do it though. Just getting frustrated at what is wrong with the stupid thing. lol

Right. That's why I suggested borrowing the pressure tester from auto zone. Yes, you'd put a deposit down, but you would get every penny of it back when you return it. It's really the only way to check the pump reliably. Any other method is just guessing. And you could do it without touching the tank

i'll do that first thing I can get a ride, ty for being so patient with me on this matter. I really do appreciate all your help.

No problem

hi guys, i'm back had other things to take care of, anyway you had put a link on here for me on how to use the pressure gauge and stuff to check my fuel pump, the link you sent says page not found?? wondering if you can send me something so i know what i'm doing would like to go get the gauge today or in the am if i could, thanks for all your help

I fixed the link sorry about that.

Here it is https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

You will need to do an in line tap but the fuel pressure test kit should have the adapter you need.

thank you, i went to go rent/loan one and it has to wait till payday but on the link you sent on steps 6-7-8, it's says with the car running, Ummmm, my car is not running won't start, so don't understand what to do there ?

Just turn the key to the on position and the pump should run enough to build pressure.

very cool, i'll be in touch around the first week of oct and i'll let you know how this lady is doing with it lol

Good to see you doing the repair, everyone that drive should know how to work on their car :)

thank you ken, that makes me feel good, and I agree.

I'm with Ken on that last statement. Basic mechanics should be a part of the license test. If nothing else, you should be able to put the spare tire on, check your oil and other fluid levels, and know how to check fuses. But if we required all that, then 90% of drivers currently on the road wouldn't be able to keep their licenses.

that's funny lol

Hi guys, I just wanted to give you an update. My sidekick is up and running thanks to you guys and your help, it was indeed the fuel pump, the very last thing on the list you gave me to check, and of course the most expensive. But the point is that I did it all by myself, starting with trying to find out what's wrong to finally finding out to having a friend come over and not do it for me but help me take the old one out and the new pump in, while my dad taught me the basics of cars, and if I have a manuel I can pretty much do anything, but I had nothing until you guys. So thank you so so much and appreciate all your help could not of done it without you guys, and thanks for your patience with me.
Carrie

Hey Carrie that's great to hear! We're very glad to have helped you out here. Fuel pumps are very common among just about every car, and usually a total pain to replace. I'm glad that you stuck with it and did it yourself. It's a very satisfying feeling when you take on something like that and get it done, saving fistfuls of cash. Please feel free to come back to this forum in the future, we'll be here ready to help as much as we can.