Turning over but not starting

[De-icer]

Hey all,
I have a 98 mitsu here that turns over great but just will not even try to start, I can't even get it to hit once, any suggestions? Alomst acts like it's outta gas but I just filled it up.:frustration:

[Suzi-q]

First question - have you done anything to the truck latley? I can't tell you how many times I have had a problem and eventually figured out it was related to something I just did - ie. added a tach and put the coil wires back on wrong or something.

Second - have you verified you have spark? I'm sure there is a smarter/safer way but you can pull a spark plug wire and the spark plug. Put the wire back onto the plug as if the plug was installed. Rest the body/protruding portion of the plug on a good ground (the head or valve cover should work). Make sure you don't have any gasoline close by as we are looking for a spark. Turn the key and let the starter turn the motor several times like you are starting the vehicle and look for a spark from the spark plug. It has to be grounded or this won't work. As small as these trucks are you should be able to do this w/o any help. If you don't get a spark it is time to check all the wires coming from and going to the coil. There should be 12v coming to the distributor when the key is in the run position. Also have a look at the distributor rotor and cap. If you do have spark is there any chance the timing has been changed?

Third question - you said 98 Mitsu - is that fuel injected? We need to verify you are getting fuel. I don't have a FI Mitsu so I have no idea how hard it is to pull an injector but if you can I'd pull one and put it into a glass jar while it is still connected and turn the engine over. Be sure to do this with some caution as there will hopefully be gas shooting out kinda hard. I suppose you could put a rag around it in the jar to help prevent gas shooting out but what fun would that be? If you do have to go this far be sure to have a fire extinguisher handy - if you have it you won't need it.
If you are carb you can just take the fuel line off the carb and do the same as above with the glass jar - NO STYROFOAM unless you want a big mess on your hands.

Got fuel and spark? Double check the timing - still nothing? Got a 12 gauge?

[De-icer]

Thanks for the info, right now I"m having a hell of a time getting the plug out, any tips on pulling the plug? Looking at it from above it doesn't look like it has a hex on it:confused:

[speedy67]

Never seen a spark plug yet that wasn't a hex. The trouble I've had is that I need an intermediate size extension to pull the rear plug, but so far, I've been able to dry up the other 2 and it'll start.

[De-icer]

Me either, but when I look down in there I cannot see a hex, I'm sure it has one but I can't figure out what size socket to slide down in there

[Steves supermini 4x4s]

Me either, but when I look down in there I cannot see a hex, I'm sure it has one but I can't figure out what size socket to slide down in there

DE-ice, Go to the main Mitsubishi forum,scroll down to spark plugs an you have your answer.
Steve
www.stevesautomn.com

[speedy67]

De-ice, it has just occurred to me that perhaps the reason you can't see the hex is because someone has lost the rubber grommet from inside a spark plug wrench in there before. Try pulling the grommet out of yours and then trying the socket in there.

[TetsuKuma]

And you are using the long reach (tool kit) spark plug wrench...or equivalent socket that has been shaved down to fit?

[Montana Moose]

Same problem with a 91, the float valve in the carb was broken, kept flooding out, we had a local service shop build a part to fix,$500 for labor, Ouch. New carb from japan pricless.

www.rockymountainminitrucks.com
Rocky Mountain Mini Trucks

[Spdracr]

I have a 98 Mit but it is EFI. Acted like no fuel but it was getting fuel. My distributor was bad. Has a built in module in it that quit. Put a new distributor on it and runs fine. Put new plugs and wires while I was there and no problems now. Check all fuses first but if they are good and you have fuel and you still cant get it to run, check if you have spark. If not then I bet it is the distributor. I have seen some used ones for sale but just go ahead and spend the money and get a new one and you won't worry about it again...