I know I wrote a book here but please be patient and read it. I need some help.
Ok, so I bought a 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse 1.8L 4G37 about two summers ago and have been having some problems with it (it’s a DSM after all). So when I bought it there was surging and dying problem that I was unable to fix so I took it to a mechanic who decided that the ECU was cutting out and so I replaced it with a refurbished ECU. It ran with no problems until just recently but I haven’t been driving it that much because I don’t have insurance. Just about a month or two ago its been having similar symptoms again and I am still unable to diagnose the problem.
It runs fine for several minutes and it seems that the longer it has been since I have driven it the longer it takes to have this problem. For example: If I don’t drive it for a week then it might take 20 minutes to lose power but if I just drove it yesterday then it might only take a quarter mile.
What happens is the RPM’s cut to 0 (it happens at all speeds) and sometimes surge back up and down to 0 again several times before death. When it dies there is a clicking coming from the ECU and you have to wait a minute or two before it will start up again.
I have had several ideas as to what might be causing the problem but have not had any luck so far and I was hoping for some suggestions. I have used the search tool and that’s how I’ve gotten several ideas but I was hoping for some new ones :P .
I was also wondering if the 4G37 has a coil pack and power transistor?
Yesterday I took a video on my camera of the tachometer when the car starts to surge and die and may post a link to it later if that would help. I would have to upload it first though and I’m to lazy at the moment. Let me know and I'll post it.

Thanks.

:00000732:

the link to the vid would help. the 4g37 usually has a distributor, i don't think it ever had a coil pack but please someone correct me if i'm wrong.

how many miles, fuel maintenance?

Well I cant post the vid yet but I will as soon as I can.

The car has about 160k but its not the orgional motor. Im not sure how many miles on this motor. I believe the previous owner said 60k on this motor but he was full of crap :thumbsup:
Im not sure what you mean by fuel maintenance. I have checked the fuel pressure at idle and it seems fine. I dont think there is any junk in the tank but I have been intending to run some injector cleaner/fuel treatment through.
It feels like it could be a fuel cut issue but I'm not sure what would cause it.

all 1.8L had a distributor rather than a coil pack.

and by fuel maintenance he means like, cleaning/unclogging the injectors, replacing the fuel filter, etc...

also i suggest cleaning the throttle body. that might be your prob.

thanks jon, I think thats what I will try next