2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse Hard Start? A Grounding Issue Fix Guide

How to Fix Hard Start

Experiencing hard starts with your 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse can be frustrating. It's not uncommon to face such issues as your vehicle ages. As one owner reported: "One thing I noticed is that which my headlights are on it does it a lot worse. To me it’s sounding like maybe a grounding issue somewhere but I’m kinda lost and looking for some hints or guidance, thank you!" (source). This guide will help you understand and address potential causes and fixes, specifically focusing on grounding issues.

Symptoms

Hard starting in your truck can manifest in various ways. You might notice that the engine cranks slowly, or it might take several attempts to get the engine to fire up. In some cases, the engine might crank normally but fail to start at all.

Another symptom, as highlighted by an Eclipse owner, is the correlation between headlight usage and the severity of the starting issue. This suggests a potential grounding problem, where the electrical system struggles to provide sufficient power when multiple components are drawing current. If you observe that starting the vehicle becomes more difficult when your headlights are on, it's a strong indicator of a grounding issue within your electrical system.

Rust can also play a huge role here. A lot of the grounding wires run down to the frame of the car and the connections there can get corroded. If there's rust where the terminal connects to the frame of the vehicle, it can cause resistance issues. "I need a water pipe for my 1990 GST since mine is in rough shape and probably would not last long once I got it on the road. It has rust on the end where the hose would connect and other spots internal spots, In general its got bad rust issues." (source). Although this talks about other rust related issues, its still relevant as these are vehicles that have aged and rust is a huge factor.

Most Likely Cause

Based on owner reports and troubleshooting experiences, the most likely cause of hard starts in your vehicle is a grounding issue. A poor or corroded ground connection can restrict the flow of electricity, making it difficult for the starter motor and other essential components to function correctly. This can be exacerbated when other electrical loads, like headlights, are active, further straining the system.

How to Diagnose

Diagnosing a grounding issue involves a systematic approach to identify and isolate the faulty connection. You'll need a few basic tools for this process.

1. Gather Your Tools: You'll need a multimeter, wire brush, socket set, wrench set, and potentially some sandpaper or emery cloth.

2. Locate Grounding Points: Start by identifying the main grounding points in your vehicle. These are typically located on the engine block, chassis, and near the battery. Consult a repair manual or online diagrams specific to your 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse to pinpoint their exact locations.

3. Visual Inspection: Carefully inspect each grounding point for signs of corrosion, rust, or loose connections. Pay close attention to the contact surfaces between the ground wire, the grounding lug, and the vehicle's frame or engine block.

4. Continuity Test: Use your multimeter to perform a continuity test between the grounding point and the negative terminal of the battery. Set the multimeter to the continuity setting (usually indicated by a sound wave symbol). Place one probe on the grounding point and the other probe on the battery's negative terminal. A good ground connection will show continuity (a beep or a reading close to 0 ohms). A reading of high resistance or no continuity indicates a problem.

5. Voltage Drop Test: With the engine running and headlights on, perform a voltage drop test across each ground connection. Set your multimeter to the DC voltage setting (20V range). Place one probe on the ground wire and the other probe on the grounding point. A voltage drop of more than 0.2 volts indicates excessive resistance and a poor ground connection.

6. Component Isolation: If you suspect a specific component is contributing to the grounding issue, disconnect it and retest the ground connections. This can help you narrow down the source of the problem.

Step-by-Step Fix

Once you've identified the faulty ground connection, follow these steps to repair it:

1. Disconnect the Battery: Before working on any electrical components, disconnect the negative terminal of your battery to prevent short circuits.

2. Clean the Grounding Point: Use a wire brush or sandpaper to thoroughly clean the grounding point and the surrounding area on the vehicle's frame or engine block. Remove any rust, corrosion, or dirt that could be interfering with the connection. As one owner shared: "I need a water pipe for my 1990 GST since mine is in rough shape and probably would not last long once I got it on the road. It has rust on the end where the hose would connect and other spots internal spots, In general its got bad rust issues." (source). This shows how rust is an issue with vehicles as they age.

