Ill Running 92, Can Someone Help? Options

[drkerry]

Ok, I'll try to keep this as short as I can. 92 Galant with a 2.0 sohc automatic.
About two months ago I was on the highway running at 70 mph. About three miles after I got onto the highway the car shut off like someone turned the key off. Upon getting it home and checking a bunch of things I found out the balance shaft belt was shredded, no problem right, changed that and the timing belt and cranked the engine. At that point there wasn't any spark so I started checking and changing a bunch of things. Tested coil, ign. module, replaced plugs, cap and rotor, wires, fuel filter, pcv valve, o2 sensor and changed trans fluid and filter. Come to find out it was a capacitor in the ecm. So I changed that.

Ok, now we're to my problem, I drove the car for three weeks and one day going to work it started sputtering and back firing through the exhaust. It died three times that day. I'd be driving along hit a patch of fog and it would start running rough, back firing and the die. So that is when I replaced the o2 sensor thinking moisture was hitting it. (Dealership told me that it wasn't reading anything at all). SO now I get the car back from the delaership on Friday for the second time thinking cool the danged thing is going to run like a top........ Not the case, it runs better but when I'm out on the highway and give it gas to pass it hit the higher rpm range and spits and misses.

The ecm wasn't a Mits replacement part and I've been told that it could be a sub standard part and not working with the car, but the Mits mechanics are only "guessing" when they tell me this. Has anyone had anything like this happen or can you point me towards someone who does? I've stuck way to much cash into this thing and it's getting on my one last nerve.................................

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me out on this!!!!
Kerry

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

There are a bunch of things . Firstly , good yu did change that balance shaft belt but that was not yur issue. That Balance shaft belt most likely had been shredded hundreds of miles on. That will not keep the engine frum running. A missed year on the ECU will cause issues as for many Mitsubishi ECU of this year are very particular. Especially model and car it comes out of.

Also one big thing is that lower than nominal fuel pressure , can easily cause the sputter and misfire. The lack of upper end fuel spray will do this.

[drkerry]

I had the fuel pump pressure tested and it came back ok. replaced the fuel filter as well.
On the ecm I ordered a replacement with the same code or numbers that were on my ecm when I pulled it out so I don't know if that means anything. I know the dealership told me that it could just be a sub standard ecm that may not of been programmed right.

I know this happens when I give it gas to pass someone or am going up a big hill that I need to kick passing gear in. It also has a rougher idle now as oppossed to before all of this happened. I don't want to pay another $800.00 for another ecm to find out it's not my problem. I'm hoping to find a used one to try just to see if it is the problem, then I'd pay the money to get a Mits brand ecm for it...

Thanks for your feedback on it, hopefully someone else may know more as well too.

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

try sourcing sum other 2.0 fuel injectors frum various mitsubishi models with a 2.0 engine. Maybe yur injectors are dirty, the nozzle.

[drkerry]

Well I think I found the problem. After taking it in to have the fuel pressure tested the first time it was good. Well it kept getting worse to the point the car wouldn't run. I bottle fed the car and it ran like a top. I am replacing the fuel pump and hoping it'll take care of the issue. Only problem is the tube coming out of the unit broke and I can't find any new ones anywhere. I can't even find an old one in hopes it's good. ANy ideas??

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

the issue with these units on these cars is that they easily were plauged with the issue of rusting , the floor of the fuel tank , to which effected the strainer and fuel pump. Ive seen this on many models that were FWD and a few AWD models like this which is a 1987-1991 model for us , the 1992 model for us is the 1994 model in america and sum other places. Yu are speaking of the tube on the sending unit going to the fuel pump? Or outside of the tank on the sending unit?

I have seen this a few times , it is due to the corrosion of the rust and angle to which the pump is set at . Did yu remember to remove the lower drain/pump stabilizer bolt which is on the bottom rear section of the tank also? Also yu should replace the fuel filter.

[drkerry]

Thanks for the info, you've been a big help!!!!
On mine the tube inside the tank is like new, it's the tube coming out of the tank from the fuel pump. That one crumbled when I touched it. Unfortunately it broke right at the fuel pump housing/plate so I cannot attach something else to it and make something work. I'm finding out that nobody has that particular part as it's now obsolete.
I don't know if you'd know of anyone in your area that may have the fuel module or not. If you did it would be very awesome!!!!
Thanks again for your help,
Kerry

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

Well my area is a bit aways frum yurs . The pressure line yu are meaning? Or the return line yu are having issues with? It may be a little work but yu can attempt to get one frum a salvage lot on a similar model that may be in better condition.

[drkerry]

I did manage to find one in California, now I'm just waiting to get it shipped in. I hope this rakes care of the issues that I've been having. Thanks again for all of your help!!!!

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

no problem. it should solve it

[drkerry]

I hope so!!!

[drkerry]

Well what I thought was a done deal, it still won't run with the new fuel pump in it. Do you know anything about the three sensors on the throttle body? I know one is the idle control valve, but not sure what the other two are.

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

Do yu still not think yur having a ECM condition?The Throttle position sensor will not generally keep it frum running . Have yu checked yur fuel filter? To see if it is not restricted heavily? The IAC will cause idle issues , and sumtimes it will kill if its not opening or not start. Those are the main 2 sensors on the throttle body. The air flow meter plays a large part in driveability also.

[drkerry]

I kind of thought that about the IAC sensor. That it works or doesn't. I know I put a new fuel filter in it about two months ago, I cracked the fitting loose and it sprays out when I crank it over. To me it looks like it has a good amount of pressure coming out.
I changed out the mass air flow sensor with a salvage yard piece and it didn't have any effect on it. So it very well could be the ecm givning me problems. The biggest issue is throwing another 500 dollars at it and taking a chance..... I'll see if I can find a used one out of a running vehicle and see what that brings me.
Thanks again!!!!!!

[drkerry]

I noticed a few weeks ago that when I try and crank the car, it doesn't start and I leave the key on. While it's sitting I can hear a clicking or tapping noise inside the intake area. I found a servo type thing on the throttle body that is trying to engage but it has a twitchy like movement to it. I took the servo out and connected power back to it and it still twitches and it's not hard to stop when grabbing it with my fingers. I know it controls another sensor by a ring gear/worm gear set up.

This is the servo that I'm talking about. Not sure what it is for or does but!!?? I don't think it's doing what it's supposed to do.
(IMG:http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/drkerry/IMG_3887.jpg)

(IMG:http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/drkerry/IMG_3888.jpg)

Thanks again!!!

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

There is one otehr thought also , yur injectors could be clogged with debris frum the old pump and line etc. Causing a poor spraying and operation, this is juss a possibility. That looks like the Idle Speed Control Motor

[drkerry]

I put an add out online and a guy responded saying there is a couple Galants in a salvage yard not to far from me. I may go up and grab an ecm and a set of injectors out of one to try it all together and see what happens.

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

When sourcing injectors , they can come frum any Mitsubishi 2.0 engine DOCH or SOCH 1990-1994

[drkerry]

That's good info to know, thank you!!

[KiT TeUnG 2549]

I think even the 1.8 uses the same injectors. No problem . Hope it gets solved.