check engine MITSUBISHI MONTERO 1998 Service Manual
Page 1366 of 1501
TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
1998 Mitsubishi Montero
GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended
to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle
configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting
information is to provide a list of common causes to
problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,
refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available
in the section(s) you are accessing.
ACCESSORIES & ELECTRICAL
CHARGING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended
to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle
configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting
information is to provide a list of common causes to
problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,
refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available
in the section(s) you are accessing.
BASIC CHARGING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION \
\
\
\
\
\
\
Vehicle Will Not Dead battery Check battery cells,
Start alternator belt
tension and alternator
output
Loose or corroded battery Check all charging
connections system connections
Ignition circuit or switch Check and replace as
malfunction necessary
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Alternator Light Loose or worn alternator Check alternator drive
Stays On With drive belt tension and
Engine Running condition, See Belt
Adjustment in TUNE-UP
article in the
TUNE-UP section
Loose alternator wiring Check all charging
connections system connections
Short in alternator light See Indicator Warning
wiring Lights in STANDARD
INSTRUMENTS in the
ACCESSORIES &
EQUIPMENT section
Defective alternator stator See Bench Tests in
or diodes ALTERNATOR article
Defective regulator See Regulator Check in
Page 1369 of 1501
widening the gap to 1/4-3/8".
Disconnect spark plug wire
and insert test plug. Ground
plug, crank engine, and
check for spark.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
GOOD SPARK NO SPARK
\
\b \
\b
\
\
\
\
\
\
* If plug sparks, driveability * Remove coil wire from the
problem is most likely NOT distributor and attach the
in the ignition system. modified spark plug. Ground
\
\
\
\b
the plug and crank engine
while checking for spark.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
GOOD SPARK NO SPARK
\
\b \
\b
\
\
\
\
\
\
* If plug has a good spark, * Proceed to the IGNITION
the problem is in the plug PRIMARY TROUBLE SHOOTING
wires, distributor cap, or CHECK CHART below in this
rotor. Replace components article.
as necessary.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\b
Ignition Primary Trouble Shooting Chart
\
\
\
\
\
\
START: Visually inspect primary ignition wires for
broken, frayed, split, or cut wires. Also check
for loose, corroded, or disconnected connectors.
\
\
\
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\
\
\
OK NOT OK
\b \b
\
\
\
\
\
\
* Check that battery voltage * Repair or replace damaged
is at least 11.5 volts. components as necessary.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\
\
\
NOT OK OK
\b \b
\
\
\
\
\
\
* Replace or recharge the * Check for battery voltage
battery. at the positive terminal of
\
\
\
\b
the coil.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\
\
\
OK NOT OK
\b \b
\
\
\
\
\
\
* Check air Gap of the Pick-Up * Check resistance of ballast
coil in the distributor. resistor (if used) for the
\
\
\
\b
correct resistance value.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
Page 1370 of 1501
\
OK NOT OK
\b \b
\
\
\
\
\
\
* Check Pick-Up coil for * Adjust or replace as
correct resistance value. necessary.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\
NOT OK OK
\b \b
\
\
\
\
\
\
* Replace Pick-Up coil if * Check control module for
not to specification. good ground connections.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\b
OK
\b
\
\
\
\
\
* If vehicle fails to run at this point, go to
the appropriate article in the ENGINE
PERFORMANCE section.
\
\
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\
\
OK NOT OK
\b \b
\
\
\
\
\
\
* Check wires from the battery/ * Replace ballast resistor
ignition switch to the coil. if the measured resistance
Also check the coil primary value is not within
and secondary resistance. specification.
\
\
\
\b
\
\
\
\b
STARTER TROUBLE SHOOTING
NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended
to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle
configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting
information is to provide a list of common causes to
problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,
refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available
in the section(s) you are accessing.
