I know next to nothing about engines, so If anyone can help shed some light on this problem I would greatly appreciate it.

As the title states this is a 98 GS.

Last night the car died completely while I was driving on the freeway. The car chugged and the check engine light came on, and I lost power. All my electric systems were working though. (lights etc....) When I tried to restart it, it tried to turn over but it just wouldnt start. I ended up having to have it towed home.

now, a couple of things...
a friend of mine who knows a decent amount about fixing cars twiddled with it a bit, and found that:

1. the engine is getting a spark when i turn the ingition
2. the fuel pump seems to be functioning correctly.
3. alternator seems to be functioning correctly.
4. all the fuses checked out fine.

Next:
I have had one place check it out but I like to get second and third opinions before shelling out the money. the place I took it to claims that the valves need to be replaced. I honestly don't believe them, because I had a 1st generation eclipse with valve issues, and i lost power gradually over a period of time. And with my 2nd gen, I havent had ANY power loss except for the sudden loss on the freeway last night when the car died completely.

Can anyone tell me if this sounds like bad valves? or maybe just a timing issue like my friends think it is? I love my eclipse and want to be driving it again ASAP.

thanks very much in advance for any help or advice!

is ur stock or are you modded up or anything?
try the simple things first. plug wires, ignition coil, cam sensor, crank sensor.

Originally posted by eclipse982nrRST
is ur stock or are you modded up or anything? try the simple things first. plug wires, ignition coil, cam sensor, crank sensor.

yup completely stock... not modded..... yet... :)

the plug wires checked out ok.

but I will have the coil, cam sensor and crank sensor checked then.

and since I am practically engine illiterate, can you tell me the kindergarten description of what the cam sensor and the crank sensor do?


your help is much appreciated!

Originally posted by weskerstoybox

Originally posted by eclipse982nrRST is ur stock or are you modded up or anything? try the simple things first. plug wires, ignition coil, cam sensor, crank sensor.

and since I am practically engine illiterate, can you tell me the kindergarten description of what the cam sensor and the crank sensor do? your help is much appreciated!

im sure the search function would be more than happy to explain how they work

more than likey it's not a spark or fuel issue.. that usually makes your car run like shit, but still runs. Will it start now? what did the plugs look like when you pulled them, were they dark black and dirty or white and speckled?

if you got timing issues as in your timing belt snapped than the mechanic was partially correct, you now have valve issues and most likely will need to replace a few valves, but why half as do it? get the whole shibang! of coarse this only applies if your friend is correct and your timing belt is gone, theres a window you can open to look and see if it is your bely i believe its an 8mm screw open it up and see what you got! than let us know a little more and maybe we can help

yeah it sounds like maybe a timing issue. It sounds similar to a problem I've heard with 95 eclipses where they had a defective ECU that after like 50 MPH it craps out and doens't run anymore. But I think that's only a 95 problem.

Do a compression test to see if nothing is wrong with your valves or timing. It sounds like a timing problem O_o

check the relays on the driverside firewall make sure they are still plugged in.

Same thing happened to my car 3 days ago

My timing belt snapped and probably bent some valves. Our engines are interference engines, so if the timing belt snaps chances are high that you bent some valves, and maybe even messed up some pistons.

PM sent.

EDIT:
No need to all bust out the crazy Land Before Time jokes, okay? Let's leave this one intact for future use, as it's a pretty important subject. Thanks.

Originally posted by DR1665
PM sent. EDIT: No need to all bust out the crazy Land Before Time jokes, okay? Let's leave this one intact for future use, as it's a pretty important subject. Thanks.

aww, but I want too!