94 1.8 Liter Eclipse Still Won't Start !! Mechanics are baffled.

Whoops, I didn't finish .

Back in September, I made the posting that follows below. In the meantime, several mechanics have made attempts at trying to resolve my problem, and are still baffled. The only think I haven't done is taken it to the local Mitsubishi Dealer where the car was originally purchased.

It's getting fuel, it's getting spark , compression ok - theoretically it should start. Timing OK as well. Starter good.

Sparkplugs and cables, battery, ECU, and fuel filter have all been changed. All fuses have been checked. Injectors are firing.

The car has 135,000 miles and I've taken very good care of it. I've had a couple of problems in the past w/ rear calipers and the torque converter, but other than that, this car has been pretty good to me. I was hoping to get another year out of the thing, which is why I'm haven't been willing to take it to the Mistu dealer.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate to hear from yah.

Thaks

Joe4 snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net

----------------- Sep '04

I've pretty much baby'd this car, changing the oil as necessary. I've changed the timing belt. Have had several tune-ups, among other things. When I broke down, there was no loud bang. I figured it might be the fuel pump or something electrical. The starter is ok..and the engine cranks, but it just doesn't want to start.

I've done and checked the following:

Checked Fuses Changed Fuel Filter Changed Sparkplugs: Getting Spark Fuel Pressure Test: OK Checked Distributor / Timing / Rotor OK

The next thing I was going to do was give the engine a compression test. After that, I don't know. I don't want to change the ECU unless I have to. I've read about the capacitor issues with those things. Is there any way of checking them ??

ANy suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Joseph ROIV

Sure sounds like an ignition modulator to me...

Ignition

Try re-checking the spark tiiming ? (Check Crankshaft position sensor - if fitted - is it OK? ) Is the spark strong enough - sometimes a spark will show in free air but be too weak when under cylinder pressure.

Fuel

Also try putting a a small amount of gasoline - say 5 ? drops - directly into each cylinder via the spark plug hole, replace plugs and see if she fires for a few seconds ...

On some engines, the cam can be (accidentally) positioned 180 degrees out, when changing the belt. Would the crank sensor known that. And also, because of the type of engine, if 180 out, would the valves crash into the pistons. Just my 2 cents. Are you getting any error codes from the "new" ECU

To check the capacitors, you have to remove the ecu and take the cover off. Take a look at the capacitors for any material that may have oozed out.

You say it's getting fuel. Are you sure fuel is getting in the cylinders or did you just check pressure. You can put a noid light on the injectors to see if they are actually getting signal.

Yes...the answer was THE IGNITION COIL/ part of the distributor on the 1.8. It was getting spark, but not enough. Thanks for all those who responded

JROIV

Whoops, I didn't finish .

Back in September, I made the posting that follows below. In the meantime, several mechanics have made attempts at trying to resolve my problem, and are still baffled. The only think I haven't done is taken it to the local Mitsubishi Dealer where the car was originally purchased.

It's getting fuel, it's getting spark , compression ok - theoretically it should start. Timing OK as well. Starter good.

Sparkplugs and cables, battery, ECU, and fuel filter have all been changed. All fuses have been checked. Injectors are firing.

The car has 135,000 miles and I've taken very good care of it. I've had a couple of problems in the past w/ rear calipers and the torque converter, but other than that, this car has been pretty good to me. I was hoping to get another year out of the thing, which is why I'm haven't been willing to take it to the Mistu dealer.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate to hear from yah.

Thaks

Joe4 snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net

----------------- Sep '04

I've pretty much baby'd this car, changing the oil as necessary. I've changed the timing belt. Have had several tune-ups, among other things. When I broke down, there was no loud bang. I figured it might be the fuel pump or something electrical. The starter is ok..and the engine cranks, but it just doesn't want to start.

I've done and checked the following:

Checked Fuses Changed Fuel Filter Changed Sparkplugs: Getting Spark Fuel Pressure Test: OK Checked Distributor / Timing / Rotor OK

The next thing I was going to do was give the engine a compression test. After that, I don't know. I don't want to change the ECU unless I have to. I've read about the capacitor issues with those things. Is there any way of checking them ??

ANy suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Joseph ROIV

Thanks for the update. It's nice when someone posts up what the actual fix was. :-)