My 1st Jimny

Hi Guys,

I've just purchased my 1st Jimny.
Its a silve 53 plate, done 79k and its on rough country suspension on a 2" lift and on mud tyres...not sure if there are spacers (im about as mechanically minded as a blind newt)
Has a full service history with it too.

I bought it for a run around/backup car as we live very rural and down a 2 mile unmade farm track...which has lots and lots of potholes...some huge!

Ive noticed that sometimes when i start it up it makes a squeak which seems to be from the fan belt but its not all the time. The car has been sat for a while on previous owners drive not doing much...could this be the reason for the squeak? When it does squeak it only last for about minute.

Also the reverse lights dont seem to work - i checked every light when buying apart from it seems the reverse lights!!!...hopefully its just a fuse - where is the fuse box?

Ive read that the some bearings/axles can easily get muck in them, so im concerned that going up and down the farm track will cause muck to cause a problem...is there anything i can do to stop muck getting in places it shouldnt?

Is there anything else at the mileage its done that will need sorting anytime soon?

Any other advice or tips would be gratefully received.

Cheers .

Thanks for your replies.
Are there any upgrades which will stop muck/water getting in?...and when you say the bearings are known to go...how often is this...is it like monthly or more like yearly?

I also think it has been wax oiled...if that makes any difference to what you;ve said above?

The squeak will be one of the auxiliary belts. Either loose or more commonly perished and in need of replacement. Check the condition of the crank pulley while you have the belts off as this is also a common failure.

A common cause for reverse lights not working is the switch on top of the gearbox. Unplug the connector, bridge the wires and see if the lights come on. If so the switch needs replacing. Otherwise the fuse box is under the dash, above your right knee as you sit in the drivers seat.

While it's true that the Jimny wheel bearings are susceptible to dirt and water ingress I'd say it's not something to dwell on. In my experience (50,000 miles over 5 years using high mileage Jimnys as farm vehicles) I've only replaced 1 wheel bearing and 2 sets of king pin bearings. Driving on muddy roads and through shallow water is nothing out of the ordinary, and there is no easy way to improve the service life so just accept that it might be a job that needs doing every 25-30,000 miles.

The only other thing that might crop up on a Jimny of that age is the crank shaft sensor failing. The symptoms are usually on a long run when the car is warmer than normal. The engine will stutter and the rev counter goes a bit crazy. A new sensor is relatively cheap (£40?) and easy to fit.