Sereous DSM Problems...

[AquariumPerson]

Hrmm, well I have a 1GA Mitsu Eclipse GS 1990 Manuel not turbocharged. Recently, when I try to start it, ... well let me do it this way.

I tried to start it just to see how it was running. (I dont drive it but 1 time a week mabe)

It ran for like 1 sec. then died. I tried again. It ran for like 5 seconds, but the rpms JERKED up and down between 500 and 1000 rpm's and there was a clicking noise under the shift nob evertime this happened. Also the check engine light was on. Then it died. I started it again, did the sime thing, idled for 10 secs, then died. I started it a 4th time and it did this for around 15 seconds, then the idle speed was even at 1000 and the check engine light went away. What could cause this? Last time i messed with the car i fixed the idle speed to 750 and found the throttle cable was too tight. But now i start the car and it idles at 1000. Something is wrong...


Any ideas? This car keeps having probs...

Thanks

 

[92awddsm]

Remove the ecu, remove the cover from it, and check for leaking capacitors. The clicking under the dash is a good sign of ecu problems.

http://www.tmo.com/howto/ecu1g/caps.htm

If that link doesnt work, go here and click on electrical. The top link on that page, "ecu capacitor replacement", gives instructions on what to look for.

 

[AquariumPerson]

well, I can't find the "ecu capasitor replacement" article, could you give a link directly to it? Thanks.

edit: nevermind i found it

 

[AquariumPerson]

darn, that is the problem. good thing my dad does electrical stuff where he works, so he can install the capasitors

but... where is this ecu located? thanks

 

[AquariumPerson]

Uhh Ohh...

when i click on those buttons that bring you to the page where you can buy the capasitors.......it says "page can not be displayed"

what do i do now???

 

[femmeDSM]

I believe these might be what you are looking for. Scroll down the page, there's a link to buy the needed capacitors.

http://www.tmo.com/howto/ecu1g/caps.htm

OR, you could just send the ECU to Steve. He's awesome. Here's his URL:
http://simon.chi.il.us/~steve/Auto/DSM/ECURepair.html

Good luck.

 

[femmeDSM]

Also, I should mention that just replacing the capacitors may or may not solve your problem. When the capacitors leak, they usually damage the board at least a little bit. Sometimes if you catch the problem early enough, you can get by with just replacing the caps, but usually if you've already noticed performance problems with the car, it's too late and the board has to be repaired. In this case, I would highly recommend having Steve work his magic

 

[AquariumPerson]

ok i think im gonna just ship the thing to this steve guy...but can someone show a pic where the ecu is located in the engine? Thanks

 

[Quasimondo]

ECU is located behind the radio. Remove the kick panels for the center console to get to the four bolts that hold it in place.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[AquariumPerson]

ok kool thanks

 

[AquariumPerson]

ok, I have removed the 2 kick panels... i beleive i see the ecu box. But.. How do I get to it and remove it??? There are a lot of bolts down in that area...


Thanks.

 

[oldman]

ok, I have removed the 2 kick panels... i beleive i see the ecu box. But.. How do I get to it and remove it??? There are a lot of bolts down in that area...


Thanks.

Come on now, brain cells need to exercise as well you know , it can't be that hard to figure out.

 

[oldman]

BTW, how are you so sure it's the ECU if you have not removed it for inspection yet?

darn, that is the problem. good thing my dad does electrical stuff where he works, so he can install the capasitors

I would have thought from this statement that the ECU was already out and inspected.

 

[92awddsm]

ok, I have removed the 2 kick panels... i beleive i see the ecu box. But.. How do I get to it and remove it??? There are a lot of bolts down in that area...


Thanks.

You need to go to www.vfaq.com and start researching. Here is the instructions a small search would have given you. http://www.tmo.com/howto/ecu1g/checkeprom.htm

 

[AquariumPerson]

well thanks guys for your help i finally did get the ecu out....I am not sure what damage looks like really but it kinda looks like there is a little brown stuff by the bottom of one of the capasitors..

 

[AquariumPerson]

my dad installed the capasitors for me and he got them from where he works, even after the new ones were installed and the ecu hooked back the problem still occurs...

 

[Defiant]

You jumped cam timing.

 

[AquariumPerson]

How do I fix that problem then? Thanks

 

[dsmotorsports]

Just because you replaced the caps, don't mean it will fix this problem, why don't you go and find a friend who will let you borrow a ecu and se if it fixes your problem.

 

[dsmotorsports]

See, the clicking is the fuel pump relay and it will click if the ecu is not sending enuf volts to close the relay, and the reason is the caps are bad, but replacing the caps might fix the problem, but for the most part, there is usually more bad than just the caps. I can tell you this, if you heard the clicking it is not a TIMING ISSUE.

 

[Quasimondo]

If it's still clicking, that means the capacitors leaked enough to damage the board. Either get the board repaired or replace the ecu.

 

[will90Eclipse]

I used to have that clicking problem, check your EFI relay its the box next to the ecu. I had to order a new one it cost like $70 bucks. Hope that helps
Will

 

[AquariumPerson]

well I did'nt want to update this thread because it seemed like a dying thread but anyways...

update the problem seemed to have fixed itself. It just stopped occuring, and the car starts and runs fine. I dunno what happened, it just stopped having problems. Thanks for the help tho guys