2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Why is my car continuing to die out

Tiny
PIMPERTLE30
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 91,000 MILES
My eclipse has normally been reliable for me, but not lately. The car will start normally if it has not been started it about a day or so, but if I turn it off for about ten minutes, it will not run properly. I go to turn the car on and it starts but very weakly. In about two seconds it dies out after it settles at its idling RPM. Ive attempted to give it gas as it begins to die but it pretty much cuts me off and does not let me rev it anymore. Ive had the pedal to the floor in an attempt to keep the car on and it didnt work. Anybody have any idea what the problem could be?
Friday, December 19th, 2008 AT 1:02 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

To better assist you please tell me the model of your vehicle. Is it a GS, GT, RS, Spyder GS or Spyder GT. Also the engine size in liter.

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 please next time this happens, spray some starting fluid in the TB and see if it starts and runs for a second.

You may need to get a fuel pressure check on the fuel pump to ensure it is putting out okay. We will see.

Next, 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.

Please do the above and get back with me.
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Friday, December 19th, 2008 AT 2:44 PM
Tiny
PIMPERTLE30
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Its a 2001 GS 2.4L engine
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Saturday, December 20th, 2008 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

Thank you for that info..... Did you have time to do any of the checks/tests?
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Saturday, December 20th, 2008 AT 6:44 PM

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