ECU Problem

[Xit40]

I have a 98 GSX and I live in New York. The car runs fine, but since NY just started doing OBD II testing for the yearly inspection I have to get the computer plugged in and checked out. The readiness test for the sensors (O2, O2 Heater, EGR, Catalyst, and Evap System) all read not ready. I have taken the car to a Mitsu dealer and they said they couldn't reset the ECU. I have read on the EPA's website that Mitsu's have trouble preforming the OBD II test with the monitors being difficult to set to complete in 96-01 models, which sucks. Anyone one have any ideas? I can use all the help I can get.

 

[Xit40]

Anyone? No one else has had trouble with these crazy OBD II tests? I'm hitting a wall here. Computer throws no codes and the car runs fine, no strange idle, hesitation, gas mileage is good. Correct me if I'm wrong here but if these sensors were not working the computer would throw codes because it's emission related. Also if the computer was bad it definately shouldn't be running without any problems right? Suggestions?

 

[sjgYFZ200]

once again, i'd contact Steve on these forums, an ECU wizard. He really should be made a wiseman...

 

[sjgYFZ200]

Oh and btw, ive never heard of your town, are you downstate?

 

[Xit40]

Just west of Syracuse, graduated from SUNY-Albany. Stop down there quite a bit. How can I get ahold of Steve? Thanx for the direction!

 

[ADrewzki]

If you're just looking to reset the ECU, you can take off the ground on the battery for 15 minutes and then put it back on.

 

[steve]

The problem is that once reset, these ECUs might have a problem resetting the flag that the car has completed the OBDII drive cycle and until that's reset you will fail the test.

Steve

 

[LightningGSX]

This is very common problem.It doesn't mean those sensors have failed in any way.After certain driving conditions are met, usually stop-and-go or highway driving from short to sustained periods of time after vehicle is up to normal temp, these monitors "turn on" and continuously check for proper operation of the corresponding sensors.

I have received dozens of emails about this, and investigated the issue.I have personally tried every combination of known OBDII drive cycles, as well as had many others try different drive cycles, and unfortunately, on some vehicles, the ECU just will not run the I/M monitors.There is a TSB out, that has the Mitsu recommended OBDII drive cycles, but I've heard that doesn't always work either.The only sure fix, is to take your vehicle to the Mitsu dealer right before you go for emission testing, they can force all the I/M readiness monitors to run.The monitors will stay that way until you shut off the key, so make sure you don't shut the car off before you get it tested.It sucks, but then again this is Mitsu we're dealing with here, and what doesn't suck about dealing with Mitsu?

 

[LightningGSX]

I take that back, the TSB is for 96-97 vehicles.The Mitsu recommended drive cycles for the 98 are in the factory service manual.

 

[Xit40]

Thank You all very helpful. I'll let the dealer know when I bring it back to them this week. I've tried the recommended driving cycles so hopefully that might help. The driving cycles are crazy too. I don't know how people could ever do them.

 

[Xit40]

Had to pay Mitsubishi dealer $230 before they figured out it was just the computer having difficulty going thru the readiness checks. I even told the techincian that this was a known problem for the car and to check it out. So I'm screwed because Mitsu has computer problems in their 96-01 models except for the eclipse with the 420A ( motor) in it. No sensors or anything else needed besides the dealer to drive my car around and then charge me for it YaY! Thanx for ur help everyone.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

This is very common problem.It doesn't mean those sensors have failed in any way.After certain driving conditions are met, usually stop-and-go or highway driving from short to sustained periods of time after vehicle is up to normal temp, these monitors "turn on" and continuously check for proper operation of the corresponding sensors.

I have received dozens of emails about this, and investigated the issue.I have personally tried every combination of known OBDII drive cycles, as well as had many others try different drive cycles, and unfortunately, on some vehicles, the ECU just will not run the I/M monitors.There is a TSB out, that has the Mitsu recommended OBDII drive cycles, but I've heard that doesn't always work either.The only sure fix, is to take your vehicle to the Mitsu dealer right before you go for emission testing, they can force all the I/M readiness monitors to run.The monitors will stay that way until you shut off the key, so make sure you don't shut the car off before you get it tested.It sucks, but then again this is Mitsu we're dealing with here, and what doesn't suck about dealing with Mitsu?

i had this same problem a couple years ago after removing the battery for a weekend project a couple days before an inspection (we do readyness checks also) and 3 sensors did not show ready (here no more than 2 can show "not ready", but we have 10 days to return and inspection is free) got drive cycles from dealer...did it and nothing...ended up taking it to dealer to force on as suggested...passed no problem (i knew a guy at dealer who did it for free). have not had the problem since...but now i do not do any projects right before an inspection.


jim

 

[LightningGSX]

Are the readiness monitors the only ECU related thing they check at the emission inspections? I was thinking since ISO9141(ours) is the easiest of the OBDII protocols, a device could be made(rather easily) that would trick the scan tool.You could disconnect the ECU from the diag port just before testing, hook up the device, which would replicate the ISO9141 protocol and send data showing all the monitors have been set, passing the inspection

 

[Xit40]

Yeah they just check the readiness monitors and the check engine light. You also have to pass a safety inspection and a visual inspection of your emissions system. I passed the rest of it no problem just the ECU holding me back. Hopefully I won't have to deal with this again though. I had the drive cycles too out of the service manual I have, but the computer was stuck on the EGR test and needed to be forced and then driven which unfortantly I could not do.

