Mitsubishi Repair: Mitsubishi timing belt repair, mitsubishi timing belt, crankshaft sensor

Question
QUESTION:
I have a 2000 Galant, 120K miles.
The car wouldn't start and the repair shop said I needed a new timing belt.  I paid them $400 to replace the belt.  However, they told me that the car now is only running with 3 cylinders.  So, I asked around and was told that I most likely need to replace or reset the crankshaft sensor and have the timing adjusted.  Before I invest, what do you think?  And can the dealer "reset" the crankshaft sensor?

ANSWER: John: I have never heard of them resetting a crankshaft sensor if it is bad, in not working right; it needs to be replaced with a new sensor. When the timing belt went, was the engine running in that you were driving the car down the road and it stopped? Because if that happen in most cases that I have seen, the valves are damage. Did the dealer say anything to you about something like that happening? What size engine is in your car? A 4 cylinder or a 6? Maybe you should get a second place to look at your car and see what they tell you. Because something here is not making sense to me. But mean while if they are going to fix that sensor, tell them you want a new one and maybe a read out from the computer to see what it kicks out on a print out. As to what is really going on with your car's engine. Hope this helps and God bless: Linda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Linda,
To answer your questions:  The car is a 4 cylinder, 2.4 L engine.  I was not driving when I had trouble.  I woke and the car wouldn't start.  When I jumped the battery, it started but after work it did not start again.  This time jumping it did not work.  I had the car towed to the mechanic where the battery was warranted.  They told me it wasn't the battery, it was the timing belt.  So I had the timing belt replaced.  (turns out the battery was dead, so I also put in a new battery).  The car runs, but runs choppy.  
Here's what the Auto shop noted: "Performed diagnosis and found the #3 cylinder has low compression. There is aslo a Code PO 335 for the crankshaft position sensor. (we tested and the sensor is working, but may me intermittently failing)."
This diagnosis is after the new timing belt and shaft belt were installed. The car runs, but I would like to know advice on where to go from here. Replace the crankshaft sensor? What does low compression in #3 cylinder mean? And do I need the timing adjusted?  
I've taken good care of this car.  I am the single owner.  The car has 120K miles. I'd like to fix it, but at what cost.
Can you please offer some guidance. Thanks.

Answer
John: But you did drive the car, in that it would not start so you jumped it. The timing belt was weak at that point  but the engine started. I would says if you have low compression on number 3 cylinder, there is a damaged valve there. That is what happens to most cars when that timing belt goes when driving the car. Only in most cases it takes all the valves so you are lucky there. But still if you are going to replace that valve, you just as well do a valve job.  And the crankshaft postion sensor is getting weak, I would replace it. Because it will with time go out. Well listen you are really asking the wrong person about keeping the car, because I had no idea how money you want to put into this car. Or how much you love it. I know with some of my cars I have had through life, I kept for a long, long time no matter the cost or the miles; because I loved that car. You will have to sit down, make a list and then decide. You will have to call around find out what a valve job will cost you. What it will cost to do that sensor. Still in the long run, you will not get much for the car as it is from a dealer in as to trading it off. Are you still making payments on the car? How much money do you want to put into the car? But then heck new cars now days cost an arm and leg, have you got some you would like to part with? lol. John, I would check around and see what kind of money we are talking about. Then decided what you want to do. I would say in the end it will be the cost that will make you decide one way or another. It is funny that the shop put in a new timing belt but did not check the valves at that time. I mean you did run the car, and surely you told them that? I wish shops were more into people and their cars, then the money side of things. But anyway, make that list John, call around and then you will have to see where you want to go. You might see that it would cost to put in a different engine, the problem is once they open the engine up to check those valves they might find something else wrong with the engine. But not always. John, you should go out to a parts store and buy yourself a repair manual for your car. You could read up on things, would know if the shop where you took the car was trying to pull the wool over your eyes if they started in on things. But you would also know things to check, and how to do it. I like people to know all they can about the cars they drive. Most shops are an honest lot but there are a few... Look would you please write back and let me know how this turns out for you. Hope this helps and God bless: Linda