Car will start sometimes, and not others. Please somone help me!!!

[gsturbo91]

Hey guys,

Ok about a week ago I bought a new tranny and clutch (I ate up the second gear syncro) and I was planning on putting it in this past weekend, but last wensday night I was coming home from a friends and the car just died on me. So, I tried to turn it over a few times and it fired up for just a split second and then died again. So I let it sit for a few minutes and I tried it again. It started!!! Well, I drove down the road another mile or so and sure as sh*t it did it again. This time it wouldn't even "fire up". So I pulled it to a friends house,and parked it and began looking for answers. Well, first I checked the fuel pump (pulled it out and hard wired it to the battery) it spun up nicely. I checked the MPI relay,the spark,and I pulled the top fitting off the fuel filter to see if it was getting there. It was, so the only thing I could figure was that the fuel was getting to the fuel rail, but not in the injectors. Ah Hah, the Crank/Cam Senesor!!! So I went to a junk yard (don't have $450-$600 for a new one) and got one. I put it on and it fired up and ran like shit. So I just loosened it and turned it until it ran at least half-way decent. But the timing was not set dead on. So yesterday after the new clutch and tranny was in I decided to go see my girlfriend as we were going out for my birthday 3/28 (21 woo-hoo!!!).So it did fine up to her house (25mi drive) except for a slight miss here and there probably because the timing is a little off. Well on the way home, it started all over again. Dies, starts, dies, won't do any thing but spin over. So I got it towed home roll it off the wrecker and just try to start it for the hell of it and WTF it starts right up!!! So I went out htis morning to try it again and it still cranks right up.

So basically what can cause the car to "speratically" run? Can the fuel pump be cutting in and out? (I doubt it personally). Well any way later this afternoon I am going to try to set the timing, but I'm scared as hell to drive it as I can't afford another wrecker bill. Please help!!!

Justin(GSTurbo91)

 

[Usual Suspect]

Check your ECU, open it up and see if it has any burnt spots. I had the exact same symptom and it was a burnt up ECU.

Jon

 

[candela]

- check the ecu as Jon said (leaking caps suck)
- check the charging system (alternator) and shitty grounds
- check vacuum hoses/IAC

Does the car start up and run fine until it is warm and then die? Does the cars electrical system have low power? Is it cranking really slow? Any other symtoms you notice?

 

[gsturbo91]

I'll pull out the ECM today and check. Its nothing electrical related (battery, alternator,starter, etc.). The car runs fine, even when its warmed up sometimes and other times it won't start whether its warm or cold. It spins over fine until I try it so much that the battery dies (or gets really low). So I'm leaning towards two things, fuel pressure regulator or ECM. I'll check the ECM first and we'll see. Please let me know if you have any more suggestions.

Thanks,
Justin (GSTurbo91)

 

[gsturbo91]

Ok, my friend ran the codes on it last night and it came up with nothing. So, I'm assuming its the Fuel Pressure Regulator. I am going to go order one this morning and I'll try to install it this afternoon. I'm still open to other suggestions.

Thanks,
Justin (GSTurbo91)

 

[Usual Suspect]

Just so you know my ECM/ECU did not throw any CELs saying it was burnt/bad. I really would visually inspect the board if you can, if I had not pulled mine out and opened it up, I would still be replacing things in the fuel delivery system too.

If you guys already, did that then never mind.

Good Luck

Jon

 

[gsturbo91]

I pulled out the ECU and checked it and there were no burnt spots, but there were some almost rusty looking spots (nothing was rusted, but it looked like something had dripped, but no leaks seen from the caps). I will try the FPR tomorrow. Can the FPR work at times and not at others. After all it is a vacuum controlled device. How else can you check the ECU besides a visual inspection and pulling the codes? As I don't believe the ECU has its own code for itself being bad. As always any comments appreciated.


Thanks Again,
Justin (GSTurbo91)

 

[laserblue]

When the engine will NOT run... if you crank it, do you get spark at each plug? I cannot tell from what you wrote.

The common problem [especially with a 13 year old ECU] is that pesky capacitor leaking thing. Sometimes the 3 caps look good but have leaked a bit underneath, and the electrolyte has eaten the copper circuit board traces below. Look close!!!

Anyway...... please answer the question, and write back with any new info!!

 

[gsturbo91]

Ok guys,
I broke down aand took it to the Mitsu Dealer and they came up with that the fuel pump was not pumping enough fuel to open the injectors. Looks like time for a Walbro!!! I'm gonna go with a 190lph as I think the 255lph is a little bit of overkill for my plans. Thanks for all of your help!!!

By Friday I'll have my beloved back on the road!!!Time to break in the new clutch, huh?

Thanks again guys,
Justin (GSTurbo91)

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

Lets us know if that fixes your problem for good or if MitsuSatan was pissing in the wind.

 

[gsturbo91]

Ok it was the fuel pump, so I just went ahead and popped in a Walbro 190lph and it's up and running again. So far so good.

Thanks for all of ya'lls help,
Justin (GSTurbo91)