cant get my 02 lancer to start does anyone know what could be wrong?

Asked by minime02 Jul 06, 2011 at 11:12 PM about the 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer LS

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

i have a new battery and the starter is good! its standard and when i turn key to position ll all lights come on but when i go to start it, it just clicks once and all lights go away! i cant test the alternator cuz it wont run!  has anyone had the same issuse or know what could cause this? when i repalced the battery it started right up and ran for a few days and then that was it! im open to suggestions! please help

11 Answers

1,315

it has to be a slow battery drain from some sorce in the car or the alternator is bad, take the battery out of the car and place it on a charger, then once it has a full charge replace the battery and get the alternator checked. if its not the alternator you know something is draining the battery. I suspect its the alternator

sounds like your alt has stoped charging the battery.bad alt.when you put the new battery in,it had enought charge on it to run your car for a couple of days,so that means the alt is not recharging the battery.also a faulty starter will do the same thing,i would change the alt and go from their.

so i have checked everything out and all three are good! alt starter and battery is new! i got it to start by poping the clutch but once i slowed down to a stop it want to die but i kept reving it up to keep going and make it home! i put a different battery from my wifes car and it starts but does the same thing! i have no clue what else to try! we tested power to alt and starter and all good! tested both alt and starter and they are stil in good shape!

ok replace fuel filter,,it may be cloged up,run a can or bottleof fuel injector cleaner in tank of gas,sea fome is the best.

1 people found this helpful.
135

first start with the basics, you replaced the battery, ensure the connections are good, check both ends of the positive cable then the negative cable, the negative is usually grounded to the block, after that check the connection on the back of the altenator, usually problems like this stem from a bad connection most often on the negative side. When it comes to the idling problem it could be related to the fuel system, if it has been more than 30k miles you are due for a new fuel filter , so you could replace that regardless of what ever else is wrong, id check fuses first, do you have any lights on in the cluster.

1 people found this helpful.

Ok I had the same problem and I dumped a load of money into my lancer but then I looked further into my car and found out I blew my engine cause my intake sucked up water so before dumping money into it check all the wau around your block to make sure there isnt a whole or crack somewhere

95

I've been having the same problem with my '03 OZ Rally. They (Mitsubishi) have checked everything. They pulled my alarm out, my stereo and still have the same problem. I'm not sure what to do with mine! It is pulling the same amount of ampage as if the car is running, yet the car is off and the keys are out! Help me!!!

4 people found this helpful.
10

My 2002 Mitsubishi lancer oz ot started running like I fouled out my plugs then out of no where i turned the key no power i disconnected the neg cable and reset everything it turns over but seems to be no fuel it has a nee fuel pump

1 people found this helpful.

I have a basic 02 lancer ES and its sounds like what's is happening to mine, I go to turn it over and it clicks one sounds like it is making a wine noise.. Well kind of a faint noise all the lights stay on, not sure if its luck or a coincidence but I've been tuning my steering wheel left and right and maybe 2 to 3 times out of 10 I can usually get it to start after about 4 or 5 cranks..idk...but my battery is new and like an idiot I just bought a starter thinking it was the cause....wellllll after blowing $100 that was not the cause, I happen to mention it to my dad he said it sounds like the ignition switch and I price check it at $75..but as of today well as of about 10 minutes ago after I put my new starter in for no goddamn reason is still doesn't start..hints why I'm looking up starting problems...are problems do sound similar except for my lights don't turn off when I go to start it..that's about it..idk if anyone thinks my problems sound different shoot n a reply as to what you think it might be please

there's a chance that the battery terminals are not making a good connection check your terminals and make sure they are tight don't overdo it now just make sure they are secure and make sure that all of the wiring for the positive side it's connected I've made that mistake once because there is two connecting ends or maybe three to my car I don't know about yours I have a few extra electronics in mine but I have had that same problem

there's a chance that the battery terminals are not making a good connection check your terminals and make sure they are tight don't overdo it now just make sure they are secure and make sure that all of the wiring for the positive side it's connected I've made that mistake once because there is two connecting ends or maybe three to my car I don't know about yours I have a few extra electronics in mine but I have had that same problem and also don't use the lead Define at most Auto places I have Chrome and brass connectors I have a brass connector for the positive and Chrome for the

Your Answer:

Lancer

Looking for a Used Lancer in your area?

CarGurus has 131 nationwide Lancer listings starting at $4,977.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Daniel Foster
    Reputation
    360
  • #2
    bejeanntte
    Reputation
    330
  • #3
    Michael McGrail
    Reputation
    310
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
3 Great Deals out of 9 listings starting at $14,795
Used Honda Civic
186 Great Deals out of 4,226 listings starting at $2,499
Used Toyota Corolla
139 Great Deals out of 2,287 listings starting at $3,495
Used Mitsubishi Eclipse
6 listings starting at $4,500
Used Toyota Camry
45 Great Deals out of 1,150 listings starting at $3,900
Used Ford Mustang
54 Great Deals out of 1,606 listings starting at $6,200
Used Honda Accord
53 Great Deals out of 1,019 listings starting at $2,995
Used Subaru Impreza
36 Great Deals out of 652 listings starting at $5,995
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI
27 Great Deals out of 592 listings starting at $6,898
Used BMW 3 Series
63 Great Deals out of 1,233 listings starting at $3,995
Used Lexus IS
29 Great Deals out of 400 listings starting at $5,400

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.