1994 mitsubishi lancer misfiring when going up a hill

1994 MITSUBISHI LANCER
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BCOOL14
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Hello i have a 1994 mitsubishi lancer which misfires mostly when im going up a hill when the engine revs are low, if i but it up a gear it dosnt do it? could you please help me
Thank you
Aug 5, 2012 at 12:06 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Check plugs for excessive gaps, check ignition leads and coil as well, start here.
Aug 5, 2012 at 12:43 PM
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BCOOL14
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yeah i have replaced the plugs and leads. also i have replaced the distributor cap and rotor and still haveing the problem
Aug 6, 2012 at 2:12 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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coil, this sounds like an ignition fault under load.
Aug 6, 2012 at 2:58 AM
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BCOOL14
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Ohh ok so do you think if i replace the coil that should fix it?
Aug 6, 2012 at 4:01 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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When a car misfires under load, such as your problem like only going up a hill, this is normally an ignition related problem, as you have addressed the first items that would normally be looked at, that being plugs and leads, the coil is the next item that would be of interest, but before replacing the coil, i would do a comp test just to be sure all is good there.
Aug 6, 2012 at 4:15 AM
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BCOOL14
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ok Thank you verry much
Aug 6, 2012 at 5:33 AM
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BCOOL14
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just another thing that i find weird is when i am going up a hill, say im in forth gear and it is misfiring, if i put it down to third it dosnt misfire
Thank you
Aug 6, 2012 at 5:37 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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The engine is under more load in top gear, drop a gear and the revs increase less torque loading on the engine less load less chance of ignition break down. basically the engine is straining in top gear, often called "lugging" you will experience pretty much the same thing trying to drive off in 3rd on the flat. the engine comps are extremely high when running, much higher than your cranking test, the ignition spark must jump the plug electrode and over come this pressure, the spark will always fine the easiest path to earth, so if the ignition system is under stress due to high torque loads, (lugging up hill) the spark will find an easier path to earth, hence the miss fire.
Aug 6, 2012 at 7:00 AM
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BCOOL14
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ok thank you so if i do a comp test, woulde my lancer be obd2? also the 18 pin obd plug in the car only has 3 wires coming out of it
Aug 6, 2012 at 7:08 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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I think it should be compliant,
Aug 6, 2012 at 7:09 AM
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BCOOL14
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ok thank you so much for your help and the quick responses
Aug 6, 2012 at 7:16 AM
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BCOOL14
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Just one last question do you know where the coil is?, i cant find a cylinder coil anywhere but i heard that it might be in the distributor
Aug 6, 2012 at 9:10 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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If there are only 4 leads from the cap, going to the plugs, the coil will be internal.
Aug 6, 2012 at 9:12 AM
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BCOOL14
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ok thank you
Aug 6, 2012 at 9:16 AM