2007 Mitsubishi Colt - Difficulty Starting - ? Electrical Power Drain Issues

Chiamh on 02/08/2023 - 12:06

Hello Ozb,

Well after my previous post on staying with older cars, of course my wife's car starts to play up.

She has a 2007 Mitsubishi Colt. Last winter it started playing up - specifically having difficulty starting. I never really thought the battery was the main issue but it was replaced anyway with a top of the range Exide Extreme. Didnt fix the problem so several hundred dollars later at an Auto-Electrician they claimed they'd inspected all the electrical systems and there was nothing wrong. They suggested an upper cylinder cleaner which we did, and it was fine until yesterday.

Does anyone have any further suggestions to try? Is it likely to be a starter motor replacement? The starter does turn over but we cant get it beyond that. Spark plugs have also been replaced recently.

Thank you Oz-Auto experts :)

Automotive Mitsubishi Colt

Comments

  • brownsound on 02/08/2023 - 12:19

    The starter does turn over but we cant get it beyond that

    Yup sounds like starter motor is dead, especially with new battery. Should cost couple hundred for parts+labour.

    • Chiamh on 02/08/2023 - 12:29

      Thanks, ill go down that road next.

    • bhubb18 on 02/08/2023 - 12:48
      +3

      If its turning over why would it be the starter motor?

    • JimmyF on 02/08/2023 - 13:11

      Yup sounds like starter motor is dead

      How so young one….. If it is you know turning over, its far from dead.

      • brownsound on 02/08/2023 - 13:24

        i can only speak from experience from a similarly aged Honda Accord with the same symptoms as described in OP's post. Wants to crank but doesnt turn over.

        • JimmyF on 02/08/2023 - 13:34
          +1

          Wants to crank but doesnt turn over.

          In that case, then yes starter motor is dead, replace it.

          But I'm not getting that from the OP post. They say it is turning over.

  • Brian McGee on 02/08/2023 - 12:22

    You should start with this.
    Or maybe just the diagnostic blanket.

    • Chiamh on 02/08/2023 - 12:27

      Haha DPF regen, so glad i dont have a diesel with that anymore!

  • will05 on 02/08/2023 - 12:23

    I would definitely go replace starter motor next.
    I had once overfilled wiper tank leaked causing dead motor.
    https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/maintenance/s…

    • Muzeeb on 02/08/2023 - 12:55

      That's extremely unlucky.

  • JimmyF on 02/08/2023 - 13:15

    Does anyone have any further suggestions to try? Is it likely to be a starter motor replacement? The starter does turn over but we cant get it beyond that. Spark plugs have also been replaced recently.

    When you say the starter motor is turning over, what do you mean? Is the engine turning over at normal starting speed, but just not starting? Then if so, its not the starter motor. If it is turning over slower than normal it might be the starter motor.

    Have you confirmed the spark at the plugs?

    Have you pulled any error codes?

    Does it start at all?

    Honestly if it isn't starting at this point, it might be time to take it somewhere for them to have a look, rather than just replacing random parts in hope.

    It could even be a fuel pump issue too, if you have spark and the motor is turning over correctly.

  • Jaduqimon on 02/08/2023 - 13:16
    +2

    smack the starter motor and see if it helps before replacing. if it works then go replace the starter.

  • JIMB0 on 02/08/2023 - 15:30

    Have you tried replacing the whole car? Might be cheaper than taking a punt replacing part after part.

  • Drakesy on 02/08/2023 - 16:34

    Failed coil packs?
    Failed Fuel Pump?

    I'd just take it to a mechanic and stump up

    Or bin the car.

  • brendanm on 02/08/2023 - 16:56

    From your description I think that it cranks slowly? Check voltage at battery terminals when cranking. Check voltage at starter when cranking.

  • Ghost47 on 02/08/2023 - 18:01

    Maybe one of the spark plugs is bad even though you replaced it.

  • billy72 on 16/08/2023 - 21:22

    check the fuel pump.
    But next time remember your car also has an ozb account so don't trash talk about it on the forum.

  • hothed on 18/08/2023 - 14:16

    Air, fuel, spark. That is what you need to start an ICE car.

    You're saying car is turning over, and you've replaced the spark plugs and the electricals are OK. Therefore that leaves AIR and FUEL, as the only other things required for the car to start.

    Unlikely your airfilter would be completely blocked, so the next check would be fuel. (Fuel pump).

    You could always take off the air intake a spray "start ya bastard" into it while its cranking and see how it goes.

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