it ran perfectly fine at the auction before I bought it

[One Equals Two]

Well, I've only put 340 miles on my Eclipse, and I have been stranded 5 times with it now (all separate issues).

I think I hate this car now. I even expected it to have problems, but not this many is such a short time.

So, it ran perfectly fine at the auction before I bought it. Then the moment I drove off, it overheated and I got stuck for 2 hours in 100 degree weather.

Then I flushed it (black coolant) and it was fine. Then it overheated 3 days later. Bad radiator cap this time.

Then the day I replaced the radiator cap my front tire exploded ($250 new, only used 3,000 miles or so) on the freeway and left me stranded for another 2 hours while I waited for my friend to bring me a wheel. I started to get angry at it.

Then I lost all electrical power and the car wouldn't start. The battery terminal shorted out (I don't know how this is possible, but it was HOT (2nd degree burns to prove it) and fixing it did the trick.

Then I put new wheels on it (because one tire exploded), impact wrenched them on while is was on jack stands, and they came loose 30 seconds later after driving. So, I had to wobble back for an hour at 5 mph. Needless to say, I was really getting steamed at this car.

Then, 2 days later, my battery looks like it's going to take a crap, or the alternator. I can't tell which one because the voltage is low either way. It still starts and all, but it's around 12.6 volts most of the time. So, my question is, "What do I have to do now?" Is it the alternator or the battery? With the car off, it's at 11.5 volts (very low I know). With the car on, 12.4-6 volts. The only reason I think it still starts is because my amp battery in the back gives it enough juice to kick over everytime. Please help, I hate my car....

 

[DSM_PWR]

Welcome to DSMs!

Although i gotta say... this may be more on your part..

If i bought a car from an auction, 1st thing i'd do is give it a once over to make sure that everything is working as it should---> or at least have it checked by a professional mechanic

Coolant/Oil/Spark Plugs would be 1st to get changed

Battery Check/Alternator Check/Fuse Checks/ Oil leaks would be 2nd

The car could have been sitting for a while and might not know the history of it, so this is when Maintenance would be 1st priority... especially since you knew it would have problems

 

[Joe Cool]

Sounds more like maintenance issues. Treat her well an help her recover and you will love it. I see that you live in SLC. Have you joined our local forum?

Club DSM Utah

Check it out, there are plenty of helpful people willing to answer and questions and come help you if you need assistance.

 

[mindset]

Welcome to the club. Only put 280 on mine.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Our cars are known to have a lot of problems and high maintainance requirements. But upside is when you do get all those little problems fixed than they are great cars. My overall experience is that little things break, and when they do well it sucks no doubt but usually easy fixes.

Your alternator check to see if your power steering pump is leaking on it? This is a common problem with our cars and it ruins the alternator. Also My car has power issues too. Just bought new clamps that connect to the battery and made sure there is no rust or corrosion on the battery terminal. Your alternator can come out pretty easily take it to auto zone and have it tested for free and your battery.

 

[Yngvar]

I had mine for over a year and have put about 30 miles on it so don't feel bad

 

[One Equals Two]

I expected the car to have problems, it's my 3rd Mitsubishi. You know when you buy a car, (and it's nice) you just want to drive it. My first 10 minutes of ownership = overheating and the necessity of suffering.

It's just put a way bad impression on me and it's hard to like it now because I've spent 5 hours total time in the last two weeks, sitting in this car on the side of the road, waiting to get picked up.

I'll check the alternator and P/S pump. It does look easy to get to. I posted the car for sale already because I am sick and tired of it, but if no takers, then I'll try and nurse it back up to health.

 

[GT35RDSM]

+1 for maintenance. It is a must when owning a new DSM, considering the old owner probably beat the hell out of it.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Don't sell it trust me once you get it running right you will love it to death!! Advice fix everything right, OEM parts or well known brands that works with DSM's. Little issues aren't bad. The bad would be bad piston rings, transmission issues, etc. So Just try to fix. I am under my hood everyday it seems to fix something tighten something or just look around to make sure everything is ok.

 

[qnz]

if you have a multimeter, see what the voltage is with the battery disconnected. go back out a couple hours later and see if the voltage dropped any. Theres are 10+ year old cars. batterys tend to least about 4 years before losing their efficiency. It could be the battery.

 

[bomper04]

Then I put new wheels on it (because one tire exploded), impact wrenched them on while is was on jack stands, and they came loose 30 seconds later after driving. So, I had to wobble back for an hour at 5 mph. Needless to say, I was really getting steamed at this car.

Then, 2 days later, my battery looks like it's going to take a crap, or the alternator. I can't tell which one because the voltage is low either way. It still starts and all, but it's around 12.6 volts most of the time. So, my question is, "What do I have to do now?" Is it the alternator or the battery? With the car off, it's at 11.5 volts (very low I know). With the car on, 12.4-6 volts. The only reason I think it still starts is because my amp battery in the back gives it enough juice to kick over everytime. Please help, I hate my car....

common now, the first one's a given. regardless of whether or not you're using an impact, ALWAYS, ALWAYS torque your lug nuts down to appropriate torque specs.

if you have access to a vat-40 or mini vat i would do a load test and look at alternator output and post the numbers up.

be patient, you will learn to love you car as i did mine. i still miss mine til this very day hahah

 

[Doubleot]

Basically do what is being said, give your car a good run around and test the voltage of the battery. then see what is making it be so wierd.
Don't sell it, our cars are made to break and be made into heavy horse power machines
Join utdsm there's alot of helpful people around utah that would be willing to come help you out.