BASIC STARTER TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION \
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Fails Dead battery or bad Check battery charge
to Operate connections between and all wires and
starter and battery connections to starter
Ignition switch faulty Adjust or replace
or misadjusted ignition switch
Open circuit between Check and repair wires
starter switch ignition and connections as
terminal on starter relay necessary
Starter relay or starter See Testing in STARTER
defective article
Page 1371 of 1501
Open solenoid pull-in See Testing in STARTER
wire article
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Does Not Weak battery or dead Charge or replace
Operate and cell battery as necessary
Headlights Dim
Loose or corroded battery Check that battery
connections connections are clean
and tight
Internal ground in See Testing in STARTER
starter windings article
Grounded starter fields See Testing in STARTERS
Armature rubbing on pole See STARTER article
shoes
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Turns Starter clutch slipping See STARTER article
but Engine
Does Not Rotate
Broken clutch housing See STARTER article
Pinion shaft rusted or See STARTER article
dry
Engine basic timing See Ignition Timing in
incorrect TUNE-UP article
Broken teeth on engine Replace flywheel and
flywheel check for starter pinion
gear damage
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Will Not Faulty overrunning See STARTER article
Crank Engine clutch
Broken clutch housing See STARTER article
Broken flywheel teeth Replace flywheel and
check for starter pinion
gear damage
Armature shaft sheared See STARTER article
or reduction gear teeth
stripped
Weak battery Charge or replace
battery as necessary
Faulty solenoid See On-Vehicle Tests in
STARTER article
Poor grounds Check all ground
connections for
tight and clean
connections
Ignition switch faulty Adjust or replace
or misadjusted ignition switch as
necessary
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Cranks Battery weak or Charge or replace
Engine Slowly defective battery as necessary
Page 1372 of 1501
Engine overheated See ENGINE COOLING
SYSTEM article
Engine oil too heavy Check that proper
viscosity oil
is used
Poor battery-to-starter Check that all
connections between
battery and starter are
clean and tight
Current draw too low or See Bench Tests in
too high STARTER article
Bent armature, loose pole See STARTER article
shoes screws or worn
bearings
Burned solenoid contacts Replace solenoid
Faulty starter Replace starter
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Engages Engine timing too far See Ignition Timing in
Engine Only advanced TUNE-UP article
Momentarily
Overrunning clutch not Replace overrunning
engaging properly clutch. See STARTER
article
Broken starter clutch See STARTER article
Broken teeth on engine Replace flywheel and
flywheel check starter pinion
gear for damage
Weak drive assembly See STARTER article
thrust spring
Weak hold-in coil See Bench Tests in
STARTER article
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Drive Defective point assembly See Testing in STARTER
Will Not Engage article
Poor point assembly ground See Testing in STARTER
article
Defective pull-in coil Replace starter
solenoid
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Relay Dead battery Charge or replace
Does Not Close battery as necessary
Faulty wiring Check all wiring and
connections leading to
relay
Neutral safety switch Replace neutral safety
faulty switch
Starter relay faulty Replace starter relay
Page 1373 of 1501
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Drive Starter motor loose on Tighten starter
Will Not mountings attach bolts
Disengage
Worn drive end bushing See STARTER article
Damaged engine flywheel Replace flywheel and
teeth starter pinion gear for
damage
Drive yolk return spring Replace return spring
broken or missing
Faulty ignition switch Replace ignition switch
Insufficient clearance Replace starter
between winding leads to solenoid
solenoid terminal and main
contact in solenoid
