Mitsubishi Montero (1991+). Manual — part 299

widening the gap to 1/4-3/8".

Disconnect spark plug wire

and insert test plug. Ground

plug, crank engine, and

check for spark.

GOOD SPARK

NO SPARK

* 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

the plug and crank engine

while checking for spark.

GOOD SPARK

NO SPARK

* 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.

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.

OK

NOT OK

* Check that battery voltage

* Repair or replace damaged

is at least 11.5 volts.

components as necessary.

NOT OK

OK

* Replace or recharge the

* Check for battery voltage

battery.

at the positive terminal of

the coil.

OK

NOT OK

* Check air Gap of the Pick-Up

* Check resistance of ballast

coil in the distributor.

resistor (if used) for the

correct resistance value.

OK

NOT OK

* Check Pick-Up coil for

* Adjust or replace as

correct resistance value.

necessary.

NOT OK

OK

* Replace Pick-Up coil if

* Check control module for

not to specification.

good ground connections.

OK

* If vehicle fails to run at this point, go to

the appropriate article in the ENGINE

PERFORMANCE section.

OK

NOT OK

* 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.

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

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

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