Parked just fine next day no start

Tiny
TKEMP
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 182,000 MILES
I parked the car running great after driving in a lot of slush that made my belt squelch. The next morning I went to start it and it didn't even try to start up just cranks. After messing with things I got the check engine light to come on and flicker while I'm cranking and once and a while the light will flicker and I can hear what I think is different relays clicking inside and outside of the car and the. It will fire up for just a second and then die even if I am on the gas I cannot figure out what it is. If you can help it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 12:35 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, when you turn the ignition switch to "run" do you hear the fuel pump come on for a couple of seconds?

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 1:55 AM
Tiny
TKEMP
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
No, but I have power to fuel pump and I smell gas after I turn it over.
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 3:30 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, so you have power to the fuel pump and it doesn't come on for a couple of seconds to prime the fuel system like it should when the ignition key is turned to "run", then your fuel pump is probably going to have failed. In the diagrams down below I have included the Original Equipment Manufacturer[OEM] part number for you to reference as well as the instruction guide for the removal and installation of your vehicle's fuel pump. Please go through this guide and get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 4:37 AM
Tiny
TKEMP
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I can jump power to fuel pump and it works, so pump is good. Way ahead of you I'm to point where I think it's this nasty corroded cap and rotor or the crankshaft position sensor.
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Friday, March 6th, 2020 AT 7:41 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Ah hah, good, good. But the fuel pump isn't priming when the key is turned to "run". So now if the fuel pump runs when a jumper wire is attached to it, then you have a problem in the fuel pump circuit's wiring. Let's try this. Run the jumper to the fuel pump and leave it there and try to start your vehicle. Please get back to us with what happens.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Friday, March 6th, 2020 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
TKEMP
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Still doesn't fire up. I checked for spark with a screwdriver, no spark.
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Friday, March 6th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Okay, so let's replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor[CKP] on your vehicle. In the diagrams down below I have included the location of the Crankshaft Position Sensor[CKP]. Please get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Friday, March 6th, 2020 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
TKEMP
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I'm getting ready to tear into the crankshaft sensor, is there any way it could be a bad relay or something else before I start tearing into this sensor? Could the rotor button be doing this?
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Saturday, March 7th, 2020 AT 6:14 AM
Tiny
TKEMP
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Also when I turn the ignition on sometimes the check engine light comes on sometimes it doesn't sometimes it shuts off sometimes it flickers and I can hear relays clicking. I don't know if that helps diagnose the problem anymore.
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Saturday, March 7th, 2020 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,363 POSTS
Yes this helps. it means the PCM could be going out or the MFI relay needs to be replaced. Here is the location of the relay and a guide to help you test it:

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

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Monday, March 9th, 2020 AT 1:38 PM

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