Warning Light Hell #2`

As a brief follow-up to the previous blog (http://rutthenut.blogspot.com/2008/01/warning-light-hell.html) I thought I'd best provide the promised-for update.

First, the Jeep is due back soon with it's rebuilt gearbox. That will then need an 'adaptive learning' process so the transmission ECU will get to learn the shift points and characteristics of the reassembled internals (servos, bands, whatever else you have in an auto box). Will just be pleased to have the car back on the road.

Second, regarding the Evo warning light, I used the Tactrix OBD-II cable and some software on my laptop to query the fault codes. That came up with a list of errors, including knock sensor, speed sensor, o2 sensor and others.

To determine if there is a real problem underlying this, I used the 'clear error codes' option and then queried again to see what remained. This came up with a different set of errors, although the knock sensor was again included in the list. Repeating the query gave further sets of error codes.

On that basis, I feel that maybe the actual sensors were fine, but that there may have been some poor connection or maybe even interference (not really expecting that to be the problem). Not being able to get to the dealer at the time, I thought I would wait to see if the error code(s) decided on a repeatable set over the next couple of days.

Also found that it is possible to get error codes reported by shorting a couple of connectors (pins one and four) on the OBD port, which should flash the warning lamp to show tens and units for any errors reported by the system. You would still need to find the list of Mitsubishi error codes for this to be any use, but at least it is easier for most than getting suitable PC, cable and software.

After all of this, the electrical glitch(es) now appeared to have gone. The warning light is no longer showing on the dash, no problems apparent with the car. So, a transient problem. Still find this fairly odd, as I haven't been messing with any of the loom or related parts, so why had it decided to throw a wobbler?

Makes me wish back to the vague behaviour of Italian electrics ;-)
That is one of the reasons I went over to the Japanese marque, expecting reliability.

Maybe I should get myself another Integrale - it used to be quite entertaining trying to guess which of the many gauges was going to do nothing when the engine was turned on. Still love those cars. Much more than the Mitsi. But don't fancy the rust problems, the even-more-expensive running costs, or the limited space.