Subject: Thanks for stalling diagnosis
Question: Your diagnosis of the stallilng problem in the Mitsubishi Eclipse is the only sound one I've seen on the Web - http://www.allexperts.com/previousqv.asp?QuestionID=2689916
My daughter's '94 Eclipse just started stalling - AND she reports a strange clicking noise coming from behind the radio.
We're hoping our mechanic (who, unlike me, didn't try the Web, but to his credit didn't make any expensive repairs, either because he thought they might not work, particularly if it is the computer) will be able to find a remanufactured ECU for us.
Thanks so much!
Dave
Answer: Dave,
I'm glad I had a previous diagnosis that was able to help you. Only a few of my previously answered questions get posted on the AllExperts sites. I have created my own site with all the questions I have answered: http://90gsx.com/eclipse/expert.html

In the past few weeks, I have gotten several questions dealing with starting issues and other strange occurances. I direct those questioners to another site of mine: http://90gsx.com/eclipse/cap/caps.htm
This informs not only Eclipse owners, but all Mitusbishi owners of this pending problem. With the extreme weather conditions the US has had this season, many Mitsu owners with cars older than 10 year are more likely to experience this problem.

This information about the faulty capacitors is not a secret, but is not well known. I've even mentioned this problem to Mitsu mechanics that had no clue what I was talking about (now that is scarey). Since I have an electronics background, I replaced the capacitors myself in my '90 Eclipse. I wasn't having any problems myself, thankfully, but when I looked at my ECU, I saw my caps on the verge of leaking. I replaced my caps just in time.

There are several sites that give instructions on how to replace your capacitors yourself if you have the ambition and knowledge. This is one I used: http://www.tmo.com/howto/ecu1g/caps.htm
You can even go to your local television repairman and he could do this job for you. But odds are, if your ECU is clicking, you'll need to replace it. But have it inspected first. Search the web for remanufacturers of your car's computer. One place that I've seen several has been eBay.
Good luck.. and thanks!