1998 Mitsubishi Montero Periodically will not start

JEAN KENNEDY

MEMBER
1998 MITSUBISHI MONTERO
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
126,000 MILES

Intermittent problems starting. Battery was replaced, cables checked by mechanic and new ends put on, ignition switch replaced.
No engine response when you turn the key, lights radio and heater turn on. Tried starting in neutral - no different. Seems like we open the hood look around check cables and slam the hood and it will start when you try it again.
We have a check engine light on - mechanic said this was not related to the problem but alerting us about something to do with transmission (sorry cant remember exactly but it didn't seem imperative).
Problem occurs weeks apart and sometimes two or three times in one day.
Our mechanic seems clueless since it always starts when he sees it.
Related or unrelated we are not able to get the 4WD to engage.
Thanks
Jean

4 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Jean,

Thank you for the donation.

It could be a loose wire connections or a bad starter relay. I would suggest getting the mechanic to check the starting circuit wire connections and components such as relays etc.

Such intermittent problems are never easy to rectify and would require the problem to be present to be able to identify the cause. When it happens, how did you managed to get it working?

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Saturday, February 21st, 2009 AT 8:56 PM

JEAN KENNEDY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

You ask how we get it to start eventually. We don't know. Usually we get out open the hood, giggle all available wires and slam the hood shut. We both think it is the hood slam that triggers it to start because if you leave the hood open and wiggle wires and keep trying to start it it won't. Usually only when you close the hood and try one more time then it goes. Very fickle. What else can you do! Thanks for responding to me. I will have the starter circuit and relay checked.
We took it in for this problem - shouldn't they have checked this already?
Jean

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Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 AT 8:38 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Jean,

Yes, they should have checked the starting circuit but if the problem was not there, it would not show during tests carried out.

The slamming of the hood could have vibrated some contacts and make it start working again. Such intermittent problems are alwaya a headache to mechanics. Lets hope the relay solves the problem.

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Monday, February 23rd, 2009 AT 6:54 AM

SEEJOE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I have a very similar problem with my 98 montero. Have you found out the cause of your problem? If so, please let me know. I will do the same if I ever figure my problem out. Thanks and good luck!

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Thursday, April 1st, 2010 AT 4:30 PM