Intermittent hard starting

Tiny
BLESSING EWOBOR
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 356,234 MILES
Hello, the vehicle does experience hard starting sometimes, the engine will keep on cranking but it won't start while sometimes it would start with easily. I checked for fuel supply, it was okay. The ignition coils were sparking. When I checked the fuel injectors wires it was not pulsing (no power source). Does that mean that the PCM is faulty?
Sometimes the vehicle would start easily, at that time the injectors would be pulsing.
Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 7:49 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hi,

The ECM is in control of the fuel injection. Have you checked connections to make sure nothing is damaged, loose, or corroded? It's odd that it would work on and off as described.

Also, have you scanned the computer to determine if there are diagnostic trouble codes indicating where the problem is starting? If you haven't and the check engine light stays on when the engine is running, have that done. It may be very helpful.

Here is a link showing how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

I realize most people don't own a scanner, but often times a parts store will do it for you free of charge.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
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Thank you, get back to you.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
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It is the ECM that controls the fuel injection as you said. Is it not the ECM that controls the ignition spark? During the hard starting there's spark at the plugs and fuel injector were not pulsing.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Have you checked the MFI relay? See pic below. The MFI relay is located under the console side panel to the left of the radio.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Let me know.
Joe
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
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Is there any difference between the check engine light stays on while the engine is running or stays on while ignition switch is on position and check engine light blinking (on and off) while the engine is running or blinking while ignition switch at "on" position?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 8:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hi,

Yes. If the light is blinking when the engine is running, there is a misfire which is likely related to a fuel or ignition issue. These types of misfires can cause damage to the catalytic converter. If it isn't blinking and you have a misfire code, it is likely emissions related.

Now, when you first turn the key on, the check engine light should turn on. Some stay on until the engine starts and others will turn off before starting. However, it shouldn't blink when the engine isn't running.

I hope that makes sense. LOL

Let me know.
Joe
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
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Yes, it makes sense.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
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Good morning, concerning the article "https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing" you sent earlier, one of the sentences at step 3 " have an idea of what the problem is when you take your vehicle into the repair shop". The "an" should be "no" because if one have idea of what the problem is why should he take it to repair shop, or is it the direction that I am looking it from.
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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

What is meant is the code will get you started on the repair or let you have an idea of what is wrong if you take it to a shop for repair.

Is that what you mean?

Joe
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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
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Okay.
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Monday, October 12th, 2020 AT 8:25 PM

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