The Top DSM Community on the Web

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. Log in to remove most ads.

Please Support Rix Racing
Please Support Fuel Injector Clinic

Was running fine, now misfiring/no power/dead battery. Alternator?

This site may earn a commission from merchant
affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

2literbeatsV8

10+ Year Contributor
36
0
Feb 24, 2011
Kentwood, Michigan
I've searched through the threads and I can't seem to find someone who is having the same problem as me (or their wording just doesn't seem to describe my situation exactly). Had a timing belt break over a month ago, finally got my cylinder head back a week or so ago and put everything back together. I might add I did this on a lift at the dealership that I detail for (seriously, coolest service manager ever!) under the supervision of multiple techs, including a certified Mitsu tech. It started and ran, albeit very rich (fuel trim was around -15%) and all was hunky dory. Drove it nice and gently for around 200 miles, and parked it last night thinking everything was fine. Got in to drive it this morning, and it was misfiring like crazy, like it either had no compression or didn't have enough voltage to the spark plugs. Tried to drive it around the apartment parking lot and it stalled itself out at least 4 times, barely making it back to my parking spot before dying entirely. No lights on the dash, no radio, no power to anything. Has my alternator kicked the bucket? Or should I be looking for ground issues or replacing my battery?
 
:/ Hmm,
Usually when the alt goes out it throws out 3 lights (battery , temp, brake I think cant remember)
If the volt regulator goes out, your car can still run just will over charge the batter, dont think thats the issue either.
If the car cranks and starts, then I dont think the battery is the problem either.
I would start by looking at ignition. Do you have link or any tuning software?
 
No tuning software yet, was planning on getting DSMLink in the near future. It isn't cranking over now, there's no power to anything. I'm going to put a battery booster on it tomorrow and hook up a Pro-Data and see if it threw any codes. Also, if it is my alternator, does anyone from the Grand Rapids MI area know of any good alternator rebuilding shops? I know I can just search Google but that won't tell me who's had a good experience and such...I'm a little sick of paying the local Mitsu dealership through my nose for OEM parts over the past few weeks...:banghead:
 
Friends 99 vert did the same thing. We checked grounds, alternator tested, brand new battery went bad in 2 weeks. I would check the grounds first before pulling any parts off. Charge the battery see if it starts put the Multi meter on the battery to see if its getting juice or losing it assuming it starts. If its losing take bat n alt. Tested.
 
Kind of an odd situation I had that relates to this with my F150-- Random no power, no start. Ended up finding out a critter chewed into the wire from the alternator to the battery. Ran a new one and problem solved. Of course the Multimeter could tell you that too just like the above posts.
 
Well I took the jump-starter home from work and tried starting it, wouldn't start. The battery pack also works as a voltmeter, and when I first hooked it up, the battery read around 5 volts. After attempting to start it and failing, the battery showed 11.5 volts. Also, the ground cable from my negative terminal to the body is frayed through about 35-40%. Would that contribute to my car not starting?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm having an identical issue currently, though I'm starting with a fresh stocky. DSM's are new to me, but I've been a grease monkey for a while. I plan on going through the wiring that is involved with the alternator. Starting big with the large ga. working my way down to the plug wires. Checking continuity or any drops in voltage. At this point, I can't be sure if there may be the possibility of regulator issues or not (as slim to non as the chance is). If that's the case I see a new ECM in my near future.

If you find the solution to your problem, please share! I knew about my trans am, nose to tail, but I'm in a whole new world now, LOL.
 
Alrighty...got paid today, so bought the new alternator and a new ground cable for my negative terminal as well. Hooked everything up and got a boost battery connected as well, turned the key...nothing. It cranks over and occasionally sputters if I press the accelerator, and smokes a bit after about 10 seconds. Then it will just lose all power randomly (even with the booster battery on) and stop cranking. No dash lights, no ding from the key in the ignition. I'm wondering if I've developed a spontaneous case of ground fault.
 
I know this is dumb and you probably already covered it but... spend the $3 for a new alt. fuse. I replaced the main grounds too, though according to my meter test I didn't NEED to, and it still ran goofy. I check that fuse 100 times and seemed fine, then just chose to replace it because, why not? Now pulling 14v and made it 100 miles with no idiot lights, no power fails, no issues.
I still scratch my head, but it worked...
 
Just tried your suggestion...didn't work. I seriously need to go out and buy myself a good multimeter. On a random note, I got my winter beater (in Michigan, it's just not a good idea to put an excess of 240 hp to street tyres on ice. It's fun for 10 seconds then you hit a tree or someone else...as I did in my GSX last year). Picked up a good running 1998 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 5 speed with 255k miles on the body, 25k on the engine for...wait for it...$800. I love working for a dealership...
 
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community
Boosted Fabrication ECM Tuning ExtremePSI Fuel Injector Clinic Innovation Products Jacks Transmissions JNZ Tuning Kiggly Racing Morrison Fabrications MyMitsubishiStore.com RixRacing RockAuto RTM Racing STM Tuned

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top