Check engine light?

Tiny
MACKET
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 114,080 MILES
I just bought a used 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse and now the check engine light is on. I do not have a manual. I checked the oil and it is OK. The fan starts on every time you turn the key. Do you have any idea what else I can look at?
Friday, February 19th, 2010 AT 6:47 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

The fastest way to find out the problem is to watch this video

https://youtu.be/vMwTzURWXmk

Please run down this guide and report back.

.
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Friday, February 19th, 2010 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
MACKET
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the reply. The problem has been solved.
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Saturday, February 20th, 2010 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
ARFAUGHT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
How do you reset the check engine light
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You must have the scanner, or fix it, then drive the required number of drive cycles.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ARFAUGHT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
We fixed the problem. We need the drive cycles.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KATIECRONON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
Engine Performance problem
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

my check engine light is flashing and the car seems to not be getting enough gas to it sometimes, but the check engine light will flash 3, 6, and 9 times. Can u tell me what that means, please?
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Go to Autozone and have the computer scanned for code/s to find out why the CEL is coming on, this is your starting point -You have a problem within trhe engine management system.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ARFAUGHT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
Engine problem
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse 4 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 100000 miles

we fixed the problem, and tried disconnecting the battery. Now we need to know the drive cycles to make it reset.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FISHERMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 937 POSTS
Rent an scanner at your local autoparts (autozone) they rent it for free and "erase" the codes, disconnecting the battery wont erase the codes, you should use the command of the scanner.

Good Luck.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIDJM04
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • 115,000 MILES
I have a 97 eclipse spyder gst. The issue im having is that when I give my car gas it feels as though im not getting any power, like its not getting enough gas. Ive already change the fuel injector regulator, which fixed the problem for two weeks. I started my car yesterday and it started doing the same thing out of the blue. Ive checked the spark plugs and wires, they are good. When I hooked it up to the computer it said something is wrong with cylinder 3. I was told that I should replace the ignition coil pack to see if that would help. The check engine light is on. I was also told that an o2 sensor is out. Im just curious if that would cause this problem or if there is something else I could be checking.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
What are the trouble codes retrieved?

If the CEL is indicating, the priority is to get the problem indicated rectified as any fault in the system can affect performance.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LAINIEK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 105,000 MILES
Recently purchased used. In order to pass inspeciton catalytic converter needed to be added, along with other minor repairs.

PROBLEM: Runs intermittently rough (stutters) Check Engine light comes on when car stutters.
And goes off when running ok.
Local mechanic has worked on it and cannot diagnose exact problem, but believes it to be either fuel or electrical problem and said it will either need to get worse, or be consistant to figure out cause. Or he suggested that I take it to dealer for computer diagnostics. To pinpoint problem before it gets worse.
I don't want to put a lot more money into car--if problem is not costly to repair, I will fix, otherwise, I am inclined to get rid of car before it starts bleeding my pocketbook.
I welcome any suggestions or ideas.
I mention the catalytic converter because Car Talk said after market catalytic converters do not always work well. That is the only clue I have to go on.
Thank you.
Lainie K
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONTY STEPHENS
  • MEMBER
  • 79 POSTS
Intermittant problems are very hard to figure out -- let's just go ahead and say say they really can't be solved. Except it would be good to know what the codes were.
You have a fairly old car and if you got it for a good price and the motor is running strong and otherwise in good shape and the transmission and body are OK -- I wouldn't get too discouraged.

An old motor might have just anything wrong with it, and some of it could be inexpensive to fix. If your mechanic is treating you right otherwise, I'd take his advice and hang in there.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LISSYROD06
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 160,000 MILES
I have a 96 eclipse and I just gave it a tune up and after driving it for a day the check engine light came on, the car has not been driven in about a year, and I changed everything in it, gave it new liquids and spark plugs. So what could it mean, what should I check or do?
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Have a scan done to identify the code first and post your findings here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHERYL LAWRENCE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I've been around the block with Mitsu failures so if it happened to your car you can bet it's happened to mine. I got my little baby in poor condition, so it's no wonder. Anyway, my car had this problem too. Turned out the fuse for the check engine light was bad. I hear its a common problem with the 1997 Eclipse. Good luck locating it. :)
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSECERDA93
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 148,000 MILES
2 weeks ago I was driving my car when it started hesitating whenever I would rev it up to around 4-5 rpm it would hesitate bad I changed the oil and spark plugs, nothing happened took it to auto zone and they told me misfire on my 4th cyl I bought the spark plug wires engine light came off but the car was still hesitating a little and was a little shaky and today the check engine light came back on I bought the lucas fuel injection cleaner but I have to wait till I have 1/4 tank and fill it up with the lucas, was also thinking in replacing the fuel filter any other ideas on what it can be? Please
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Misfiring codes is an indication that cylinder not putting 100% when engine running
Spark plugs and tune is 1st to do
Check if have spark on all cylinders and coil firing
Check injector and injector pulse
Do a compression test
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AHMED ALAMEEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 177,122 MILES
I have eclipse 1996 I bought it last month and after 3 days from buying the car the check engine light came on, and yesterday I got a strong shaking in my car, and the engines sound is little loud its came with the shaking at the same time, but its not too loud you cant telll unless u drive it over 40 mil then the sound and the shaking will begin, thank I for your time.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there,

The engine light is a visual indication that there is a set fault code lodged in the ECU, you will need to get a scan done to read this code and this will give us the information needed to sort out this problem, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)

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