Strange Electrical issue

[efertsman]

Got a 92 Evo 1 GSR. Couple weeks ago after a lowmotion (local forum) ride and stopping at a shell for fuel, I go to start the car and it simply cranks, but does NOT fire up. I keep trying, after about 20 Seconds or so of cranking, the engine fires up! Note that driving conditions seem normal when on the road.

I've so far have been able to start the car around this issue by...
Turning the key into the on position, wait for the check engine light, cat warning light, and turbo light to go off (sometimes up to 20 seconds) leaving only the oil pressure light and battery light remaining. Then the car fires right up, upon ignition, this is both warm and cold.

I've noticed the ISC (Idle Speed Controller) has not been getting power until those cluster lights go out, and the ISC is not the culprit since its the same story with a different one. So starter is getting power, but not the top of the engine I.e no spark.

I've also noticed that after shutting the power off (i.e turning the ignition off) or shutting the car down. There is a click, from behind or underneath the stereo. If the ignition is turn back on before this click, the car starts fine, if after the click, the car will only crank and not fire up for 20 seconds.

could be a bad ground, relay, fuse, but before i spend countless hours investigating maybe someone had this issue before.
any guidance or help would be appreciated.

 

[Lister]

mpi relay could be a bit flakey. Goldy silverish box under the stereo. Shouldn't be hard to replace/ check.

 

[khubner1]

also just so you don't have to hunt very far they're the same as a normal sedan 1.8l injected or even the coupe not sure what you guys call emin canada so wont even guess

 

[Gianni]

I second that relay. Undo the screw on passenger side of the consol. Put your hand behind and you will feel a little metal box with a plug. Held on by a 10mm bolt.

The relay controls fuel pump for priming ect. If the relay isn't working ecu isn't getting a fuel signal so won't bother sending power for spark injection ect. That's how I understand it.

That clicking is normal. Relays click when working. Something else it could possibly be is ignitor or coils.

Before spending money clean all your electrical plugs. So coils Cas ignitor mfi relay. Next take off your fuel return line. Turn key to ignition. See if fuel comes out. Also crank once to see if it squirts some too (that should tell you if fuel pump is priming and running hence tell you if mfi relay is working) I guess for safety unplug Cas so motor won't start

from there get your multi meter out and test ignitits coils Cas are getting power. That's a bit more advanced though. Start with the above

 

[JETGSR]

check that your idle control is working! on startup it opens to allow additional air for combustion.

does the car once started idle ok and does it stall when stopping for lights or stop sign etc (they have stop signs in Canada don't they?)

if you have a adjustable pressure regulator check that the pressure is up at 40 ish on crank (you should have a guage on an adjustable reg)
this will also tell you if the MPI is working

 

[efertsman]

Nooo, we don't have stop signs

We've got Dodge Colts/Mitsubishi Mirages here, 4 Door, which looks like the same chassis.

Okay, seems like most of you think its the MPI.
I dont have a aftermarket regulator, therefore i'll have to rig something for fuel pressure.
I've gone through everything in the engine bay, the car is really clean, all the contacts looked new. I've checked all the wiring.
I'm suspecting fuel, the plugs are bone dry when cranking, no smell of fuel, and i cant hear the pump priming (this is within those 20 seconds)

Noticed that some electric components in the engine bay arnt getting power for those 20 seconds.
Not the same in the cab, everything working upon ignition (ie stereo, climate, cluster, turbo timer.)

The car runs fine once started, no idle issues.

Its the first 20 seconds with the igniton in the "ON" position that the car won't start, with cranking.
After those 20 seconds, it fires up. I just cant seem to understand how I will find the issue since its intermittent.
Like a fuse or relay (something) wont do its thing for that time frame.

 

[JETGSR]

do a comp test! on all four pots no plugs WOT 6 turns of the motor should be 150 - 180
if you have a low one below 120 this could cause the lak of start - but even at 120 I would still think it would fire sooner

rule of thumb under 80-100 bastard probably wont start.