Lancer 9 turns the starter, but does not start: 12 reasons and solutions

Mitsubishi Lancer IX — a reliable car, but even it is not immune to starting problems. The situation when the starter vigorously turns the engine, but the engine stubbornly does not catch on, is familiar to many owners. In 80% of cases, the problem lies in the fuel system, ignition or sensors, but without system diagnostics it is difficult to accurately determine the culprit.

This article will help you figure out why. Lancer 9 does not start when the starter is running, even if you are not a professional auto electrician. We will look at typical malfunctions - from the banal lack of gasoline in the ramp to rare ECU breakdowns - and also provide checklists for self-checking. We will pay special attention specific "diseases" of Lancer IX with 4G18 (1.6 l) and 4G93 (1.8 l) engines, which often cause such symptoms.

Important: if the engine does not start after a long period of parking (for example, after winter), and the starter turns smoothly, start checking with the fuel pump and spark plugs. If the problem appears suddenly, first of all, pay attention to the crankshaft and camshaft sensors.

1. Checking the fuel system: from tank to injectors

The first thing to exclude is lack of fuel in the ramp. Even if the level indicator arrow shows a remainder, the pump may have failed or the filter may have become clogged. On Lancer 9 with engines 4G18/4G93 the fuel pump is located in the tank, and its resource rarely exceeds 150–200 thousand km.

How to check the gasoline supply without tools:

1. Remove the protective cap from the fuel rail (located on the intake manifold).
2. Press the valve spool (similar to checking tire pressure).
3. If gasoline sprays out in a stream, the pump is working. If it drips or is absent altogether, there is a problem with the supply.

• 🔧 Fuel filter. On Lancer IX it is located under the bottom near the tank. If clogged, the engine may not start or may stall while driving. Replacement frequency is every 30–40 thousand km.
• ⚡ Fuel pump relay. Located in the fuse box under the hood (relay K15). If it fails, the pump does not turn on and gasoline does not flow into the ramp.
• 🛢️ Rail pressure. Norm for 4G18/4G93 - 3–3.5 bar. It is measured by a pressure gauge connected to the fitting on the ramp.

Critical moment: if the pump hums, but does not pump gasoline, most likely coarse mesh The tank is clogged with dirt. In this case, the pump module will need to be removed and cleaned.

2. Diagnostics of the ignition system: spark plugs, coils, wires

If fuel is supplied but Lancer 9 won't start, next in line is the ignition system. On engines 4G18/4G93 Individual ignition coils are used (one per cylinder), which often fail after 100 thousand km.

Signs of coil failure:

• 🔥 The engine “troits” at idle (if you can start it).
• ⚡ On the spark plug wires (if any) traces of breakdown (dark dots) are visible.
• 🛠️ When checking with a multimeter, the coil resistance goes beyond 0.5–1.5 Ohms (primary winding).

How to check a spark without instruments:

1. Unscrew the spark plug from the 1st cylinder.
2. Insert it into the tip of the high-voltage wire (if available) or put on the coil.
3. Press the spark plug against a mass (for example, a valve cover) and try to start the engine.
4. If there is no spark, the problem is in the coil, wires or ECU.

What to do if there is a spark, but it is weak?

A weak spark (pale blue) may indicate:

- Discharged battery (voltage below 11.5 V).

- Breakdown in high-voltage wires (if any).

- Malfunction of the crankshaft position sensor (CPS).

- Poor contact in the coil or ECU connectors.

Symptom	Probable Cause	Verification method
There is no spark on any of the spark plugs	Ignition module or ECU is faulty	Checking the power supply to the coils (12 V with the ignition on)
There is a spark, but the engine does not catch	Incorrect ignition timing (timing timing marks are knocked off)	Checking the marks on the crankshaft and camshaft pulley
There is a spark only on 1-2 cylinders	Individual coils have failed	Replacing the coils (if the problem goes to another cylinder)

Attention! On Lancer IX with engine 4G93 (1.8 l) a common problem is breakdown of coil insulation. If the engine does not start after rain or washing, dry the coils with a hairdryer and check for cracks.

3. Sensors: crankshaft, camshaft, throttle valve

ECU Mitsubishi Lancer 9 for correct launch, it relies on the readings of three key sensors:

1. Crankshaft position sensor (CPS) — without its signal, the control unit does not produce a spark.
2. Camshaft position sensor (CPR) — affects valve timing.
3. Absolute pressure sensor (MAP sensor) — is responsible for correcting the fuel mixture.

Signs of DPKV malfunction:

• 🚗 The starter turns, but the engine does not catch at all (no spark or injection).
• 🔧 The dashboard may light up CHECK ENGINE (error code P0335).
• 🛠️ The sensor is located on the oil pump cover (on the gearbox side). Checked with a multimeter: the winding resistance should be 500–700 Ohms.

If the DPKV is working, but the engine does not start, check:

• 🔌 Sensor connector for oxidation or broken wires.
• 🛠️ The gap between the sensor and the drive disk (should be 0.5–1.5 mm).
• 🔧 Integrity of the drive disc (the teeth should not be worn out or damaged).

Crankshaft Sensor|Camshaft Sensor|Oxygen Sensor|Throttle Sensor|Other-->

Attention! On Lancer IX with engine 4G18 (1.6 l) there is a defect in the DPKV wiring - the wires rub against the gearbox bracket. Inspect the harness for damage to the insulation!

4. Electronic control unit (ECU): failures and diagnostics

If all previous checks have failed, and Lancer 9 still won't start, the problem may lie in ECU (aka ECU). These vehicles use a control unit Mitsubishi MUT-III, which is sensitive to voltage surges and contact corrosion.

