Towed...

[Sir C]

Any time I see my Stealth hanging off the ass end of a tow truck is a sad moment...

I stopped for gas, this morning, on the way into work, at the Citco on Broadway in NLR. When I got back in and turned the key she was turning over but not firing up. I checked all my plugs and wires and battery connections and all seemed fine. Had it towed 100 yards diagonally across the street to a shop who called to let me know that it was a computer problem (preventing the injectors from injecting) that they couldn't deal with and that I'd need to take it to a Dodge dealership for service.

"But isn't it really a Mitsubishi?"

"Yeah, but Dodge would know this car better."

So I call Dodge on University who say they don't service anything older than a '96... And then I call Mitsubishi on University who tell me to tow 'er on down, no problem.

I hope that was the head service guy who Marshall said has been there forever...

[Sir C]

Well, this is turning into a real saga...

Little Rock Mitsubishi's Tom called, Friday. The ECM is dead. He didn't have one in stock and would try to order one. This morning he called. He can't get one through the Mitsubishi network but they might have one at Crain Chrysler and he can't call them to find out, so I did. Yes, they have one = $1820.

I do a quick search online and find a place that rebuilds them for $195 with a 24 hour turnaround and 18 month warranty. Tom will do the labour for $270.

If anyone can suggest anything else, within the next 12 hours before I overnight the unit to Florida, I'd be most grateful.

[eyeluvmy3kgt]

Have you got it back yet? I wish i had seen this earlier. You can get rebuilt ECU's at your local parts stores for 300 - 400 i think. and it takes about 15 minutes to put in.

$270 is a ripoff if all they are doing is swapping out the ecm's

[daddy]

FYI "Swapping ECU" is a matter of 5 bolts (2 on each kickpanel + 3 on ECU itself) and unplugging+plugging of the connectors.

[eyeluvmy3kgt]

Originally Posted by Sir C

"But isn't it really a Mitsubishi?"

"Yeah, but Dodge would know this car better."

So I call Dodge on University who say they don't service anything older than a '96... And then I call Mitsubishi on University who tell me to tow 'er on down, no problem.

I hope that was the head service guy who Marshall said has been there forever...

LR mitsu knows what they are doing with these cars... but they will try to empty your wallet.

[Doomtech]

That is no joke, $250 for a plug change, another $00 to replace one injector! They will charge you 2 hours of labor for anything they do just about. And
I can personally change all 6 plugs in 15 minutes if they are gapped,20 if they are not, and an injector? Shit, they sit right on top under the fuel rail, an injector is a 10 minute job! But I beat my head on the plenum for a week trying to get her to run right, Tom and the LR Mitsu guys had her for 2 days and got her running great! Now I have a $600 lighter wallet.

[Sir C]

I got it back last Friday. I sent the ECU off for it's rebuild on Tuesday and got it back on Thursday. Overnight shipping both ways brought the cost to $230. The service was first rate. They said it had been failing for some time and thought I might have noticed. I do now; very smooth, even and responsive.

LR Mitsubishi's $270 did include a $90 tow from NLR... Still, when I saw the actual ECU it was obvious that unless a lot of other stuff had to be shifted out of the way the installation couldn't have been difficult. Nevertheless, it was a lot easier to swallow a $500 total instead of what could've been the better part of two grand. But I will do my best to avoid dealerships in the future.

Doomtech; I saw yours being worked on when I went to pick mine up. Fabulous colour!

[eyeluvmy3kgt]

Glad you guys got your cars fixed. Ya'll should try to make it out to Memphis for the National Gathering in June.

[Sir C]

I'm sure a great time will be had by all and I wish I could partake but I just can't afford it. And I don't think my Stealth, with it's primer coloured front bumper, is up for it either. If I had the cash, right now, I'd be getting the paint work done and maybe a new set of tires. But, for a National Gathering it would be like the ugly duckling at the ball...

[eyeluvmy3kgt]

There are usually a few "ugly ducklings" there.