
STARTING SYSTEM
For circuit descriptions and diagrams, refer to
8W-21, Starting System in Group 8W-Wiring Dia-
grams.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING
STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
INSPECTION
Before removing any unit from the starting system
for repair or diagnosis, perform the following inspec-
tions:
²Battery- Visually inspect the battery for indi-
cations of physical damage and loose or corroded
cable connections. Determine the state-of-charge and
cranking capacity of the battery. Charge or replace
the battery, if required. Refer to Group 8A-Battery
for more information.²Ignition Switch- Visually inspect the ignition
switch for indications of physical damage and loose
or corroded wire harness connections.
²Clutch Interlock/Upstop Switch- Visually
inspect the clutch interlock/upstop switch for indica-
tions of physical damage and loose or corroded wire
harness connections.
²Park/Neutral Starting and Back-Up Lamp
Switch- Visually inspect the park/neutral starting
and back-up lamp switch for indications of physical
damage and loose or corroded wire harness connec-
tions.
²Starter Relay- Visually inspect the starter
relay for indications of physical damage and loose or
corroded wire harness connections.
²Starter Motor- Visually inspect the starter
motorfor indications of physical damage and loose or
corroded wire harness connections.
²Starter Solenoid- Visually inspect the starter
solenoid for indications of physical damage and loose
or corroded wire harness connections.
²Wiring- Visually inspect the wire harness for
damage. Repair or replace any faulty wiring, as
required.
8B - 6 STARTING SYSTEMSPL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

STARTING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
STARTER FAILS
TO ENGAGE.1. BATTERY
DISCHARGED OR
FAULTY.
2. STARTING CIRCUIT
WIRING FAULTY.
3. STARTER RELAY
FAULTY.
4. IGNITION SWITCH
FAULTY.
5. PARK/NEUTRAL
STARTING AND
BACK-UP LAMP
SWITCH (AUTO TRANS)
FAULTY OR MIS-
ADJUSTED.
6. CLUTCH
INTERLOCK/UPSTOP
SWITCH (MAN TRANS)
FAULTY.
7. STARTER SOLENOID
FAULTY.
8. STARTER ASSEMBLY
FAULTY.1. REFER TO GROUP 8A, BATTERY. CHARGE OR REPLACE
BATTERY, IF REQUIRED.
2. REFER TO FEED CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TEST AND FEED
CIRCUIT TEST IN THIS SECTION.
3. REFER TO RELAY TEST, IN THIS SECTION. REPLACE
RELAY, IF NECESSARY.
4. REFER TO IGNITION SWITCH TEST, IN GROUP 8D-
IGNITION SYSTEM OR GROUP 8W-WIRING DIAGRAMS.
REPLACE SWITCH, IF NECESSARY.
5. REFER PARK/NEUTRAL STARTING AND BACK-UP LAMP
SWITCH TEST IN GROUP 21-TRANSAXLE. REPLACE SWITCH,
IF NECESSARY.
6. REFER TO CLUTCH INTERLOCK/UPSTOP SWITCH TEST,
IN GROUP 6-CLUTCH (LOCATED WITHIN THE SWITCH
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION). REPLACE SWITCH, IF
NECESSARY.
7. REFER TO SOLENOID TEST, IN THIS SECTION. REPLACE
STARTER ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY.
8. IF ALL OTHER STARTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND
CIRCUITS CHECK OK, REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY.
STARTER
ENGAGES,
FAILS TO TURN
ENGINE.1. BATTERY
DISCHARGED OR
FAULTY.
2. STARTING CIRCUIT
WIRING FAULTY.
3. STARTER ASSEMBLY
FAULTY.
4. ENGINE SEIZED.1. REFER TO GROUP 8A, BATTERY. CHARGE OR REPLACE
BATTERY AS NECESSARY.
2. REFER TO THE FEED CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TEST AND
THE FEED CIRCUIT TEST IN THIS SECTION. REPAIR AS
NECESSARY.
3. IF ALL OTHER STARTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND
CIRCUITS CHECK OK, REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY.
4. REFER TO GROUP 9-ENGINE, FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND
SERVICE PROCEDURES.
STARTER
ENGAGES,
SPINS OUT
BEFORE
ENGINE
STARTS.1. BROKEN TEETH ON
STARTER RING GEAR.
2. STARTER ASSEMBLY
FAULTY.1. REMOVE STARTER. INSPECT RING GEAR AND REPLACE
IF NECESSARY.
2. IF ALL OTHER STARTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND
CIRCUITS CHECK OK, REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY.
STARTER DOES
NOT
DISENGAGE.1. STARTER
IMPROPERLY
INSTALLED.
2. STARTER RELAY
FAULTY.
3. IGNITION SWITCH
FAULTY.
4. STARTER ASSEMBLY
FAULTY.1. INSTALL STARTER. TIGHTEN STARTER MOUNTING
HARDWARE TO CORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
2. REFER TO RELAY TEST, IN THIS SECTION. REPLACE
RELAY, IF NECESSARY.
3. REFER TO IGNITION SWITCH TEST, IN GROUP 8D-
IGNITION SYSTEM. REPLACE SWITCH, IF NECESSARY.
4. IF ALL OTHER STARTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND
CIRCUITS CHECK OK, REPLACE STARTER ASSEMBLY.
PLSTARTING SYSTEMS 8B - 7
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SAFETY SWITCHES
For Removal and Installation of:
²Clutch Interlock/Upstop Switch, refer to
Removal and Installation in Group 6-Clutch.
²Park/Neutral Starting and Back-Up Lamp
Switch, refer to Removal and Installation in Group
21-Transaxle.
STARTER MOTOR
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable (Fig. 10).
(2) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(3) Remove starter bolts (Fig. 11).
(4) Remove starter assembly.
(5) Disengage latch and remove solenoid connector
from starter assembly.
(6) Remove battery positive connector from starter
assembly. It is not necessary to remove the alternator
output lead from the connector.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean corrosion/dirt from the cable and wire
terminals before installing wiring to the solenoid.
(2) Attach battery positive connector to starter.
Ensure alternator output connector is snapped into
the battery positive connector. Tighten the captive
nut to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.).
CAUTION: It is critical that the alternator output ter-
minal be connected to the battery positive terminal
of the starter solenoid, for proper operation of the
charging and cranking systems.
(3) Install solenoid connector to starter. Ensure
that latch is fully engaged.
(4) Position the starter face into transmission
housing. Start bottom mounting bolt and thread in
until bolt is snug.
(5) Attach ground cable to upper starter mounting
bolt.
(6) Ensure the proper starter alignment before
tightening the starter mounting bolts to 54 N´m (40
ft. lbs.) torque.
(7) Lower vehicle and connect negative battery
cable.
STARTER RELAY
The relay is located in the Power Distribution Cen-
ter (PDC). Refer to the PDC cover for relay location.
Fig. 10 Battery Negative Cable Remove/Install
1 ± NEGATIVE CABLE
2 ± NEGATIVE BATTERY POST
Fig. 11 Starter Mounting/Location
1 ± NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE
8B - 8 STARTING SYSTEMSPL

