1991 Mitsubishi Galant Stuck at idle

Tiny
BDRAKE
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 MITSUBISHI GALANT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 110,000 MILES
I have recently bought a used 1991 Mitsubishi Galant 4cyl 5spd. Just last before I left for work I let the car warm up, as I am trying to leave for work the car would not go past 2,000 rpm. I tried in neutral, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear and still the same story. What's more is the "check engine" light was on as well. I turned the car off and turned the car back on. Still the same problem. I borrow a friends car and go to work. I come back later that night and the car wouldn't even start. I'm beginning to think it might be an oxygen sensor or a mass airflow sensor or maybe a throttle position sensor.
Monday, February 22nd, 2010 AT 3:37 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
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  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

first thing to do is go get a scan done as this will identify the set fault code, this will give us an indication as to where the problem is, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, February 22nd, 2010 AT 4:21 AM
Tiny
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This is great advice and all, but two things.

Firstly, to find a code reader for this year and manufacture is nigh impossible or incredibly expensive if I were to be inclined to get an error code myself.

Secondly, in order for me to take it to a neighborhood mechanic to get a code read done, the car would need to be able to be driven to the mechanic, and it currently does not start.

The car will turn as if it's trying to start except it will not start. We have ruled out the battery, starter, alternator, and fuel pump. Any insight as to how to get the car to start would be incredibly helpful.
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 AT 12:25 AM
Tiny
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OK, pull the spark plug leads and check for a good strong spark, with a screw driver resting on the injector and your ear to the handle end listen for the click of the injector as it fires or check the pulse with a test light or a noid light, pull the plugs are they very wet? (Poor spark plenty of fuel) very dry (no injection pulse) or no fuel pressure, check these next.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 AT 1:58 AM
Tiny
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The person who's helping me get my car running pulled a spark plug out and it was dry. I was hoping to check the fuel injectors by listening for the click but was unable to do so since the person who's helping me is outta town for the next few days.

Thanks for all the help so far :)

edit: also, while working yesterday we heard the car "sputter" (only for less than a second) as if it were going to start, and after that, never again.
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 AT 3:36 PM
Tiny
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Hi there,

The dry plug would tend to indicate no injection or no fuel, look here first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
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Just a quick question, if it is indeed a problem with the fuel injectors, can only one of them be causing the car to not start or is it generally all of them?

Thanks :)
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
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If only one was faulty it will still run but with a miss fire, if all are dry it will be no injection pulse(maybe cam sensor) or no fuel pressure,

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
BDRAKE
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  • 5 POSTS
Thanks again for your help.

After taking a quick visit to the local car part shop and having a quick talk with someone there he was suggesting it's the fuel pump. When doing some testing to pinpoint the problem we took the top off the fuel filter (at least I believe that's what it is, it's the cylindrical object in the back nearly center) and when we tried to start the car it didn't exactly shoot out, it more or less just kinda came over the top. However, we did this only for a brief second as we didn't want to waste all the gas.

I know I'm kind of being difficult and I apologize. But your help is greatly appreciated.
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Friday, February 26th, 2010 AT 12:47 AM
Tiny
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Sounds like the fuel pump has had it, you should get an instant constant flow of fuel.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, February 26th, 2010 AT 1:48 AM

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