1994 Eclipse GS not engaging

[Dmeadows]

I have a 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS has the 1.8l and fwd

But I was driving it the other day and it started acting like it was barely getting power or something and then it shut off, so I tried starting it again but it would only run for a second then shut off, and now it won't start at all.

I thought it might be the fuel filter and when I took it off sure enough it was horribly stopped up, so I just went and bought another but it didn't fix the problem.

I've went through and checked comprehension, spark, fuel, timing, and the injectors and all those are good I also tried unplugging the clutch safety system burst no luck there either. So does anybody have any idea what the problem could be.

 

[dwb]

checked comprehension

Wow, didn't know these cars could do that!

Does the engine turn over? You said you checked for compression, spark, fuel and timing, so I guess so. How's your air filter? Maybe a rag or something in the intake?

 

[Dmeadows]

Yes it turns over, the filter was a little dirty but not enough to make it not start I checked the vacuum hose too

 

[pauleyman]

You checked timing. You do mean mechanical timing? The belt?

 

[Dmeadows]

You checked timing. You do mean mechanical timing? The belt?

Yes the belt to make sure it didn't jump time and while turning it I could hear the compression

 

[pauleyman]

1.8 still uses an ecu similar to 4g63. I would rule out it doesn't have anything wrong. I would need to look but it probably has the same startup sequence. Check engine light on for 5 sec etc.

 

[waltah]

1.8 still uses an ecu similar to 4g63. I would rule out it doesn't have anything wrong. I would need to look but it probably has the same startup sequence. Check engine light on for 5 sec etc.

Yep. I think that's the 4g37 engine, very similar to the 4g93 engine I've got in my Expo LRV's but only 8 valves. SOHC. But same general scheme -- ECU, etc.

First thing I think of for a sudden loss of power is jumped a tooth on the cam sprocket. So just to be sure: You put the crank at TDC and checked that the cam sprocket is at the correct place, right?

You said you checked the fuel filter and it was dirty: Which filter is this?

 

[steve]

The SOHC 1.8L 4G37 used in the NA 1G's uses an ECU but only has a single coil and a distributor that combines the function of CAS, PTU, and coil with the typical mechanical routing to the correct plug. The ECU uses the same technology as the DOHC ECU's and suffers from capacitor leakage too. Making sure the Check Engine Light turns on for 5 seconds and goes off is like Paul asked an important first step in diagnosis.

A disconnected or busted Engine Coolant Temp sensor can cause the engine to be difficult or impossible to start just like on the 4G63.

Pretty much the rest is standard Otto cycle engine debugging, air, fuel, compression, and spark.