| Subject: | mitsubishi mirage |
| Question: | hi there. I own a 95 mirage s coupe, with a 1.5L engine. My problem started when my car started making a noise. I took the car to a repair shop and found that it was the water pump going out. I had it replaced immediately. As soon as that was complete, the car would not start..at all. I was told it was the engine crank position sensor. That too was replaced. Now the car starts and sounds great, but as soon as the accelerator is pressed the engine revs up, and will not stop. The accelerator gets stuck. Now let me go back and tell you that when the car would not start (and it was discovered that i would need a new crank position sensor) the mechanic would pump and pump repeatedly on the accelerator..trying to get it to start. To no avail. Now I'm being told that I need a new accelerator cable. Now before you say anything, I know I need to find a new mechanic and probably sue the one I had. But before I invest any more money into this, I wonder if it is in fact the accelerator cable. I have searched the internet over looking for websites that offer some trouble shoooting tips or anything that might give me some kind of a clue, and that's when I found you. Hope you can offer me some sound advice!! Thanks. |
| Answer: |
Barbara, You are wise to go to a different mechanic. I can understand getting a new water pump. Those usually need replacing every 7-10 years on Mitsubishi cars. The crank position sensors can do bad, and I have heard them going bad on Mirages specifically, but its not that common. I cannot imagine your throttle (acceleration) cable went bad on its own. My guess it that your original mechanic “disturbed” your throttle cable while replacing your Crank Position Sensor. Definitely take it to a different mechanic and have him/her check your throttle cable. The cable itself is just a stainless steel cable, and I've never had to replace one. The reason why your car is revving out of control is probably because your throttle body is stuck open and not closing completely when you let off the accelerator. It can get stuck open for many reasons; a dirty throttle plate is a big culprit. There are little rubber O-rings in your throttle body that can go bad too. That can lead to a sticky throttle plate. But again, I would blame it on the install of your new crank position sensor. That mechanic mostly likely “disturbed” the TPS (Throttle position sensor) and/or the BISS (Base Idle Setting Screw). Have your new, more qualified mechanic thoroughly check your Throttle Body, Throttle Position Sensor, and Base Idle Setting Screw. If it doesn't seem like he knows what you're talking about when you say this too him, find another mechanic. Local garage mechanics usually don't have the patience to read the actual repair manuals for these specific cars, so many times the set these things wrong. Franchise places like Monro Muffler and Midas do a better job, but again may be under-qualified for your situation. A Mitsubishi mechanic from a dealership will definitely have the skills and the tools to fix your car right, but it can be pricey. If you do opt to bring your car to the dealership, arm yourself with the phrases and terms I gave you to tell to the mechanic. Don't mention the throttle cable and see if the mechanic says its bad on his own. Good luck! |