[WhiteSpyder]

I came to this site a few days ago to research a problem I have been having. I'll let you know later if what I learned worked out. I have owned my 2001 Spyder GT since 2005. I bought it used for a commuter car. Apparently it came from Las Vegas. It had been a rental car before it was sold at auction when it's lease expired. After I retired I kept it. It has needed some attention over the years. The suspension got to where it was pretty pounded. I upgraded mine to Koni adjustable shocks. A stiffer sway bar was also added to that package. In it's rental days someone curbed the right two wheels. So during the upgrades they were replaced as well. Now 17"X8.5" with Dunlop rubber is now in place. I am a retired old guy, so the engine is stock. Going to hang around this site for a while and see what pointers I can pick up. ...J.D.

 

[Widgmaster]

Hey JD ... looks like a nice clean car you have there. First let me say Welcome to the site .. I`m surprised no one has welcomed you .. yet after seven days... Keep us informed of what you accomplish.. You kind of look like that guy off the Quaker State Commercial.... 😁

 

[WhiteSpyder]

I just brought the car out of storage this month. I had issues with it that 2 different shops could not find. It is now up and running strong after I found a bad sensor using my own scan tool. I am still waiting to see if I have resolved a P0400 code that kept popping up. I am going to give it another week or so. If it does not come back, I'll take it in for it's smog cert. I am a retired Certified Operating Engineer with previous experience in the auto repair industry. This thing is just for fun. ...J.D.

 

[WhiteSpyder]

I took it out for a errand about sundown last night with the top down. Now I remember why I kept this car. After 3 years in storage, it has some issues to work out. Chassis is creaky. Needs some rubber lube. A/C is acting up. It's idle is still a bit rough, but it is settling down. I have other vehicles, both 4 wheeled and 2 wheeled, but this one is a blast ! One of the last of the 5 speeds !!! ...J.D.

 

[2003BlueEclipseGT]

Welcome!

 

[WhiteSpyder]

The local smog tech tells me I need to put some miles on my Eclipse before their system can certify it. I reset it's codes after some repairs. According to the tech it needs 100-200 miles after the codes are reset or the battery is reconnected. Too much on my plate right now to put the miles in. Been busy with other issues of life. The toys have to wait. ...J.D.

 

[jelazar]

The tech should have told you there more to it than just driving a bunch of miles. There are six Drive Cycles, and some have very specific requirements you have to meet. Like DC 1 requires you to have less than 2/3 tank of gas. So when you have time to mess with it, go to the free factory service manual at tearstone.com and check out the Drive Cycles listed in section 13B page 10. Use your OBD reader to figure out which Drive Cycle you need to complete, then go execute the DC how ever many times it's required.

 

[WhiteSpyder]

Not much getting done on this project. It is 111° outside and was 113° yesterday. (Today is the 59th consecutive day over 100°).Staying in and keeping cool. This may have to wait until the winter months. It gets cold, but at least I have a heated garage to work on it. Just been CRAZY HOT this year ! ...J.D.

 

[Rodger3G]

That looks totally neat! And that's a nice garage

 

[Pearl01Strat]

Fall / Winter project #1 - Insulation and an A/C unit!

 

[WhiteSpyder]

Fall / Winter project #1 - Insulation and an A/C unit!

All it takes is money

 

[Widgmaster]

I think there might be room in the garage for my car too... I need winter storage ......lol

 

[WhiteSpyder]

I think there might be room in the garage for my car too... I need winter storage ......lol

With 2 cars, a crew cab truck, and three motorcycles, I feel your pain. ...J.D.

 

[WhiteSpyder]

Found some time to drive my Eclipse a little more today. It runs real strong but still threw a P0400 code again today. That along

with a bit of a rough idle makes me suspicious of the EGR or it's related controls. Need to look in to this soon because I cannot get.the car smogged until it is fixed. ...J.D.

 

[WhiteSpyder]

Well, it happened again the other day. I had to go to the doctor in the next town north of us. I decided to drive the Spyder because it gets so little exercise. On the way I get caught on a light. The road narrows to one lane a ways ahead. Mr. Cadillac pickup truck slides up next to me in the lane that is ending. I think."when the light changes, I'll just catch him napping and slip away". NOTHING DOING. Mr. Cadillac Cowboy floors it ! At 6000rpm I catch 2nd gear as lightly as possible. I still get a loud chirp and it's ON ! I grab 3rd. hard and we are neck and neck. Old 3.0 winds to 6000 again and I bang 4th. I pull him by a fender length and he runs out of room. Damn car is going to get me in trouble. ...J.D.

 

[Widgmaster]

Old habits die hard so they say. I lost my license 30 years ago for doing stuff like that. Now that I have my license back I refrain from stunt driving.. Your so right J.D that car will get you in trouble..
Yes. Sir. your car is quick like a bunny but I think mine is faster ... I have a cold air intake also but I have all these red hoses .... LOL

 

[WhiteSpyder]

Yup...Bad habits for sure. Been shifting gears for sixty years. I am faster on the draw at almost 76 than I was in my teens. but that much experience is a dangerous thing. Once in a while the reactions kick in before old age and wisdom says "Not a good idea". ...J.D.

BTW: I intentionally bought my car in white to not be noticed.

 

[WhiteSpyder]

Finally getting back to the projects I WANT to work on this month, I have been going over the Spyder's EGR system. I pulled the EGR and tested it. OK there. I also cleaned the EGR ports with spray carburetor cleaner. I have replaced a couple of the vacuum control parts. Nice sunny day today with nothing to do, so I took it out for a test drive. Much better. The rough idle is completely gone. The stepper motor is now adjusting the idle speed as it should. I'll run it around a bit to set it's fuel trims, then take it in for a smog test. No P0400 code so far. Will be nice to have it back in service. ...J.D.

 

[WhiteSpyder]

Took the GT in for a smog inspection today. It PASSED ! ! Makes me feel good that I sorted it out. It had not been licensed since 2017. It is still a work in progress. Needs some A/C work. I think it will need a clutch sometime in the future, and I want to add a modern sound system. I also got it's alarm system and door locks working this month. Had a second key made but need to look into progamming it. ...J.D.

 

[Sisyphus58]

Took the GT in for a smog inspection today. It PASSED ! ! Makes me feel good that I sorted it out. It had not been licensed since 2017. It is still a work in progress. Needs some A/C work. I think it will need a clutch sometime in the future, and I want to add a modern sound system. I also got it's alarm system and door locks working this month. Had a second key made but need to look into progamming it. ...J.D.

If you only have one programmed key now, you will need a dealer or locksmith to program another. When I bought my GT, it came with only one key but I found a local locksmith to program another at a much cheaper price than the local mitsu dealer. Once you have two programmed, you can program a third by yourself. If I were you, I'd call the dealer to get their estimate, then call some locksmiths to find a better deal. IIRC, I only paid about $30 to get one cut and programmed, plus the cost of the correct key from ebay (~$10).
I keep an unprogrammed spare key in my wallet in case I lock my keys in the car, while my second programmed key is locked in a safe at home.