I'm hoping that there's some mechanic types among us. I've had some problems starting my car since about August or September. I could hear the engine turning but it won't engage. I have to fiddle around with it for a few minutes before it will actually start. The garage couldn't find anything wrong with it and said more time must be given for the problem to come out. In the last month, I haven't had starting problems but I've had about three incidents where I would be driving on the street or even on the highway and the engine just cut out on me. I had to restart the car while it was rolling. Needless to say, this freaked me out. Brought the car back to the garage today to get snow tires put on and they still could find anything from the scans. Anybody out there knows what's wrong? BY the way, it's a 1997 Eagle Talon.
Anybody Out There Know Something About Cars?
- Thread starter ExoticSpirit
- Start date
Sounds like injectors could use a cleaning. If the "Check Engine" light doesn't come on then there will not likely be any codes showing on a scan.
What sort of kilometers on the vehicle? And what type of service work has been done on the vehicle to date? (besides changing over to snow tires)
What sort of kilometers on the vehicle? And what type of service work has been done on the vehicle to date? (besides changing over to snow tires)
Shiek nailed it....when it cut out while moving did you just hit a reasonably hard bump? A loose wire would cause the engine to cut out and also become hard to start.....
When you say "fiddle around with it" what are you fiddling with? The ignition switch inside or wires under the hood?
If it is the ignition switch it could easily be a loose connection in or around the switch or the fusebox. A quick check would be to press on each fuse to make sure they are all well seated. WHile you're under there, you could also do the same to any connector that you see (press them together or whatever to make sure they have good contact).
When you say "fiddle around with it" what are you fiddling with? The ignition switch inside or wires under the hood?
If it is the ignition switch it could easily be a loose connection in or around the switch or the fusebox. A quick check would be to press on each fuse to make sure they are all well seated. WHile you're under there, you could also do the same to any connector that you see (press them together or whatever to make sure they have good contact).
Thanks for all your comments guys. It's actually a well running car except for that problem with the engine cutting out. And nothing does show up on the scan yet as the garage told me that nothing registered in the computer.
Not to make fun of anybody's grasp of the English language, but engines can't engage. I'm surprised Sheik didn't correct it. You have ignition when the gas ignites from a spark.
So I would say you have a problem outside of your computer system first, as in the ignition switch, that was mentioned. Loose or corroded wires can fail you at the worst time, and not show up on a scan. Also, the modules are mini computers, and they have been known to act up without giving any sign of it when scanning for engine codes. Isn't modern technology fun?
So I would say you have a problem outside of your computer system first, as in the ignition switch, that was mentioned. Loose or corroded wires can fail you at the worst time, and not show up on a scan. Also, the modules are mini computers, and they have been known to act up without giving any sign of it when scanning for engine codes. Isn't modern technology fun?
You're in luck. I know my Talons very well seing as I own one myself and do most of the work to it. There's a grounding cable from the battery to the chassi. Over time it gets corroded and will cause the symptoms you describe. Replace that and you will be fine.
It's not a case where it just ceases to work. There is slight movement in the battery tray that is caused from engine movement. This in turns cause the cable to move. Check this link out for a visual illustration. What ends up happening is the ground connection becomes intermittent over time.Sheik said:
Think of it as a pair of head phones on an MP3 player or walkman. After a while the sound will cut out in the ear pieces. If you play with the cable you can restore sound but hit it the wrong way again and you'll lose it. At that point, it's time for new head phones.
I'm willing to bet that sometimes when she starts the car and turns the ignition, lights will go on but the car won't turn over. If she turns the key a few times the car will start. This use to happen to me alot in the summer if I tried the start the car when the engine was still warm. I thought it was a starter solonoide and replaced it, it still happened. I replaced the starter thinking that was the problem and it still happened. I replaced my ground and she starts like a champ again.
that symptom most likely loosing intermittent electrical power to your fuel pump, check the fused and clean the harness that powers your fuel pump also try to replaced your fuel pump relay (thats the hardest part to diagnose if you have bad fuel pump relay) that happen to my car, although different automobile brand, still the same principle. to check bad ground connection, if you have power window it is slower than usual. but it is good idea too to clean and tighten the ground connection as well, it has also effect to all your power supplyExoticSpirit said:
Could have a high resistance short in a positive wire. A small break in the insulation could cause this. The wire occasionally arcs out. You can check this with a VOM by going between the negative cable and a body ground. At 30VDC you should see ZERO volts. You might find you see 2 maybe volts or more Not a huge loss but enough to cause trouble. Now for the bad news. There are several wires that are always hot and anyone of then could be the problem.
But wouldn't this cause the car not to turn over? SInce a voltage drop might not be enough to engage the starter properly but should be more than enough to power the ignition system.....papasmerf said:
I still say check the fuses, make sure they're well seated. As the other guy said, a loose or bad fuse for the fuel pump could cause the car to stall and be hard to start.
I am still waiting for an answering on what is being fiddled with.....
The car has been starting just fine recently but then again, we haven't quite made it to the minus 20 degree mark yet (I teach skiing a few days per week so the car will be outside). The thing that really worries me is when the engine cuts out as the car is rolling on the highway.
I am tempted to bring it into a dedicated Mitsubishi dealer rather than my usual garage since it should be the same as the Eclipse.
I am tempted to bring it into a dedicated Mitsubishi dealer rather than my usual garage since it should be the same as the Eclipse.
