[SoShifty]

I have a 2001 mitsubishi eclipse rs 2.4L that won't start. I replaced the starter, battery and spark plugs. Hoping someone can shed some light. It is cranking but ultimately won't turn over and start. Someone said it could be a bad crank position sensor? I was doing a little looking in my engine bay and found a cable that's unplugged and can't find the other end. Wondering if it's the problem.

 

[DelusionOfSeclusion]

Not too familiar with 2.4L, I have a 3.0L and, not surprisingly, the engines look vastly different. If the engine is cranking, but not starting you can try to spray some starting fluid into the air intake while someone cranks the car. If the car starts briefly, then you might have a bad fuel pump and that needs to be replaced. Not sure what that cable belongs to, but it looks like it connects to something with four prongs so it's probably important. Possibly an O2 sensor.

 

[SoShifty]

Not too familiar with 2.4L, I have a 3.0L and, not surprisingly, the engines look vastly different. If the engine is cranking, but not starting you can try to spray some starting fluid into the air intake while someone cranks the car. If the car starts briefly, then you might have a bad fuel pump and that needs to be replaced. Not sure what that cable belongs to, but it looks like it connects to something with four prongs so it's probably important. Possibly an O2 sensor.

So I posted in another forum and someone said they have their cable hanging their too and it's factory for cruise control but my year and model doesn't have it so it's just kinda there. I've tried spraying starter fluid in while cranking it but it doesn't start at all. I'm getting a spark tester tomorrow to see if I'm having issues there, but also seems like I'm not getting fuel at the same time because even when I try to crank it, I check the spark plugs and they have no fuel on them. Any other ideas? Maybe I'm missing something. Appreciate all the help!

 

[repforenzo]

Codes????

 

[DelusionOfSeclusion]

Try testing fuses and relays related to the starter and fuel pump. Relays are a little tricky to test, but there are lots of videos on YouTube that go over the process. If those are good replace the crank position sensor.

 

[_JT_]

Oof that girl is dirty...
Had same turn-but-not-run issue. Culprit was immobilizer. You MUST push in clutch all the way in when crancking and the key must be original (it has RFID chip inside that is read by the immobilizer). You will see immo key light on the dash if the immobilizer is preventing ignition.

Immobilizer will pin all injectors to ground preventing fuel injection. Sparks will fire normally though.