Good info folks, thanks!!

So I spoke w/ my service manager today. He got a call back from Tech line. They told him there are 2 problems they are aware of:

1) there is a harmonic resonance coming from the drivetrain which is triggering the ecu to "sense" a misfire. I presume the knock sensor is hearing this resonance. They are working on a reflash for the ecu to sort of "ignore" this resonance. I imagine that's pretty tough to do if the frequency is similar to that of a real misfire/knocking scenario. I believe that's why it's taking them so long to figure this one out.

2) injectors are getting stuck. Tech line has a hunch that this could be caused by people using fuel injector cleaners and/or octane boosters, and the quality of gasoline that people are putting in their cars. I have ALWAYS put 93+ octane in my tank, and never used a FIC/octane booster, so I know that's not my issue, but the injector scenario sounds plausible for my problem and anyone else who actually feels the misfire occuring.

#1 above is not actually a misfire, which is probably why you don't always FEEL the misfire occuring when your SES light goes on. #2 is an actual misfire, however it's a rich-condition misfire so it's not about to blow up your engine. The ecu pulls the timing back and hence the fall-on-its-face drop in power and the vibrations. It makes sense to me at least.

I am taking my car in monday for their technician (who my service manager assures me is one of the sharper knives in the drawer that the service center) to analyze the freeze-frame data in the ECU when this error code is being thrown. From that they will try to determine if there are any parts that can be replaced (likely injectors, maybe plugs?) or if it's just the ECU acting up (in which case I'd be waiting for the reflash).

Thankfully we are making SOME progress on this issue. I'll post back on Monday evening with more information if I have it.

 

thanks for the info chris... i look forward to hearing from you on monday!

 

No problem!

 

I am now having this problem. My dealer could not duplicate it but today on the way home fom the dealership it happened to me. The scenario is travel on the highway for roughly 40 mins at between 65 and 80. Drop to roughly 72 then accelerate to 80 and there is the stutter. It goes back tomorrow. I have assembled some of the posts here into a text file and plan on giving it to them to help them along. Thanks for all the ifo everyone. There is power in numbers.

 

Mine is actually misfireing #2. Oh well, I thought the dealership in the Bay area fixed my problem after having the car for 3 days and putting a new 02 sensor. I picked it up today and 15 min on the highway it started to misfire and the SES light came on. I proceeded to drive it to the Central Valley and it got worse. I call the dispute center and told them I'm taking it straight to the dealership in Modesto and to have someone meet me there. 6 times it's been in the shop with out a cure. Mitsu dispute board is starting the paper work to get me out of this piece of !@$#@#$%$#%. I will never buy another Mitsubishi again. I get really angry and dissapointed when I talk about it. So that's all for now. Good luck with your P0300 problems. I do have to say that the Service folks at both dealerships have been great! Both service managers have driven my car and concur of the problem. They feel bad becouse they can't seem to fix it.

 

jess, so will you be going after a cash settlement or a new car replacement? Sorry it had to come to that for you, but p0300 or not I couldn't give this car up!

 

Hi Chris, yes, I will be going after a cash settlement. I'm sorry too, but when you pay 35K for a car that's suppose to perform as advertised, but fails to cruise down the highway, "it's very dissapointing". My car was a great car when it ran properly. It's absolutely unacceptable for me to be patient and wait for a fix. I spend too much time to the highway and want a car that doesn't skip a beat. Mitsu has had 6 chances to fix this problem! The Evo is not reliable enough for me to to want another. I will do more research before buying my next car.

 

I am almost positive that Mitsu is coming out with a reflash, as the 00-04 Eclipses had the same exact problem as the Evo. We already have a reflash for the Eclipse. My guess is that Mitsu is having a bit of a problem with making a reflash for the Evo at this time. That's what the delay is.

Here's a question for all you guys with the P0300 code, are any of you experiencing fuel pump noise?

 

Alpha Zero, no fuel pump noise here. My old car (330i) had one hell of a loud fuel pump though. The evo fuel pump can't be heard over the stock exhaust I suspect.

jess, good luck and I hope it works out for ya! I agree it's unacceptable. Hence why I'm doing whatever I can to facilitate this getting fixed asap.

 

No , noise here. The dealer called me on Friday to let me know they hadn't re-created the problem and that it wasn't enough for Mitsu to trust my word. They offered to drive the car for the weekend but if they could not replicate the event I was liable for the weekend rental. I agreed, being that is was only $20.00, as long as they promised to drive it under the same condition as I had experienced it the 3 times.
I received a call this morning and they got it to happen. Slightly different scenario. They drove about 40 minutes on the highway and when they were on the off-ramp it happened in 3rd gear. To his description the car was running so badly it felt like a flat tire.
So they are paying for the rental and are working with the tech line to get it fixed. I will keep everyone posted.

 

RedUSEVO, good deal.

My car is at the stealer right now, I'm supposed to get a phone call by 3pm EST.

 

Spoke with Mitsu Corp last Friday and they are now gathering all the info from the dealerships that I have brought my car to for the attemted P0300 fix. My car is still in the shop as I type this. Since last week they have replace an 02 sensor, computer, and other sensors without any luck. The service manager is the test driver. I will hear this week about them buying my car back. I also retained a lawyer just in case. I will not use there dispute/arbitration system. This is where my lawyer comes into play. For those of you that are having this problem, I suggest you contact Mitsu Corp and open a case file. I'll keep you posted.

 

Update...

I just got the car back from my dealership. They are still chatting (meaning, waiting for call backs) from mitsu tech line about the problem. They seem to think my issues fall under the drivetrain vibration problem, which is the reflash effort they are attempting.

Basically they don't know what's up and I'll hear more tomorrow hopefully.

 

Looks like we might have a fix....
I spoke with the Service Manager at Westboro Mitsubishi today. These guys are very good. They told me that they spoke with the Mitsu district rep today and he has seen and corrected this problem before. YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHAT HE IS DOING TO MY CAR...REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION!!!
I asked the SM five times, are you sure. He told me that this guy knew the problem immediately and guaranteed this would work. I asked him what if it didn't? He once again assured me that the regional had just transferred here and has fixed this problem before and that is was most deifinetly the tranny. So, I will sit back and have them install and aftermarket clutch while they are at it. Also put a request in for a 6 speed
Jess, if you like you car outside of this issue, you may want to ask about this.

Just to add...the tech line started to blame the crank sensor but after they duplicated the problem, they knew that wasn't it.

IF YOUR CAR HESITATES WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON IT IS NOT THE SENSOR!

I will keep you guys in the loop.

 

Holy **** that's a huge repair! But you know, if there is some kind of vibration that shouldn't be there, that very well could help. I will dare to suggest this to my SM...