Car acts like it wants to shut off

Tiny
BAHMED_2001
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 62,626 MILES
I have been having ignition problems where the key wasn’t connecting properly to start the car. I would turn the key to the on position but it wouldn’t make any noise and the car wouldn’t start. I took it to Firestone and in November 2018 the mechanic installed an ignition switch. They also did a charging check and said my battery was in good condition. The car started just fine after that. A day or two later the same problem occurred again. The key wasn’t connecting properly to start the car. I took the car back to Firestone and they told me I needed an ignition lock cylinder because the ignition parts had worn out. I didn’t get that part. The mechanic and the adviser concluded together for me to start the car with a screwdriver since using the key alone was an issue to start the car. I drove the car like this with starting it with a screwdriver for a few months but the car started acting hesitant and acting like it wanted to shut off when I slow down or stop. April 10, 2019 the car shut down when I made a stop. I had it towed to two Firestone’s and neither one of them could figure out the problem. They could not get the car started I had it towed to Mitsubishi and they installed a engine starting switch. The car is running. I got it out of the shop today. The car is acting like it wants to shut off when I slow down or stop. It is hesitant and weak. When I press the gas pedal after slowing down or stopping the car is dragging and acts like it doesn’t want to move forward. The service engine soon light is on and it hasn’t went off.
Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 AT 9:01 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

My first instinct tells me this issue has nothing to do with the ignition switch but rather a low fuel pressure issue, plugged catalytic converter, or something different related to the ignition system.

Here is what I suggest: Since the check engine light is on, have the computer scanned to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes. They will help us determine what is causing the power loss. Here is a quick video showing how to retrieve codes:

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

I realize most people don't own a scanner, but often, parts stores will do it for free or rent you a scanner. Once you find the codes, let me know what they are so I can better help.

Let me know what you find,

Joe
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Thursday, May 9th, 2019 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
BAHMED_2001
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello Joe, thanks for your response to my question. I got my car back in to Mitsubishi today 5/10/19. I was told it’s a tune up that is needed if the engine light came back on. The service adviser says the boot wasn’t seated on spark plug. The tech reseated boot and the engine light went off but it came back on when I arrived home. The receipt says Code P0301 Misfire. The receipt says if engine light comes back on will need to replace wires and plugs. I have been hearing a popping noise coming from somewhere. The car is okay when I slow down or stop. The problem of weakness and acting like it wants to shut off is when my foot press the gas pedal. It takes an act of nature for the car to move forward. I hope you can help lead me to an answer.
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Friday, May 10th, 2019 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

The code indicates a cylinder one misfire. At this point, I would follow what he is suggesting and replace the spark plugs and ignition wires. If that doesn't remedy the issue, we will need to check for other issues such as a bad crankshaft position sensor, fuel pressure, low compression in cylinder one and so on.

When he first repaired it and the light went out, did it run any better? How many miles were driven before it turned back on for you?

Let me know,

Joe
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Friday, May 10th, 2019 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
BAHMED_2001
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello Joe, the car ran better for most of my ride home but I noticed just one time of weakness. I was across the street from my apt building. I was waiting for the traffic light to change. I pressed the gas pedal and I could feel the weakness of the car acting like it wanted to shut off. I got to my apt building and parked on the side of the street with no other incidents with the car and the engine light was still off when I turned the car off. The total mileage including a stop at Quktrip was 15 miles. I went out later to move the car about two hours later and when I got around the corner of the apt building the check engine light came on again. I parked the car without any problems. I will definitely be having a tuneup with new spark plugs and wires. I will update you after I have the service work performed. I hope it will be resolved. Thanks for your time.
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Sunday, May 12th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

Let me know if that takes care of it. I will watch for your reply.

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, May 12th, 2019 AT 8:24 PM
Tiny
BAHMED_2001
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Joe, I took my car to Pep Boys for service on Sat. 5/25/19. I had them to put in new spark plugs and new wires. The service engine soon light stayed on when I started the car. I drove the car home with no problems with the engine light on. I took the car back on Monday 5/27/19. They pulled the codes and it was two of them. The P0301 code was gone. There were two new codes. I don’t remember exact codes but they are in the 500 series codes. I was told by the service adviser that I need a Idle Air Control Motor. He turned engine light off and told me it will probably come on again because I need this part.
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Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
BAHMED_2001
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Joe, I forgot to mention that the tech told me on Sat 5/25/19 that I needed a valve cover gasket. He said that could have been causing an issue with the spark plugs and wires because oil was leaking in a tube. I don’t know what tube he was referring to. I had a new valve cover gasket installed. The engine light has not came back on as of yet.
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Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:
Honestly, he is correct. I attached a picture for you to look at. I circled the plug wire boots in red and in yellow is the valve cover. The boots go down inside the cover to reach the plugs. That area is referred to as the tubes. There are o-rings in there that prevent oil from leaking into the tubes. If it does, over time it will damage the spark plug boots causing an arcing. The result is usually a misfire.

Take a look at the picture and let me know if you have other questions. Also, if you get me the 500 series codes, I will help you get that taken care of.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 AT 5:40 PM

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