I got them DSM blues...

[PhoenixRPR]

I have a 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX. I don't have the knowledge and time to troubleshoot this problem hands-on, but I'm trying to win the battle of knowledge as best I can. Currently, the car is in a local shop. The mechanics there know your typical basics, but are not dsm-specific, so any verbal assistance I can provide is greatly appreciated. I have one of those problems that could be caused by numerous things and its expensive to pick off possibilities one by one, but I guess I don't have a choice other than selling the car (which I won't do). Now the problem:

When the car is first started up that day, it runs fine for a limited time. Once I shut the car off (to grab lunch or soemthing) and then start it up again, the problem shows up. Within the first 10 miles of driving once again that same day, I get a check engine light (code 41:Injector Circuit) and the car begins to jerk hard as I accelerate and there's a serious loss of power. Strangely enough, sometimes, mid-acceleration, the problem is occuring and then out of nowhere the problem goes away and the car surges ahead full power. The worst part of this problem is that it also makes the car die as I come to a stop. When this problem is in full affect, and I roll to a stoplight or what have you, the car won't idle (just dies). Then when I try to start it up again, it just cranks and cranks, but won't kick over. Only after 3-4 mins of pumping the gas and cranking will it finally turn over, only to die again at the next stop. This entire problem goes away though if I let the car sit for a day. Then it comes back once I start my daily driving routine again. Please provide feedback.

 

[pinknuggit]

ecu? has the mechanic replaced yours?

 

[PhoenixRPR]

The mechnic looked up the code 41 in his computer for my specific car and the first thing on the list of "to-do" was replace the control relay next to the computer. We ordered that from Mitsu ($80.00) and still waiting on it. I doubt it will fix the problem, but he said that relay deals with the fuel injection circuit. He says we'll have to try another ECU if this relay doesn't fix the problem.

 

[SpoolnTsi]

Did you check the actual injectors themselves? The connectors that actually clip onto the injectors? Over time they become very brittle do to the excessive heat and cold changes which makes them very easy to crack or break. If they are cracked or broke in anyway, as long as they are loose enough, there is a very good chance for the vibration from the car to disrupt the contact between the connectors and the injectors themselves. It will pull the injector circuit code. I had the same thing happen to me after installing new injectors. The relay also, could very well be the problem which i hope it is now that your paying for it. Just something to look into

 

[steve]

Great another "mechanic" who can't trouble shoot a problem and just swaps expensive parts hoping to fix the problem he doesn't understand.

Yes the injectors get power off the MPI relay but so do alot of other things that would have thrown a CEL and none of them did. His computer should have said test the operation of the MPI relay and replace if failing.

The first thing he should be checking is the injectors making sure they don't go bad once they heat up. In the process he should be looking at the wiring harness between the injectors and the ECU and the powe feed throught the resistor pack. If all that checks out he should be looking at the ECU.

Maybe it's time to find a different mechanic before this one empties your wallet.

Steve

 

[PhoenixRPR]

Well the mechanic was pretty awesome. He found the problem. The pigtail connectors for 2 of the injectors were brittle and broken. After that, he found that injector #1 was intermittenly firing with a test probe. After replacing the injector relay, injector connectors, and 1 injector, the car runs great.