Starting issue

Tiny
RONALD C ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 MITSUBISHI MIGHTY MAX
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,000 MILES
Truck was having a problem starting and starter and battery were replaced. I get a clicking sound when I turn the key in the ignition switch and when I hold the key in the on position and depress the clutch the clutch relay would kick in and start the vehicle sometimes and sometimes not. If I let it roll three inches and let out the clutch then depress it it would start. I can play with the clutch by depressing it in and out and eventually the clicking in the clutch relay switch it would engage the engine and start. Today it would not start just click in something burned under the hood and smoke came out. I could not find any burnt wires. It will roll down the street and start and run when I let the clutch out. Something tells me that a relay under the hood shorted out and caused the smoke. It was minor smoke and then dissipated and was gone. Now it will not start at all just clicks even the clutch switch clicks and no start. But like I said I can roll it down the street pop the clutch and it will start with the key on.
Thursday, June 22nd, 2017 AT 10:16 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,555 POSTS
Sounds like a shorted wire that has finally burnt open or a bad connection. Basically you will need to trace the starter side of the wiring and find the problem, or just run a couple new wires and bypass the OEM wiring if you need to. But check the sub fusible link and the wiring for shorts, a hot wire could have melted the insulation of another wire.
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Friday, June 23rd, 2017 AT 12:42 AM
Tiny
RONALD C ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Thanks Steve. I also have a start ignition relay behind the passenger side kick panel coming this afternoon and then I will check those items you mentioned. If this does not fix it I have a gentleman on Tuesday that is supreme on electrical components and he is going to get it fixed up for me, but I just wanted to try to save some money first. But you are right something shorted and caused that brief moment of smoke. I will find it and thanks for your response.
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Friday, June 23rd, 2017 AT 12:03 PM
Tiny
RONALD C ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Steve you would not happen to have a wiring diagram on the clutch neutral switch for the 1995 Mitsubishi mighty Max so that I can direct wire it past the switch so I know which wires to connect?
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Friday, June 23rd, 2017 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
RONALD C ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Color coded would help.
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Friday, June 23rd, 2017 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,555 POSTS
The clutch switch is on the attached diagram. Looks like nothing but a path to ground. Black wire with a white stripe on one side of the switch that connects to a black wire that goes to ground.
I wouldn't bypass that switch though, forget just once that it's bypassed and it could cause real damage.

The biggest thing will be to make sure that whatever smoked didn't hurt something else. I've seen more than one vehicle that had a "minor" short which put it in the salvage yard because it melted the harness.
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Saturday, June 24th, 2017 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
RONALD C ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Well it happened real quick and was over with. On the smoke. As far as the clutch switch which I can't find one and it's having a problem also so I'm going to hardwire it. I'm the only one that drives it, so I know that if the clutch is not depressed it's still going to start. I've driven a standard all my life for 55 years and I'm 67 now. If I ever sell it I will try to find a switch in the meantime. It's normally open switch until you push the clutch and then it closes to start. I told my wife just to be aware of it. If the burnt wire is in the harness outside of the firewall I can take it apart and I have connectors that I can splice in new wire and then rewrap it. Thanks for your help
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Saturday, June 24th, 2017 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,555 POSTS
So you're still a youngster. If you had a fox&hound tracer you could find it quick, some of the parts places have them for rent. Basically a small weak transmitter, connect it to one wire, follow the wire until the signal stops, break/open will be real close.
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Saturday, June 24th, 2017 AT 3:23 PM
Tiny
RONALD C ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Thanks, I'll check that out! I have a circuit locator for AC current to find a breaker but not one of those. My technician is getting it Tuesday, I'm done after bypassing the neutral switch with a loop wire and still didn't start or the new relay it didn't start either. It will roll start and I'm doing that Tuesday morning and taking it to him and say here find the problem. Thanks for all your help
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Saturday, June 24th, 2017 AT 10:50 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,555 POSTS
They are a handy item to have, the locator you have is the same idea, just made for AC use. The fox and hound can be used the same way if you power down the circuit. You can even connect it at the powered off breaker and track the signal to every outlet/light or circuit path it feeds. Real handy for those "I'm SURE that breaker only feeds this outlet" situations. Then you find the signal on two other outlets and a light.

You're welcome, please let us know what he finds.
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Sunday, June 25th, 2017 AT 5:53 AM

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