 

[likuidphreon]

Hey, my girlfriend has a '97 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD...she is having the same problem here with it...we are located in Albany, NY. All of the sensors are reading not ready, including the IAC sensor (diagnostic code) but when my mechanic (non-mitsu) connected his OBDII reader and reset the computer...it fixed 2 things...the check engine light which was always on and that sensor error. However it has been 2 days and I took her to get the car reinspected and it will not pass because of the non-readiness state of the sensors. However, the check engine light is still off...good thing! I am really interested in the progress of a "trick" for this damn ECU. She got this car second hand in PA with 38kmi on it so it is in great shape...could eat off the engine (not that I would). So yea...glad to see a post on this...she has 10 days to fix it...I am looking forward to a *cheap* resolution. Since this is an ECU problem there is the federal law of 8yrs or 80kmi...can I argue with the dealer that this should be a warrantied *repair* (the resetting of the ECU)? Thanks

 

[tt281gt]

im having the same dam trouble!!!! i have driving the bia and my scanner shows like 5 things not ready. Do you guys know how much they charge to force the I/M readiness monitors to run??

 

[Game Over]

im having the same dam trouble!!!! i have driving the bia and my scanner shows like 5 things not ready. Do you guys know how much they charge to force the I/M readiness monitors to run??

I'm also wondering how much they will do it for because my brother's '97 and my '97 will have to do the same things in June and July.

 

[tt281gt]

I'm also wondering how much they will do it for because my brother's '97 and my '97 will have to do the same things in June and July.

well since no one has posted Ill let you know later this evening or tomorrow. I will be heading to some local dealerships today.

 

[Game Over]

well since no one has posted Ill let you know later this evening or tomorrow. I will be heading to some local dealerships today.

Thanks man

 

[likuidphreon]

I have heard that this runs around the $125 mark...unless you have a guy on the inside to hook you up.

 

[tt281gt]

went to 2 dealers. damn they are dumb efin people to deal with . All they had to say is drive it. And a diagnose fee is $105 I was like WTF you dont need to diagnose anything im telling you whats wrong! . Ill call more dealers tomorrow. :thumbdown

 

[Xit40]

Mitsu dealer had to force my sensors to run. Also there is a Techinical Service Bulletin for 96 & 97 Mitsubishi's, recall on 96's for sensors setting to incomplete if they were complete when the vehicle was shut off. Make sure the dealer knows about it, or just tell them straight up what the problem is. That's what I had to end up doing they were telling me stupid crap like I might have to replace my computer.....I don't think so. I know it's all stupid bull because these are mandatory EPA Clean Air Act tests that are supposed to be compatible with ALL 1996 + vehicles so Mitsubishi should cover the costs no matter how old the vehicle is since it's their faulty computer system. I'm working on recouping my losses now. We'll see.

 

[likuidphreon]

Yea, so I had my girl go to the Mitsu dealer here in Albany about her '97 Talon. I met up with her to make sure they didn't give her any shit. So about 2 hours later, the technician came out and told her that the reason she is getting those 3+ sensors not ready is because the ISC (or IAC) is bad and it is tied in with emissions, we could order one for $437. (Urge to kill rising ) I said no, thanks anyways, took her to my place and replaced the sensor with a known working one from an older '91 (yes, 91-99 N/A + Turbo ISC's are compatible). Disconnected the battery for 5 min. then I had her drive it for a day then take it back to the dealership for them to run diagnostics on. After she drove it for 40+ miles and took it there, they said the sensors were still not ready and she needed to drive it more. ( Need to kill taking over mind ) Sooooo I have done what they said and it is to no resolve, other than paying for them to spoof the computer into thinking the sensors are ready, does anyone have anything I can use against them to help support the federal law that these emissions related components are under warranty for 80kmi or 8yrs? Thanks.

 

[Bigglesworth87]

Anyone resolve this yet? I am still having problems passing smog due to this crap and this is also using a ECU from a different car. I put the ECU out of a 97 gst and still the same problem. I will probably go to satan today after work and talk to a tech and see what he says about it.


Can we fight to get a recall??

 

[turboTSi1320]

Down here in Pennslyvia we have a waver program to solve that. its called an DRM III super card. most mopar ECUs don't save the readiness tests.