3. Clean the Grounding Lug: Clean the grounding lug on the end of the ground wire using a wire brush or sandpaper. Ensure that the contact surface is free of corrosion and debris.

4. Reattach the Ground Wire: Reattach the ground wire to the grounding point, making sure the connection is tight and secure. Use a wrench or socket to tighten the bolt or nut to the specified torque.

5. Apply Dielectric Grease: Apply a thin layer of dielectric grease to the grounding point and the grounding lug. This will help prevent corrosion and ensure a good electrical connection.

6. Inspect the Ground Wire: Check the ground wire for any signs of damage, such as frayed wires or cracked insulation. Replace the ground wire if necessary.

7. Add Additional Grounding Straps (Optional): For enhanced grounding performance, consider adding additional grounding straps between the engine block, chassis, and battery negative terminal. This can improve the overall electrical conductivity of the system.

8. Reconnect the Battery: Reconnect the negative terminal of your battery.

9. Test the Repair: Start the engine and test the electrical system to ensure that the hard start issue has been resolved. Turn on the headlights and other electrical accessories to verify that the system is functioning properly.

10. Verify Voltage Drop: Perform a voltage drop test again across the repaired ground connections to verify that the resistance has been reduced to an acceptable level (less than 0.2 volts).

Parts and Tools Needed

• Multimeter
• Wire brush
• Socket set
• Wrench set
• Sandpaper or emery cloth
• Dielectric grease
• Replacement ground wire (if needed)
• Additional grounding straps (optional)

Real Owner Costs

The cost of fixing a grounding issue can vary depending on the severity of the problem and whether you choose to do it yourself or take it to a mechanic.

• DIY Repair: Cleaning and tightening ground connections is a relatively inexpensive repair that can be done yourself for under $20, including the cost of a wire brush, sandpaper, and dielectric grease. Replacing a damaged ground wire can cost between $10 and $30, depending on the length and gauge of the wire.
• Professional Repair: Taking your vehicle to a mechanic for a grounding issue can cost between $100 and $300, depending on the complexity of the problem and the shop's labor rate. This includes the cost of diagnosis, parts, and labor.

Prevention

Preventing grounding issues involves regular maintenance and inspection of your vehicle's electrical system.

• Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect the grounding points for signs of corrosion or loose connections. Clean and tighten the connections as needed.
• Battery Maintenance: Keep your battery terminals clean and free of corrosion. Use a battery terminal cleaner to remove any buildup.
• Protect Ground Wires: Protect ground wires from damage by ensuring that they are properly secured and routed away from heat sources and sharp edges.
• Apply Corrosion Protection: Apply dielectric grease to all ground connections to prevent corrosion.

What Owners Say

Real experiences from MITSUBISHI owners:

Owner Experiences

"My question is do any of you guys know a good place/link to get them that will fit no issues. I know Autozone and O’Rillys will often give wrong parts." — Raider_831 (source)

"My spark plugs look good, spark plugs wires look good and both aren’t old less than 1 year. So my next step is to test my injectors to see if they’re the issue." — Raider_831 (source)

"Here’s where the fuse is shown in the circuit diagram, between fusible link 8 and the ABS Power Relay. You must be logged in to view this image or video." — 19Eclipse90 (source)

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to fix a grounding issue?

A: Cleaning and tightening a loose ground connection can take as little as 30 minutes. Replacing a damaged ground wire or performing more extensive troubleshooting may take a few hours.

Q: Can I drive with a hard start?

A: While you can technically drive with a hard start, it's not recommended for long.

Q: Is this a common issue on my vehicle?

A: Grounding issues are relatively common in older vehicles, particularly those exposed to harsh weather conditions or road salt. Corrosion and rust can degrade the ground connections over time, leading to hard starts and other electrical problems.

Q: DIY vs mechanic - what's recommended?

A: If you're comfortable with basic automotive tools and have some experience working on electrical systems, you can likely fix a simple grounding issue yourself. However, if you're unsure about the diagnosis or repair process, or if the problem is more complex, it's best to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic.