Mitsubishi Repair: engine dies at start up, coolant temperature sensor, fidanza flywheel

Question
Hello Linda,

To begin let me introduce my car, it's a 1989 dodge colt 200 gt turbo. It was slightly modified when I bought it, it had an engine swap, the 1.6L turbo was changed for 2.0L from a 90 talon tsi an ECU from a tsi talon was also put in. A Holley 255lps fuel pump was installed, an ACT 2600 clutch was installed with a 12lb fidanza flywheel. I personally installed a maf from a 95 talon tsi.

After I brought it home a wire on the ECU broke off, I tried to start the car for a week before I found the broken wire. After fixing that the car still wouldn't start. I asked for advice, I was told to change the coolant temperature sensor, and I did, still wouldn't crank. I changed the throttle body that I had in a spare parts pile in the trunk of the car, still wasn't starting. So two days I bought some new spark plugs and that did the trick.

Except now when I start the car, it will rev up to 3000 rpm and the engine shuts off. I can give some gas while the engine revs up but it dies out anyway even at 4000 rpm. This happens in a matter of seconds. I just can't seem to keep any idle speed.

I guess a modded DSM wasn't the smartest idea for a first car, but it ran "fine" when I had a test drive, the idle was a bit rough but I fell in love when I felt that baby pull in 3rd gear ... =)

Any input on my problem would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.

Simon

Answer
Simon: What is this love at first sight over a car?? Ah well, are you sure the computer that was put into the car is the right computer for that engine? My fear here is either the computer is not right for that engine or because the engine was swap things are not working out right for the computer. You could still have some sensors out, the computer gets all it's input from all kinds of sensors all over your car's engine. Then in a matter or seconds the computer sets things up for your car to run down the road. But anything is off, the computer does not always know this and so it trying to run the car; from the last good setting. Which makes me wonder if the car has the right computer, or if there might be something not hooked up right or the throttle body that you put together does not work with this computer. There is also a sensor in that too. Did you replace that with a new sensor or just threw it together? It takes three things for a car to run down the road; fuel, air and stark. But the computer has to put all that together in the right line up to make the car run right. You changed the stark plugs, how about the wires or do a tune up? Could be something is stuck, someplace. So the car gets to rev up but then dies anyway. The person you bought the car from, could you talk things over with him or her. Maybe they might shine some light on your problems. I was going to say get a repair manual for your car, but which one would you buy it for the 1989 Dodge Colt or the 1990 Talon. Crazy! Oh wait there is a bit of a 1995 Talon too. How about the distributor cap and rotor. There is another sensor in the distributor cap it is called the camshaft position sensor that might be bad too. And there is a throttle position sensor that might be bad too. When you start to mess with things such as putting in different engines from different years, then you run head on into sensors and computer problems. If there is anyway to get the car to an AutoZone they would code your car for free. But I think I would call them first to explain a bit about the car. Hate to pull the car over to AutoZone and then them telling you they could not coded it because they don't have a plug for your car. I really hope some of my ideas will help you. Think like a car, if you will... You jump into your dream engine and turn the key. There has to be power from the battery to start the starter turning which kicks the engine over, but then you got to have the right settings in fuel, air and stark to keep that engine running. But then the right computer to keep all that going. I understand your problem and I wish I could help you more. I do hope some of this helps you and good luck! :o)