 

[TermTrky]

I've had good luck with Eclipses as my daily. It's just once they start going south, no man can possibly give them enough love :/

 

[brian97gs]

dam man that sucks ... if that was me befor i got the car i would of looked every thing over

 

[Dserge]

Bro those are all minor minor issues man.

Could be broken timing belts, blown headgasket, nearly blown tranny.

Those are such minute issues.

I usually feel proud once I get my car back running or something, not angry.

 

[One Equals Two]

I know about the minor issues, and I am not new to the car world. It's just really annoying when I want to just have some fun, and I can't. I don't want to have to constantly babysit this car, hoping that maybe it's happy enough to run. I overheated again yesterday. But, I think I am coming around. I mean, where else can I find a 365 hp car as cool as the Eclipse? Come to find out that my car is already 6 bolt swapped with a 16g turbo, 22 psi, newly built transmission, DSM link, and all sorts of goodies.

Anyway so, I replaced the battery and the alternator and now have worse voltage issues. My battery checked out fine, but I put a new one (which I also tested and it checked out). When the car is off, the voltage is at 10.9 volts or so, but it still starts. Then when it's running, it's at 11.5 volts and doesn't increase with revs or anything. It sputters and crap when it's idling sometimes, and leans out in boost, so it seems like something is draining the car while it's running but not when the car is off. Any ideas?

 

[2FoX2]

I bought my first DSM at a police auction and when I got her home I had some serious maintenance to do before I would feel confident driving her. I flushed all fluids and cleaned all engine/drive train components, and I noticed she was smoking so I replaced the valve stem seals & lifters... needless to say, she became a very reliable car after all of that (and more). But I can only imagine the problems I would have faced on the road had I not done what I did.
Take your time and do what's needed, our cars are really a piece of cake to work on. Tackle that electrical gremlin first, you should be a shade above 12v with the car turned off, and hovering just above 14v when she's running. Start troubleshooting from the easiest to the hardest, put another battery in the car and check the figures, check *all* of your grounds and clean new surfaces for them, if your battery is burning hot then you have a wire that has thinned out/ frayed somewhere, the alternator won't come up in troubleshooting until after you've checked the basics.

Good luck

 

[96mitsugsx]

Those are only minor stuff. Remember, you bought an 11 year old car. Even that happens to fairly new cars. Fix it, keep it and enjoy it. Believe me, you'll love it!

 

[talon187]

Ha ive had my car sit for monhts at a clip. Like stated above you need to do a tune up ngk plugs wires fuel filter air filter oil and coolant. also check belts howe many miles on it? you may want to do a timing belt job that would include timing belt tensior,balance shaft belt if you have them and water pump. after that all is done you should be fine

 

[One Equals Two]

Battery isn't hot at all, and even after it sits for a few days, it still starts. I gave in and replaced, changed, tuned up the car and it seems much happier. However, I still have heat issues probably from the FMIC. It only overheats when idling for a long time in 100 degree weather though and when I turn the heater on, it goes back down almost instantly.

I'll head back to the shop to see what the heck is causing this drain or lack of voltage.

Just to confirm something.....So, my voltage is low when the ignition switch is on (10.9-11.1). But when it's off, the battery reads 12.4 on a voltmeter. I guess that should be my first indication of a drain. DUH <slaps head and goes to the freezer to get some ice cream......no.....it's all gone from yesterday's overheating episode.....cries> But I want to make sure of something. I have 2 alternators, both seem to work fine, and two batteries, one 2 years old, the other one brand new out of my Chevy Prizm. Odds are, it's not the alternator or battery right? I've tried every combination with these 4 things and have experienced no improvement to the voltage.

It may be my damn stereo come to think of it. I took it out, and the day after I pulled it, I had problems. Hmm.....eye wunder.

 

[Rob10_99]

Start taking fuses out and locate the issue. Could be your amp or stereo like you said.
Where did the battery arc across to? strut bar/hood?

 

[talon187]

as far as the heat issue what fan or fans are you running? stock t-stat I would get a 180 t stat and get a spal fan you may need to have it on all the time or two fans

 

[talon913]

bro i had that same problem 2 weeeks ago i bought 2 alternators and took my battery to autozone and can you believe all it was..was a 80 amp fuse in the engine bay fuse box..i hope you checked that before you made the mistake i did of buying another alt which isnt a problem cause eventually you wouold need another one....i almost sold my car 5 times in the last 2 months i backed out every time.its so hard to go to a honda.trust me you sell that car and you will be right back into another dsm before you know it

 

[907gs-t]

fix this bad boy & enjoy.

 

[nyTalonTsi]

Ive only put 30 miles on both dsms ive owned. It puts alot of pressure on us when they break down, lots of times mechanics won't know anything and your on your own till you get some help from this forum. Even though im lost at times, but thats just me.

When these cars run well, their like a bat out of hell. And like others said they are very enjoyable cars. Its the boost that keeps you addicted.