Mitsubishi Eclipse / Eclipse Spyder (2000-2002). Service and repair manual — part 343

ENGINE COOLING DIAGNOSIS

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COOLING SYSTEM

14-3

TROUBLESHOOTING STRATEGY

M1141005200124

Use these steps to plan your diagnostic strategy. If
you follow them carefully, you will be sure that you
have exhausted most of the possible ways to find an
engine cooling fault.
1. Gather information from the customer.

2. Verify that the condition described by the

customer exists.

3. Find and repair the malfunction by following the

SYMPTOM CHART.

4. Verify that the malfunction is eliminated.

SYMPTOM CHART

M1141005600092

SYMPTOMS

INSPECTION
PROCEDURE

REFERENCE
PAGE

Coolant leak

1

P.14-4

.

Engine overheating

2

P.14-4

.

Radiator fan and condenser fan do not operate

3

P.14-6

.

Radiator fan and condenser fan do not change speed or stop

4

P.14-13

.

Radiator fan does not operate

5

P.14-15

.

Condenser fan does not operate

6

P.14-16

.

ENGINE COOLING DIAGNOSIS

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COOLING SYSTEM

14-4

SYMPTOM PROCEDURES

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 1: Coolant Leak

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for coolant leaks.

WARNING

When pressure testing the cooling system, slowly
release cooling system pressure to avoid getting
burned by hot coolant.

CAUTION

•

Be sure to completely clean away any moisture from
the places checked.

•

When the tester is removed, be careful not to spill any
coolant from it.

•

When installing and removing the tester and when
testing, be careful not to deform the filler neck of the
radiator.

Check that the coolant level is up to the filler neck. Install a
radiator cap tester and apply 160 kPa (23 psi) pressure, and
then check for leakage from the radiator hose or connections.

Q: Is leakage present from the radiator hose or

connections?
YES : Repair or replace the appropriate part, then go to

Step2.

NO : There is no action to be taken.

STEP 2. Check trouble symptoms.

Q: Is the trouble symptom reproduced?

YES : Return to Step 1.
NO : This diagnosis is complete.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE 2: Engine Overheating

DIAGNOSIS

STEP 1. Check for coolant contamination.

Q: Is the coolant contaminated?

YES : Replace it. Refer to GROUP 00, Maintenance

Service-Engine Coolant (Change)

P.00-52

.

NO : Go to Step 2.

ACX01844 AB

CAP ADAPTER

ADAPTER

ENGINE COOLING DIAGNOSIS

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COOLING SYSTEM

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STEP 2. Check symptoms.

Q: Is the radiator clogged?

YES : Return to Step 1.
NO : Go to Step 3.

STEP 3. Check the radiator cap valve opening pressure.

NOTE: Be sure that the cap is clean before testing, since rust
or other foreign material on the cap seal will cause an improper
reading.
(1) Use a cap adapter to attach the cap to the tester.
(2) Increase the pressure until the gauge indicator stops

moving.

Minimum limit: 64 kPa (9.2 psi)

Standard value: 73

−

103 kPa (11

−

15 psi)

Q: Does the reading remain at or above the minimum limit?

YES : Go to Step 4.
NO : Replace the radiator cap.Then go to Step 6.

STEP 4. Check thermostat operation.
Refer to

P.14-22

.

Q: Does the thermostat operating correctly?

YES : Go to Step 5.
NO : Replace the thermostat, then go to Step 6.

STEP 5. Check the drive belt for loosening or damage.
Refer to GROUP 00, Maintenance Service

−

Drive Belts

(Check Condition)

P.00-40

.

Q: Is the drive belt loose or damaged?

YES : Adjust or replace the drive belt, then go to Step 6.
NO : There is no action to be taken.

STEP 6. Check trouble symptoms.

Q: Is the coolant temperature abnormally high?

YES : Return to Step 3.
NO : This diagnosis is complete.

ACX01845 AB

CAP ADAPTER

ENGINE COOLING DIAGNOSIS

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COOLING SYSTEM

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INSPECTION PROCEDURE 3: Radiator Fan and Condenser Fan do not Operate

AC005064

Radiator Fan and Condenser Drive Circut

<2.4L ENGINE>

AB