Symptoms of ECU malfunction:

• 🚗 The engine does not respond to turning the key (there is no control of the fuel pump and ignition).
• 🔥 All indicators on the dashboard are on or, conversely, nothing is on.
• 💻 When connecting a diagnostic scanner, there is no connection with the unit.

What to do:

1. Check the ECU fuses (F10 and F11 in the block under the hood).
2. Remove the cover of the control unit (located under the glove compartment) and inspect the board for burnt elements or traces of moisture.
3. Check the voltage at the contacts B+ (12 V) and GND (ground) with the ignition on.

Inspect fuses F10 and F11|Check the voltage on pins B+ and GND|Inspect the board for moisture or burnt elements|Check the integrity of the wiring harness from the ECU to the sensors|Reset errors with a scanner (if there is a connection)

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Critical case: if the ECU “died” completely, it can only be restored by flashing or replacing it. On Lancer IX fits block from Mitsubishi Carisma same year of manufacture (firmware adaptation required).

5. Mechanical faults: timing, compression, marks

If the starter turns, but the engine does not start, and all electrical systems are working properly, the cause may be mechanical. On Lancer IX with mileage over 200 thousand km are often found:

• 🔗 Broken timing belt. When the valves break, they collide with the pistons, which leads to engine seizure. Check the integrity of the belt through the inspection window on the protective casing.
• 🔄 Broken timing marks. If the belt has jumped 1-2 teeth, the engine will not start or will run intermittently. The marks are checked on the crankshaft and camshaft pulley.
• 💨 No compression. If the piston rings are critically worn or the valves burn out, the compression drops below 8 atm and the mixture does not ignite.

How to check timing marks without removing the casing:

1. Align the crankshaft to the mark on the pulley (the mark should coincide with the pointer on the cover).
2. Remove the valve cover and check the position of the camshaft - the cams of the 1st cylinder should be directed upwards.
3. If the marks do not match, the belt has jumped and needs to be reinstalled.

To check the compression you will need a compression gauge. Normal values for Lancer IX:

• 4G18 (1.6 l): 12–14 atm.
• 4G93 (1.8 l): 13–15 atm.

The spread between the cylinders should not exceed 1 atm.

6. Immobilizer and alarm: hidden blockers

If all systems are working properly, but Lancer 9 stubbornly won't start, the culprit may be immobilizer or abnormal alarm. These cars often have problems with:

• 🔑 Chip in the key. If the immobilizer does not recognize the key, the ECU blocks the start. The problem can be solved by flashing the chip or replacing the key.
• 📡 Immobilizer antenna. Located around the ignition switch. If the wires are damaged or broken, the connection with the key is lost.
• 🚨 Alarm with auto start. If it is installed incorrectly, it may block the fuel pump or ignition.

How to check the immobilizer:

1. With the ignition on, look at the immobilizer indicator (yellow car with a key). If it blinks or is constantly on, the system does not recognize the key.
2. Try starting the engine with the second key.
3. If that doesn't help, check the immobilizer fuse (F20 in the cabin block).

Attention! On Lancer IX with alarm StarLine or Pandora Often there is a problem with the starter being blocked due to a failure in the immobilizer bypass module. If, after pressing the alarm key fob, the starter does not turn, check the locking relay (usually located under the dashboard).

7. Rare and unobvious reasons

If all the previous steps fail, consider less obvious options:

• 🔋 Low battery. Even if the starter turns, low voltage (less than 11.5 V) can block the operation of the ECU or fuel pump. Check the voltage with a multimeter.
• 🛢️ Airing the fuel system. If there are cracks in the line after the pump, air gets into the fuel and the engine will not start. Check the hoses for leaks.
• 🔥 Catalyst malfunction. If it is clogged, exhaust gases cannot escape and the engine "chokes". Check the back pressure in the exhaust system (there should be normal air flow from the exhaust pipe when starting).
• 💻 ECU firmware failure. After unsuccessful chip tuning or a power surge, the firmware may crash. Solved by flashing.

Special case: if Lancer 9 does not start after washing or rain, check:

• Water entering distributor (on models with ignition distributor).
• Contact corrosion on ignition coils.
• Moisture in connectors crankshaft and camshaft sensors.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about launching Lancer 9

The starter turns, but the engine does not catch. Where to start checking?

Start with the fuel system: check if gasoline is flowing into the rail (press the spool on the rail). If there is fuel, check the spark at the spark plugs. If there is both fuel and spark, but the engine does not start, look at the crankshaft sensor and timing marks.

The engine won't start when it's cold, but it starts when it's hot. What is the reason?

Typical reasons:

• Defective coolant temperature sensor (DTOZH). The ECU receives incorrect data and adjusts the mixture incorrectly.
• Sucks air through cracks in the manifold or gasket.
• Weak compression (gaps are larger when cold, and the mixture does not ignite).

After replacing the timing belt, the engine does not start. What to do?

Most likely timing marks knocked off or the belt is not installed correctly. Check:

• Coincidence of marks on the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys.
• Belt tension (the deflection between the pulleys should be 5–7 mm).
• The integrity of the belt (is there any twisting or damage).

If the marks are knocked off, reinstall the belt according to the instructions.

Is it possible to start a Lancer 9 with a faulty DPKV?

No. Crankshaft position sensor - the only sensor without which the ECU completely blocks the start. Without its signal, the control unit does not know when to spark and inject fuel. If the DPKV is faulty - only replacement.

The starter turns very slowly and the engine does not start. What's the matter?

Probable reasons:

• Discharged battery (voltage below 11.5 V).
• Bad mass between the engine and the body.
• Wear starter bushings (the armature touches the stator).
• Malfunction starter (wear of brushes or windings).

Check the voltage at the battery terminals when starting - if it drops below 10 V, the problem is in the battery or alternator.