Mitsubishi: Dead 90 Galant, running on three, nashville tn

Question
Hi, Bill,

The mighty 1990 Galant died at work and wouldn't restart. It cranked slowly, then it acted as though the starter had disconnected itself and cranked quite fast. Timing belt is intact, engine appears to be turning (but must not be).  Pistons are definitely not moving.

First I thought starter but now I'm not so sure. Any ideas where to start? I might add, she's been running on three cylinders and has 176,000 miles. Could she have suffered the fatal seizure? Help!

Thanks, Bill

Answer
Bill,

Likely suspects include your flywheel maybe missing a few teeth and your starter has found the gap or your starter has lost it's teeth. Pull the starter and inspect the teeth of both the flywheel and the starter. If both are good then consider a new starter.

Bill Kenner
Nashville, TN