Mitsubishi Repair: eclipse wont start, crank sensor, computer car

Question
96 eclipse 2.0 engine turns over but won't start.there is no fire at the coil.when the key is switched on the check engine light is displayed i understand this means i have power to the computer.car was running and died with my son driving now it wont restart.

Answer
Rick: If the check engine light is on, it means the computer has found a problem in the system and so kicked on that light. You need to get the car coded, that is when a shop hooks your car's computer into their inshop computer; then the computer kicks up what problem the car's computer is finding. I would say there might be a bad sensor or a weak one someplace in your car. The car's computer controls everything in that engine, there is many sensors through out the engine, which sends ideas I guess we will call them to the computer. And then it sets up the engine on how to run. If the computer finds a problem in the system, it will often not let the engine be started as to save the engine. So the computer could be in some kind of a save mode. But don't know. There is a crank sensor in the distributor cap, you might try to tke the distributor loose, turn it one way or the other to see if the car will start then. But I am betting this is something to do with other sensors but still you need to get the car coded to see what is going on with the check engine light. You need to be thankful your car kick on that light, some don't and then it is hard to find the problem. I do hope this helps and God bless: Linda