Engine dies going long distance?

[Mambug]

Hey all, I have what I would consider a very serious problem. Argueably .

The Problem:
RPM Goes up and down, car shakes, then the engine dies. No steering.

The Conditions:
It has only ever happens when
A) Was driving on the freeway
B) Going a long distance (30-45 minute drive @ 65-75MPH)
C) 5th Gear

It's happened on my last 2 freeway drives.

The Synopsis:
The first time it happened I got it to my mechanic the next day. The problem with that is that the next day I turned my car on and the check engine light wasn't on. So their computer couldn't read what my car's computer picked up through it's sensors. The mechanic test drove it a good distance and didn't pickup any problems, he inspected my engine and changed a head gasket. (Apparently the bearing we're loose .. don't remember the exact details) It was just a problem that was there before this whole ordeal. Well I got the car back and didn't drive it on the free way until yesterday. And, the same problem happened, this time I got it to my mechanic fast enough and the Check Engine light was still on. So thats some relief to me.

Other Details:
I drive short distances daily to and from school within my town. It's about 12 blocks from my house. Other than that, I may take a short drive to and from my friends back to home. This problem never occurs on these short distances.


If you have any ideas, thoughts, or need more information I would greatly appreciate this. I'm 16 and this is my only way of transportation. As well, i'd like to know what my car is doing to itself so I can be more smart the next time something like this may happen.

Appreciated!

Edit: Just another thing to note, I have a 96 Eclipse RS. Someone said it's a DSM so thats why im here... In my profile it says Non-DSM. I'm not really even sure what DSM is (I know that it is a cross of chrysler and mitsubishi, and it's for models of 95-99 I think of the Eclipse, Laser (Im not even sure i've seen this car before) and talon.) I have all stock on my Eclipse + It's the basic RS package with the 1.8L non-turb, manual. If someone could be kind enough to tell me what type of DSM it is, so I could be a little more accurate on my reasearch and info as well, that'd be appreciated.

 

[Ultimatedsm]

Check your fuel system out. Maybe there is a bad connection to your fuel pump or bad injector wire. First thing you do is check your DTC's than come back to us once you know what the code is.

 

[KBasham03]

Dsm-
A joint effort by Mitsubishi and the Chrysler Corporation to build some of the most incredible automobiles in the world. The vehicles were produced with the names Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Plymouth Laser. DSM cars are assembled in Normal, Illinois. The '94-and-up Mitsubishi Galant is also assembled at the DSM plant in IL; previous Galant's were assembled in Japan. The Eclipse and Galant (since '89) share the same platform.

 

[Mambug]

Well I got my car back from the auto clinic. The problem was my cars computer chip. A few weeks ago there was a problem with my car, it was related to a bad coil, so we got a new one and it costed a couple hundred bucks. Not cheap. Now since the coil was damaged it allowed my car's CPU to catch the heat and that caused my cars CPU to get damaged. Now that it's damaged over time its been slowly getting worse.

Pretty much what happens is when I drive long distance my chip picks up heat and it shuts my engine off immediately.

To repair it will cost around $700 says my auto mechanic. 6xx for a used, and 1200 for a new chip. However, looking at eBay I think there are remanufactured ones for around 280.00. At least what I found was a ECU ECM Computer engine chip on eBay. Im not sure thats what I need but if it is, hopefully I can save some money, otherwise I can't afford to fix my only car right now.

If anyone has any thoughts, or opinions or some suggestions, I do hope you can share.

Also, how do I know what "DSM" type of car I have? Non-Turbo 5 speed manual 96 Eclipse RS (This is a 2G car right?). Or is that what the "DTC" is for?

Thanks all.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

Mambug:


If it's the ECU, just pick up one from the junk yard and swap them out yourself. You should be able to pick one up for a N/T for less than $200. The ECU is basically under and behind the radio, removing the console side panels will give you access.

Yes you have a 2G. DTC stands for "diagnostic trouble code".

 

[Mambug]

Thanks Jim.