Loss of engine power in drive

FORENSICS

MEMBER
2007 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
158,443 MILES

Hi, to any who reads or answers. So, my vehicle listed above starts and revs great when in park and it idles great even after warmed up. It takes a really long time to get up to any speed and if you're lucky 20MPH for a few seconds is what you get after that the power keeps declining until all you can do is idle down the street or else it starts to shut off. If you put it back into neutral or park the car still doesn't have power unless you let it sit for a minute or two. I want to say it's the fuel pump, but I thought I'd get another opinion involved.

2 Replies

FORENSICS

MEMBER
106 POSTS

Video of driving.

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Friday, November 12th, 2021 AT 4:03 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,230 POSTS

Hi,

Without codes, it makes things a bit more difficult.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

I watched your video, and it could be a fuel-related issue. By any chance, have you checked fuel pressure to see if it is within spec? Here is a link showing how it's done if you haven't:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Pic 1 below provides the manufacturer's pressure specifications.

Next, if you have a live data scan tool, could you check the short-term fuel trims and let me know what they are?

Are there any odd smells or smoke from the exhaust? Is there any rattling from the exhaust that could indicate a converter may have internal problems and blocking exhaust?

I want you to disconnect the mass airflow sensor and see if the issue improves or goes away. The MAF is located on the air intake tube between the air filter box and the throttle body. See pic 2 below.

One last question. At the end of the video, the engine would hardly rev in park. Does the engine smell like it's running rich or is there any black or gray smoke from the exhaust?

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.

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