Starter clutch not Replace starter clutch
disengaging
Ignition starter switch Replace ignition switch
contacts sticking
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Starter Relay Faulty solenoid switch, Check all wiring
Operates but switch connections or between relay and
Solenoid Does Not solenoid or replace
relay or solenoid as
necessary
Broken lead or loose Repair wire or wire
soldered connections connections as
necessary
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Solenoid Plunger Weak battery Charge or replace
Vibrates When battery as necessary
Switch is Engaged
Solenoid contacts Clean contacts or
corroded replace solenoid
Faulty wiring Check all wiring
leading to solenoid
Broken connections inside Repair connections or
switch cover replace solenoid
Open hold-in wire Replace solenoid
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Low Current Draw Worn brushes or weak Replace brushes or
brush springs as
necessary
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
High Pitched Whine Distance too great Align starter or check
During Cranking between starter that correct starter
Before Engine pinion and flywheel and flywheel are being
Fires but Engine used
Fires and Cranks
Normally
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
High Pitched Distance too small between
Whine After Engine starter pinion and flywheel
Page 1379 of 1501
Water Pump Malfunction Replace Water Pump
Fan Clutch Malfunction Replace Fan Clutch
Retarded Ignition Timing Reset Ignition Timing
Cooling Fan Malfunction Test Cooling Fan/
Circuit
Cooling Fan Motor
Malfunction Test Fan Motor
Cooling Fan Relay
Malfunction Test Fan Relay
Faulty Radiator Cap Replace Radiator Cap
Broken/Slipping Fan Belt Replace Fan Belt
Restricted Exhaust Repair Exhaust System
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Corrosion Impurities In Coolant Clean/Flush System \
\
\
\
\
\
\
Coolant Leakage Damaged hose Replace Hose
Leaky Water Pump Replace Water Pump
Damaged Radiator Seam Replace/Repair Radiator
Leaky Thermostat Cover Replace Thermostat
Cover
Cylinder Head Problem Check Head/Head Gasket
Leaky Freeze Plugs Replace Freeze Plugs
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Recovery System Inoperative
Loose and/or Defective
Radiator Cap Replace Radiator Cap
Overflow Tube Clogged
and/or Leaking Repair Tube
Recovery Bottle Vent
Restricted Clean Vent
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
No Heater Core Flow
Collapsed Heater Hose Replace Heater Hose
Plugged Heater Core Clean/Replace Heater
Core
Faulty Heater Valve Replace Heater Valve
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING
NOTE: This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended
to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle
configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting
information is to provide a list of common causes to
problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting,
refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available
Page 1380 of 1501
in the section(s) you are accessing.
BASIC GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION \
\
\
\
\
\
\
Engine Lopes At Intake manifold-to-head Replace manifold
Idle leaks gasket, See ENGINES
Blown head gasket Replace head gasket,
See ENGINES
Worn timing gears, chain Replace gears, chain or
or sprocket sprocket
Worn camshaft lobes Replace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Overheated engine Check cooling system,
See COOLING
Blocked crankcase vent Remove restriction
valve
Leaking EGR valve Repair leak and/or
replace valve
Faulty fuel pump Replace fuel pump
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Engine Has Low Leaking fuel pump Repair leak and/or
Power replace fuel pump
Excessive piston-to-bore Install larger pistons,
clearance See ENGINES
Sticking valves or weak Check valve train
valve springs components, See ENGINES
Incorrect valve timing Reset valve timing, See
ENGINES
Worn camshaft lobes Replace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Blown head gasket Replace head gasket.
See ENGINES.
