93 eclipse

[emilyemp]

While driving down the highway my car lost power all of a sudden.By this I mean it wouldn't go over 10 miles an hour. I know it isn't the transmission because the engine would not rev. After parking it idled like maybe the timing was off and after being parked for a day it wouldn't even start.It acted like it wasn't getting gas. Well I couldn't hear the fuel pump so I checked to see if it was the relay and the fuel pump did come on when I put a jumper wire to the battery .Checked the EFI relay and it showed to be bad so I replaced that- no help.I was told it could be the distributor so I replaced that- again no help. What else could it be? I'm a single mom on a budget so I have no choice but to do these things on my own but I need a little guidance please.

[EclipseRST]

sorry... i didnt see your post otherwise i would have replied, anyways

what model is your car? GS, GST, GSX? 1.8L or 2.0L

in order for the car to run you need 3 things...

1. compression
2. gas
3. spark

did you check for spark? take a spark plug out and while attached to the spark plug wire lay it on something metal (to ground it out) and watch it for spark while tring to start the car (usually requires 2 people), if spark is good move on to the next.

did you check for gas entering the engine? pull all the spark plugs and pull off your CAS (cam angle sensor) and take a magnet and move the magnet in a circle motion in front of the CAS... while doin that look into each cylinder (flashlight needed) and see if you can see gas/liquid on the pistons, smell gas, or hear the injectors firing... if not, then its in the fuel system somewhere, if so, then move on to the next step...

check for compression, go to autozone and ask to loan the compression tester, $35 up front then you will get that back when you return it with reciept... then check for compression, pull the fuel relay and pull out the spark plugs and screw the compression tester into the head and turn the car over for 30 sec... if gas and spark are good then write down the numbers that you get from each cylinder and post them up here! we'll go from there... good luck

[emilyemp]

It's a 1.8 gs
It's getting fuel but spark seems to be weak and inconsistant.

[emilyemp]

I read somewhere that there are 3 compacitors that go bad on the ECU, could this be it?

[EclipseRST]

yes... you might want to have it tested

[emilyemp]

Just thought that I'd let everyone know that I finally got my car fixed!
Had fire, had spark. Cheated and skipped the compression part(it sounded too good TRYING to start!) .Took out the ECU and checked the compacitors- looked good-replaced the ECU anyway. Still nothing.Caved in and took it apart and lo and behold....a broken balance shaft belt wrapped up nicely in my timing belt!(a timing belt I replaced last year without (I know shame on me) replacing THIS belt Anyway replaced them both , put it back together,STILL won't start. Tear it back apart, check timing again ( I never got it right last year!)put it back together- same thing ARRGGG.Give up gonna call boyfriend (BOO)and while putting the timing belt cover back on I noticed that the timing mark was Way different than on the engine??!!. Tore it back apart tried this point IT STARTED!!!!! Running rough I guess the new ECU has to program everything?But it works and I only spent a little over 100$ cause I found same year model new one in a wrecking yard that I got all the replacement parts from.I guess I'll go ahead and change the plugs and wires to see if that helps the roughness- any recommendations?

[EclipseRST]

still check compression!! sounds like what happend is you bent some valves... so find out what your compression is and go from there, also you will need to set timing with your CAS!

[1stGenRocks]

good try jake but the 1.8 arent interference motors so no bent valves

[emilyemp]

Started overheating on highway today and that's never happened before. I thinked timing is a little too advanced.
"good try jake but the 1.8 arent interference motors so no bent valves"

__________________
-1stGenRocks-

This is another reason why I skipped the compression test