Mitsubishi Repair: Limp Home Mode, mitsubishi eclipse gs, camshaft sensor

Question
I have a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.0 D.O.H.C. 4/cyc. Non-turbo FWD Automatic trans 4/speed w/overdrive A604 (14TE).  For the last year and thousands of dollars!  Car was leaking from trans. and in Limp Mode with NO CODES, on the key codes a 12 which is battery disconnted last 50 key turns and code 55 which is the end code.  I had trans. rebuilt, replacing the pump, torque converter, input,output sensors, solidoid pack. It shifted for a few minutes then back into Limp Mode. Was told ECM was bad, got a reman ECM. Still in Limp Mode w/no codes. Was told TCM bad. Bought a reman TCM dealership went to drive it it shifted for a few minutes they heard a pop.  Something fryed the TCM.? and back into Limp Mode still no codes.  I got a replacement for TCM and a used working good condition Main Wiring Harness off the same exact car was hit in the rear.  Put new TCM and harness on. In Limp mode still a code 54 came up on doing key codes counting how many times check engine light flashes Codes. I replaced the Camshaft sensor still in limp mode but the code 54 was gone. Dealership says it the transmission.  I am working on having the trans shop that rebuilt the trans. which is under warraanty. They have pulled it several times to check it.  Still in Limp Mode. Can you suggest anything on why I can't get this car to shift? Do you think a reman trans will fix it.   I don't know what else to try. If the reman trans fix it the tranny shop will pay for it.  But if it does'nt I have to pay. I've paid so much already!. Any help or answers would be greatly appreciated.

Lisa Tronson

Answer
Lisa,
Sounds like you've done everything right so far.  Many times in these cases, the problem is a bad TCM or, more commonly, a bad harness.  But since you mentioned you've replaced the harness and TCM (several times), I'll rule that out.  Since the tranny shop said they would pay for the reman trans, you may want to take them up on that deal.  There's really nothing else I can think of that could really help.  Though it's a little gamble, you may want to try it.  But if you've simply had it with this car, I could understand if you start to consider to sell it.  Most people with tranny problems, such as yours, give up a lot sooner than you, so I admire your persistence.

Now, there have been reported cases of Eclipses (specifically with manual transmissions and turbos) that tended to have a problem called "crank walk".  What that is is that the crankshaft would move, ever so slightly, back and forth.  It's not supposed to move back and forth at all.  This cuased a problem where it would apply excess pressure on the flywheel, and would eventually damage the clutch.  That caused owners to have to replace their clutch very frequently.  I have not heard of this problem on an automatic, non-turbo Eclipse, but it's just a thought.  You could call your dealership's service department and just ask if they've ever heard of crank walk on your model of car.  Maybe that would give them some more ideas on possible causes to your problem.
Good luck!