Got an H3 today, got screwed today.

[zco]

Hey everyone. I picked up a 2006 H3 today with 144K miles from a private party. Guy lied about everything. It drove decent on the short test drive and he drove it to a shopping center a little closer to my house. We parted ways, and since the TPMS light was on and there was a Discount Tire in the shopping center, I decided to take it there for an air check before heading home. Well this time it drove differently. When I was turning out of the parking spot, it started skipping -- doing some research, sounds like maybe the plastic fork inside the diff? So waiting in the air check line, I start looking through the H3 more and I find an ODB scanner in the arm rest. Score, free ODB scanner, but ultimately I knew what that meant, he was clearing codes. So after air, I took it to Autozone which was right next door to get a scan. Came back with P0203: Injector 3 Control Circuit, and C0268: ABS Pump Motor Circuit Shorted. Still it seemed to run ok besides the skipping of the diff when turning... Until I got gas. Right after filling up, the Hummer immediately started running rough, CEL came on, Traction Control Light came one, and Stability Off warning in the dashboard.

So basically I know there is nothing I can do for recourse other than try to fix the issues. I kind of feel like if I can get it running right for under 2K I am still in OK shape on the deal over all besides some deflated ego.

I guess question is, should I take it to a shop, or are these issues common and fixable. I wouldn't feel comfortable tearing into the diff, so it will probably have to go in for that regardless. Anyone know approx cost on that? I looked up the ABS pump and those look around $300, and if I get lucky and P0203 is just an injector, that shouldn't be too bad.

Anyways, hope to hear back from some of you and hope to still be around with a decent H3! It truly is a nice car, the interior and exterior are great and everything looks good in the chassis and engine bay.

Thanks - Z

 

[cgalpha08]

For the electrical issues, check your battery terminal. Stock h3 battery terminals can lead to electrical gremlins. Make sure they're tight and making good contact or swap them out for aftermarket ones. Clear the codes and see if they come back. Of course this only works if that's the actual issue lol however it's a cheap check/fix.

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[deserth3]

Traction control message could be caused by one of the 4wd buttons on the dash staying stuck in after being pushed.


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[alrock]

A front diff rebuild on an 06 H3 (no front locker) could be a few hundred for parts and a couple hundred at least on labor, if not more. If you can drop the diff yourself and take it to the shop, you’ll save a lot of money.

Also, consider taking out the front prop shaft, putting it in 4 high lock (engine off but ignition on, press button) and see if diff still locks up. I think it’s more likely a diff issue but it could be a t-case issue from a stuck button (like DesertH3 said) or a worn shift fork and it’s stuck in the wrong mode.

And definitely upgrade those battery terminals especially if they look stock and original.


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[H3Hummer]

Welcome to H4O, i think that deserth3 and alrock have already tell you most of issues possible. If it's the T-cas shift fork it's not a big deal to DIY if you have a bit of knowledge. You will find the aluminum shift fork for the T case easy. And yes , go and cut off those old battery terminals and put some better new ones on, that solves most of Gremlins and malfunction problems too.
I think you will find all answers to your questions here :hi: