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1990 Mitsubishi Mirage engine will not fire

Tiny
GARYSMIRAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 178,000 MILES
I have a 1990 mirage 1.5 MPFI.
engine quit on me a few weeks ago while running interstate speed (75mph) would not refire. Had it towed home pulled the #1 plug and checked for fire there was non. I pulled the ECU and sent it to AUTOMOTIVE COMPUTER SUPPLY, Huston Texas.
i had the ECU fail back in 2005 and it was the problem. This is not the case this time. I spoke to the tech and he said there was nothing wrong with my ECU.

I changed the coil installed a new distributor, distributor cap, rotor and wires but still no fire. Timing belt has about 40,000 miles on it and timing is good. I assume the cam positioning sensor is built into the distributor because I didn't see one on anywhere on the cam.

i can hear the fuel pump relay and hear the fuel pump run when I try to crank it.
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 AT 12:16 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Have you checked to see if the timing belt isn't broke? If not then first remove the distributor cap and see if the rotor turns if not then pull the upper cover to the cam and see if the belt is broke. Here is a pic to help with belt inspection.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249564_Graphic_172.jpg

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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
GARYSMIRAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I think I covered the timing belt in my question when I said timing was good.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 AT 11:30 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
No it isn't covered now. It may have been when it was running but now it isn't so you must go back to basics first so you don't miss anything. Now I need to know if the distributor is turning. So if you would remove the distibutor cap and see if the rotor is turning. I never assume anything without making sure. So please check and let me know ok. If the distibutor is turning then put the cap back on and remove a spark plug wire and put a screwdriver in the end of it and put it near metal and see if there is spark. Let me know what find. Thanks.
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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
GARYSMIRAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
LOL okay, maybe I didn't phrase it properly when I said timing was good. My bad dude. Let me try to clear it up.
This thing has driven me crazy and I probably didn't list all the things in the order that i've checked to try to get this sucker running. Sorry.
When I started checking things the timing and belt was one of the first things I checked. I know I didn't list it first but like I said it's driving this old boy crazy.

I removed the timing belt cover and checked the timing and belt all was good or maybe I should say (is) good. The Distributor is turning and when I installed I double checked TDC rotor button location too. So I know all of that is correct.

I stated I replaced the coil and that was a desperation thing while waiting on my new ECU to arrive. I checked the old one with Ohm meter and it showed a weak primary winding but I never checked the new one untill today. Yeap it tested bad on the secondary.
Parts house didn't have one in stock but they said they would have one there in the morning. I hope the coil is the problem.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
So you don't have spark but everything else is in order? I would say that if you tested the coil and it tested bad then that would be a good starting place. Just so you can double check you resistance here is what I have. Primary.72-.82 ohms and secondary 10,300-13,900 ohms and this is at 68 degrees. Let me know how it goes.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
GARYSMIRAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Man if I had hair i'd pull it out.
Put the new coil on and still NO fire. I thought I was a pretty good shade tree but this one is driving me crazy.
I'm to the point where i'm ready to scrap it. I've talked to local mitsubitshi techs and none can give any insight.
I miss the days of the old distributors and carbs. LOL
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Friday, January 1st, 2010 AT 8:04 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
OK so refresh me with what has or hasn't been done. Have you checked the pickup coil? Have you checked the ignition module? What volts do you have to the positive and neg side of the coil? Have you checked to make sure that the dist. Cap isn't missing the center button for the rotor?
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Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
GARYSMIRAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
You know of ALL the people I have spoken to including local so called techs, my brother was the only person to mention an ignition module. Friday around noon we were talking about his 1954 f100 street rod he's building and he was telling me about the coil for the Vette engine having an ignition module with it. Hey, he and I are both new to computerized egines so when he ask me about my engine having one my response was the repair manual makes no mention of an ignition module (yes I should have purchased a chilton repair manual) anyway, after he ask I went to the Advance Auto Parts website and saw what mine looked like. There it was bolted to the intake manafold mounted between the four fuel injectors. Got the price from advance auto parts but Oreilly's was Cheaper with a limited lifetime. I installed it friday afternoon and BAM she fired right up.

I appreciate your help racefan and I thank you for asking the right questions. You've earned the money on this one. I checked this post today and saw your question about the ignition module I just laughed out loud. Live and learn huh? Seems i've always done it the hard way. Thanks again.

Now I have to mail my brother a $15.00 check too.
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 AT 4:19 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Hey no problem. I am glad that is is working again. If you need any other help or just some understanding on electronic ignition just ask. Again thanks for your support.
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Monday, January 4th, 2010 AT 11:33 AM

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