Clutch slipping Adjust pedal and/or
replace components, See
ENGINES
Engine overheating Check cooling system,
See COOLING
Auto. Trans. pressure
regulator valve faulty Replace pressure
regulator valve
Auto. Trans. fluid level Add fluid as necessary
too low
Improper vacuum diverter
valve operation Replace vacuum diverter
valve
Vacuum leaks Inspect vacuum system
and repair as required
Leaking piston rings Replace piston rings,
See ENGINES
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Faulty High Low fuel pump volume Replace fuel pump
Speed Operation
Leaking valves or worn Replace valves and/or
springs, See ENGINES
Incorrect valve timing Reset valve timing,See
ENGINES
Intake manifold restricted Remove restriction
Worn distributor shaft Replace distributor
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Faulty Improper fuel pump stroke Remove pump and reset
Acceleration pump stroke
Page 1381 of 1501
Incorrect ignition timing Reset ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Leaking valves Replace valves, See
ENGINES
Worn fuel pump diaphragm Replace diaphragm or
or piston piston
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Intake Backfire Improper ignition timing Reset ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Faulty accelerator pump Replace accelerator
discharge pump
Improper choke operation Check choke and adjust
as required
Defective EGR valve Replace EGR valve
Fuel mixture too lean Reset air/fuel mixture,
See TUNE-UP
Choke valve initial Reset choke valve
clearance too large initial clearance
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Exhaust Backfire Vacuum leak Inspect and repair
vacuum system
Faulty vacuum diverter Replace vacuum diverter
valve valve
Faulty choke operation Check choke and adjust
as required
Exhaust system leak repair exhaust system
leak
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Engine Ignition timing too far Reset ignition timing,
Detonation advanced See TUNE-UP
Faulty ignition system Check ignition timing,
See TUNE-UP
Spark plugs loose or Retighten or replace
faulty plugs
Fuel delivery system Inspect lines, pump and
clogged filter for clog
EGR valve inoperative Replace EGR valve
PCV system inoperative Inspect and/or replace
hoses or valve
Vacuum leaks Check vacuum system and
repair leaks
Excessive combustion
chamber deposits Remove built-up
deposits
Leaking, sticking or Inspect and/or replace
broken valves valves
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
External Oil Fuel pump improperly seated Remove pump, replace
Leakage or worn gasket gasket and seat
properly
Oil pan gasket broken or Straighten pan and
pan bent replace gasket
Timing chain cover gasket Replace timing chain
broken cover gasket
Rear main oil seal worn Replace rear main oil
seal
Oil pan drain plug not Remove and reinstall
seated properly drain plug
Camshaft bearing drain Remove restriction
hole blocked
Oil pressure sending Remove and reinstall
switch leaking sending switch
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Page 1383 of 1501
ENGINES \
\
\
\
\
\
\
High Oil Improper grade of oil Replace with proper oil
Pressure Oil pressure relief valve Eliminate binding
stuck closed
Oil pressure sender or Replace sender or gauge
gauge faulty
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Noisy Main Inadequate oil supply Check oil delivery to
Bearings main bearings
Excessive main bearing Replace main bearings,
clearance See ENGINES
Excessive crankshaft end Replace crankshaft, See
play ENGINES
Loose flywheel or torque Tighten attaching bolts
converter
Loose or damaged vibration Tighten or replace
damper vibration damper
Crankshaft journals Re-grind crankshaft
out-of-round journals
Excessive belt tension Loosen belt tension
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Noisy Connecting Excessive bearing clearance Replace bearing, See
Rods or missing bearing ENGINES
Crankshaft rod journal Re-grind crankshaft
out-of-round journal
Misaligned connecting rod Remove rod or cap and
or cap realign
Incorrectly tightened rod Remove and re-tighten
bolts rod bolts
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Noisy Pistons Excessive piston-to-bore Install larger pistons,
and Rings clearance See ENGINES
Bore tapered or out-of-round Rebore block
Piston ring broken Replace piston rings,
See ENGINES
Piston pin loose or seized Replace piston pin, See
ENGINES
Connecting rods misaligned Realign connecting rods
Ring side clearance too Replace with larger or
loose or tight smaller rings
Carbon build-up on piston Remove carbon
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Noisy Valve Worn or bent push rods Replace push rods, See
Train ENGINES
Worn rocker arms or bridged Replace push rods, See
pivots ENGINES
Dirt or chips in valve Remove lifters and
lifters remove dirt/chips
Excessive valve lifter Replace valve lifters,
leak-down See ENGINES
Valve lifter face worn Replace valve lifters,
See ENGINES
Broken or cocked valve replace or reposition
springs springs
Too much valve stem-to-guide Replace valve guides,
clearance See ENGINES
Valve bent Replace valve, See
ENGINES
Loose rocker arms Retighten rocker arms,
See ENGINES
Excessive valve seat Reface valve seats, See
run-out ENGINES