1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Car shuts off while driving whether

Hello -

To better assist you is your model just the Eclipse, or the GS, GS-T, GSX, RS, Spyder GS, or Spyder GS-T? Also please tell me your engine size in liter.

Next, I know your check engine light has not come on but please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

Next time it does this make sure you have the items you need to do the following check. We need to figure out if it is electrical or fuel related. Pull a plug wire off of the spark plug and insert something into the end of it and have someone try to start the car and have the metal object really close to a piece of metal on the engine and see if you are getting a good strong popping blue spark. Don't have your hands on any part of the metal! If there is no spark, then it is electrical.

If you are getting good spark then spray some starting fluid in the throttle body and try to start it and see if it tries to start then.

Hello -

Thanks for the info.........

You replaced the fuel pump? What caused you to do this?

In your response you said fuel pump/wires......... Does that mean wires at the fuel pump or the wires are the plug wires?

What we are trying to do is narrow our search. If you try to turn it over and there is no spark then we assume the fuel is okay so we can pursue why there is no spark and look at all the items that may prevent that.

If you are getting a good blue popping spark and it tries to start when you spray starting fluid in it, then most likely the electrical side is okay so then we start pursuing why no fuel.........

When you get ready to start the car and radio and all other things are off, when you first turn the key, before you turn it all the way do you hear the fuel pump build pressure?

Hi Vicky

Have you been able to do the spark check yet or the starting fluid?

When it is really quiet and you are sitting in your car and you turn the key..... Don't start it just turn it on when the lights come on..... You should here a hummm like a motor running and then it stops..... That should be the fuel pump building pressure.

Hello -

Also do you remember what sensors you replaced a few years ago?

Hello -

Hi Vickie - I know this is frustrating..... And expensive......... You do have about 153K on the car so....... The reality is things will start to go wrong more often... So please keep that in mind....... This is normal for the miles.........

Well, at least it is the spark for now......... Plug wires..... They should be replaced every 60,000 miles... For now, you can do this check to save a little money..... Please take a spray bottle of water and open the hood... Start the engine and spray a mist of water over the plug wires while it is running and see if the engine changes at all... That is stumbles a little.

Before you purchase anything else please get an estimate on the work to be done and let me know.......

How is it running now.......

Hello -

Vickie

I don't mean to sound negative about the work on the car but I don't think you should replace the computer yet.......

Like the fuel pump... You stated "... Fuel pump had never been replaced so we tried that as well..." What bothers me is that is expensive and it seemed to be replace because it had never been..... Was a fuel pressure check accomplished to show it was low pressure?

So we don't want to swap parts to troubleshoot... That will run you out of money.......

You replaced the coil now due to no spark..... Okay... Then next time it quits then do the same checks again..... Check for spark then if you have spark spray the fluid for fuel check.

Next time the mechanic does have it please have him check the fuel pressure and let us know what it is.

A bad crank sensor can also cause no spark....... Was that checked out?

Is the vehicle being checked on a diagnostic machine or no?

I may also have another moderator check this to see if they can see anything else.

For what reason is he trying to replace the computer. I don't see any type of diagnostics on it. Could be very well be the ignition switch and the ASD relay acting up that has a major role on powering the injector/s coil/s and fuel pump - Seems to me this fella is not a tech he's a partschanger, playing wild guesses-might end up milking your bank acct.

We got cranking speed, compression but this other 2 Fuel and Spark is the question which one is missing could be both at the same time-

Mr. ImpalaSS has given good advises on it, here's mine before he replace the computer -tell him to do below right in front you it only takes about 1/2 hr to do it-then comeback with the test results

To disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors. Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

Vicky

I haven't' heard from you so hope the car is fixed. Also, it looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.