Major problem thats needs to be fixed before I can boost. help!

[2GEEZEY]

Okay so at random times my car will die and shut off.

It will be running fine and if i park my car somewhere and get back in later ill start it up and it will die and the CEL light comes on.

I think i have a small valve cover gasket leak but Im pretty sure it wouldnt make it die.

I have a hard time keeping it running, if i push the clutch in the rpms will drop to 0 and shut off.

HELP! i need to fix this before I can start boosting!

 

[LiquidX]

Get the CEL checked?

 

[pgarland]

Can't offer much advice until you post up the CEL code. Also, how long do you have to wait/what actions do you have to take to get it running right again? Need more information from you...I would run the car to Autozone and have them check the code for you, then post up some more information here.

 

[Assmatic]

Your car doesn't run a MS2/Extra right? Doesn't say you do but just checking.

 

[1kwik4g]

If when you push the clutch in and it dies. To me that sounds like crankwalk.

 

[AK Maniak]

I thought 420a's didn't get crankwalk

 

[Locke]

Any engine can crankwalk, but it is so highly unlikely for a 420a to crankwalk that we will dismiss it as a potential problem for now.

 

[kmj 4g63t]

Valve cover gasket has nothing to do with your car dying at random times and the cel. We really need the code to help you. Have you done a vacuum leak test? Also does the car die ALL THE TIME when you press the clutch?

at crankwalk comment, slightest chance in the world. Thats the last thing.

 

[2GEEZEY]

thats the thing, sometimes the cel comes on after it dies, but when i start it up again its not on.

Other times it will come on will driving but my car with kinda like jerk and it comes off.

I took it to advance and they said it has to be a 96 or newer to scan it.

PS: It will be running fine and if im crusing my car will jerk kinda and the cel almost appears but doesnt in like less than a second. its really weird.

 

[NeMiZiS]

Great now 420A's are getting crankwalk!
DSMers are just doomed.

 

[pgarland]

I have heard the Autozone/Advanced employees say that a car has to be 96 or newer in order to read codes, the reason they say this is because it wasn't a law in the US for all vehicles to be OBDII compliant until 96. Fortunately for you, Mitsubishi Eclipse's were OBDII compliant in 95, so they can scan your car at Autozone/Advanced. Just kindly explain that to the clerks, and then the manager if need be, and you should be able to get your CEL code.

Link for reference:
Will it work with my car?
(read at the very bottom of the page where it states "- Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon were OBDII compliant in 95")

At the very worst, run it by the dealership to get the code read, it should be stored even if your CEL has gone off.

As for the crank walk thing, isn't it a bit soon to start bringing that up as a possible explanation? The likelihood of it being crank walk is somewhere between slim and none, don't break the poor guy's heart before we even know the fault code yet!

 

[#40Fan]

With all of the other problems that you have been having, did this start shortly after fixing one of the others?

 

[tec_41]

Pick up a haynes manual and read your check engine code...Toggle the ignition key between run and off 3 times and leave it in the run position on the 3rd turn. It will flash and tell you the code.

 

[yoshi_tony]

i was having the same problem and was a vaccumm leak

 

[2GEEZEY]

Can they scan it even if the CEL isnt on?

when i turn it on, everything lights up then the cel flashes. So does this mean they can scan it?

 

[MJBean420]

Just go have it scanned and write the number(s) down. Since its OBDII, its easier to diagnose utilizing the info the ECU has stored. The codes are stored even with the light off. Its probably an easy fix, you just need to figure out where to look and getting the codes scanned is beginning that process. Post up the codes.

 

[2GEEZEY]

alrighty, off to autozone. be back with the code/s hang on

 

[pgarland]

Can they scan it even if the CEL isnt on?

when i turn it on, everything lights up then the cel flashes. So does this mean they can scan it?

The CEL code gets stored, so unless you've had your battery unhooked for any significant length of time since the problem has last happened, the code will still be there (regardless of whether or not the CEL is on).

If you were unable to get the code from Autozone or Advanced, here is the step by step (straight out of the Haynes Manual) on how to get the codes straight from the dash.

To Display the codes on the instrument panel (CHECK ENGINE light or Malfunction Indicator Light), with the engine NOT running, turn the ignition key ON, OFF, ON, OFF, and finally ON (must be done within 5 seconds). The codes will begin to flash. The light will blink the number of the first digit then pause and blink the number of the second digit. For example: Code 23, air temperature sensor circuit, would be indicated by two flashes, pause, three flashes.

Any additional codes will follow the first code in the same way...just remember all codes are 2 digit numbers when read this way (so if it keeps flashing at you after you got the first, second, or even third set of numbers, keep writing them down as two digit sets).

If you end up having to get your code(s) this way, just post up the 2 digit numbers, I'll reply with what the manual says for that particular code.

 

[mhDSM09]

Any update? The ecu should store the cel even if the light doesn't stay on. When I put on my mls hg for some reason when I started it back up a p1784 code registered on the scan gauge but I never had the cel stay on. So in my experience it will store whatever codes have popped up recently

 

[e96eclipse]

I am a manager at the autozone here in town and i dont see where it would be a prob to hook our scanner up to your car! kinda sounds like maybe a vac leak...maybe? i having a similar prob where i press in the clutch and it tryes to cut off but ill tap the gas and it will clear up....but i also have a CEL light on and it the bank one O2 sensor.... but get the code its the best way to find out

 

[2GEEZEY]

alright went to the zone to get it scanned even though there was no light. But right when I left my house, i stopped at a stop sign, it shut off on me and the CEL came on. Started it right up and off i went...

 

[AK Maniak]

Did you get a code?

 

[2GEEZEY]

No, they scanned it and nothing came up

 

[Assmatic]

Get a basic scanner from Autozone that just reads a code so next time it pops up you can read it right off the bat...that's very odd that it didn't come up, you didnt take out your battery or anything for more than 15mins?

 

[2GEEZEY]

yeah it dies then the light comes on, but i start it right away and its not there.

also ill will just be crusing and u see the cel light start to illuminate but it doesnt come on. it like blinks for less than a second.....really weird.