I (actually my girlfriend) has a 95esi and it has been extremely difficult for me to pin point the problem that it has, let me tell you what I've replaced and checked before I explain what the car is doing. I am confident that you people will be able to help me out.

I have replaced/checked the following:

TPS
IAC Valve
Plug Wires
Plugs (correctly gapped too)
Alternator
Starter (5 times actually)
PCV Valve
Checked vacuum connections (correct as far as I know)
Thermostat
EGR Valve

Here's what I've had suggested to me to replace:
CAS
CPS
MAP Sensor
Coolant temp sensor (the one the pcm uses)
PCM (I am trying to avoid this)

Ok, here's the scope of my problem:

Car starts when cold without a problem most all of the time.. however when the car is cold I can here a sound that I can only best describe as a scrapping type noise that can be heard through the intake... this goes away after the car is warm. All the issues with this car are very intermitent. When cruising at a steady throttle position the car sometimes begins to "bog" and sound like the motor is slowing down, throttle response is nothing when this happens, but pumping the throttle a couple times sometimes makes the care buck and come back. I've had it completely die all the way on the highway when this happens, coasting in fifth gear and eventually shifting down through all the gears (to maximize the time I can pump the throttle to possibly get it to respond) until the rpms finally die all the way. Sometimes when sitting at a light the car will idle fine at 800rpms and then for no reason begin holding a steady idle around 1500... and sometimes not so steady jumping around ~100-200 rpms... other times it just dies when sitting at a light after it was idling for a moment. Also, when the car won't start there is a high pitched noise coming from the pcm, I don't know if it is bad or what. I was told if the pcm on this car fails that the car will not start ever, whatsoever, it won't be intermittent it will just be dead. I don't know how accurate that info is.

Also the starter has had to be replaced 5 times because of burnt solenoids. I don't imagine my flywheel is warped as I don't believe this would burn the solenoid, I could be wrong. Also, even with a good starter in the car... when the car dies from the other problem, sometimes the car will not start for shit. It will turn the motor over, and just turn over and turn over... nothing. Sometimes it will start after a while of trying. Other times when turning the key into the start position, nothing, no click, no sound, no starter motor noise, nothing... the only thing that happens is the lights on the dash dim as they would normally when you start a car. I hope someone here can hit this nail right on the head. My girlfriend is extremely unhappy with the car, and now thinks that all DSMs are shitty, including my 91 TSI that is currently going through an engine swap. I can't have this kind of crap attitude towards the brand of cars I love. I am very frustrated because I consider myself pretty good at finding and fixing problems. Please help, I will give my first born as trade.

I should also mention that there is no CEL.

--Jonathan

Today I bought the ECT sensor and installed... I drove probably 50 miles without so much as a hiccup. I am hoping that this was the problem all along and now it is fixed. Just so you all know, i didn't just come in here and ask a question without reading. I've been reading dsm forums for more than 2 years now, I've read the vfaq, and I've done alot of searching about other problems similar to mine. Anyway, I hope this is it. I'll post again if the problem isn't fixed. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated as I do not know that much about the 420a motors. Take care people.

--Jonathan

I just wanted to say, your username rocks

I contributed to the Wiki!
EVO IX - just a really expensive boost gauge and a K&N air filter
96 Eclipse RS -awaiting registration and inspection
95 Eclipse GS - parts car
Mods/Profile - http://www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=cs82685

Haha, thank you. I really am feeling good about the new temp sensor. The car hasn't acted funny at all since I replaced it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though. I've thought I solved the problem before only to have it rear it's ugly head again after about 20 minutes of normal driving... so normally this far into my day I've dealt the car screwing up at least once, if not a couple of times, and so far it's looking good. I will preach to the end of my day that the ECT can screw your drivability big time if it's out of spec. Thank you, I will keep you all posted.

Well, I spoke too soon people. The car is still doing the same thing, although to a lesser degree. It almost died last night when I took it out of gear and was coasting to the light, it went to about 600 rpms and then "caught" itself. I am not sure what could cause such an intermitent problem like this. The air is colder outside than it has been too. I think the problem is something that happens more when it's really hot outside. Please lend advice people.

o2 sensor or MAP sensor sounds like.

-MIKE-

Stroked 2.2L

it sounds more likely like the map sensor i had the same problem but instead of being smart about it i went to the junk yard to replace and it worked but only for a limited time you know adn i dare say it go to dealer to buy this!!!!!

TRUELY BUILT NOT BOUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually since I got another engine light the other night I changed the part that I got the code for. I was pulling away from the stop light and probably had it at 50% throttle as I let the clutch up and the car pulled like it was being given 50% and then it felt as if I was only giving maybe 30%. It felt like I had smoothly let off of the gas a bit and the car wasn't accelerating as much. AT the same time it did this the CEL came on, yay. So it was the TPS again, which pisses me off, I changed it no more than 4 months ago. This time I did the right thing and went to NAPA and bought the part, yes it was more expensive. I am confident that it is not some cheap ass "Wells" brand part that is just going to go out in a couple weeks.

So far, after all yesterday of driving, the throttle response feels alot more "crisper" the car hasn't acted funny at all. It's still going to take a couple days to tell, but if I didn't fix it there's really only a couple things left that it could be.

My girlfriend told me that the car gave her some problems when she was leaving her house earlier. It would start for a moment, and shut back off. She tried to rev it up which sometimes seems to "unstick" it from trying to die immediately and it died anyway. I guess there is still something keeping it from running completely right. I guess my next mode of attack will be the map sensor.

--Jonathan

Could it be a fuel problem? : Mine would almost die a lot about a year ago now. Replaced the fuel filter, no problems since.

Yeah, I'm not sure I mentioned it, but I did replace the fuel pump and fuel filter. It was one of the first things I did to the car. The fuel pressure is good too, I checked it.