Module (PCM). The EVR is not serviced separately. If
replacement is necessary, the PCM must be replaced.
OPERATION
The amount of DC current produced by the gener-
ator is controlled by EVR circuitry contained within
the PCM. This circuitry is connected in series with
the generators second rotor field terminal and its
ground.
Voltage is regulated by cycling the ground path to
control the strength of the rotor magnetic field. The
EVR circuitry monitors system line voltage (B+) and
battery temperature (refer to Battery Temperature
Sensor for more information). It then determines a
target charging voltage. If sensed battery voltage is
0.5 volts or lower than the target voltage, the PCM
grounds the field winding until sensed battery volage
is 0.5 volts above target voltage. A circuit in the PCM
cycles the ground side of the generator field up to
100 times per second (100Hz), but has the capability
to ground the field control wire 100% of the time (full
field) to achieve the target voltage. If the charging
rate cannot be monitored (limp-in), a duty cycle of
25% is used by the PCM in order to have some gen-
erator output. Also refer to Charging System Opera-
tion for additional information.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
GENERATOR
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable (Fig. 1).
(2) Loosen the jam nut and adjustment bolt.
(3) Raise vehicle and support.(4) Remove accessary drive splash shield (Fig. 2).
(5) Loosen the lower mounting bolt.
(6) Remove the generator drive belt.
(7) Disconnect the generator field circuit wiring
connector. Push theREDlocking tab to release.
(8) Remove the B+ terminal nut and wire.
(9) Remove the upper and lower mounting bolt
(Fig. 3) and move generator off of pivot bracket.
(10) Remove pivot bracket.
(11) Remove Generator (Fig. 4) through wheel
well.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install generator (Fig. 4) through wheel well.
Fig. 1 Battery Cable
Fig. 2 Splash Shield and Belt
Fig. 3 Lower Mounting Bolt
8C - 2 CHARGING SYSTEMPL
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

(2) Install lower pivot bracket and tighten bolts to
54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).(3) Loose install the upper and lower mounting
bolts (Fig. 3).
(4) Connect the generator field circuit wiring con-
nector. Push theREDlocking tab to lock.
(5) Install the B+ terminal nut and wire.
(6) Install the generator drive belt.
(7) Lower vehicle.
(8) Tension belt.
(9) Tighten adjustment bolt.
(10) Tighten the jam nut
(11) Raise vehicle and support.
(12) Tighten lower mounting bolt and tighten bolts
to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)..
(13) Install splash shield (Fig. 2).
(14) Lower vehicle.
(15) Connect battery cable (Fig. 1).
SPECIFICATIONS
GENERATOR RATINGS
TYPE PART NUMBER RATED SAE AMPS ENGINES MINIMUM TEST AMPS
Mitsubishi 4794222AA 85 AMPS 2.0L 75 AMPS
TORQUE
DESCRIPTION TORQUE
Battery Terminal Nut......... 9N´m(75in.lbs.)
Battery Hold Down Clamp Bolt . . 9 N´m (75 in. lbs.)
Generator Mounting Bolt..... 54N´m(40ft.lbs.)
Generator Pivot Bolt......... 54N´m(40ft.lbs.)
Pivot Bracket Bolts.......... 54N´m(40ft.lbs.)
Fig. 4 Generator
PLCHARGING SYSTEM 8C - 3
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

IGNITION SYSTEM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
IGNITION SYSTEM........................1
SPARK PLUGS...........................1
SPARK PLUG CABLES.....................1
ELECTRONIC IGNITION COILS...............2
AUTOMATIC SHUTDOWN RELAY.............2
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORÐPCM
INPUT................................3
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORÐPCM
INPUT................................4
KNOCK SENSOR..........................5
IGNITION SWITCH........................5
LOCK KEY CYLINDER......................5
IGNITION INTERLOCK.....................6
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SPARK PLUG SERVICE....................6SPARK PLUG CABLE SERVICE..............6
IGNITION COIL...........................6
AUTOMATIC SHUTDOWN RELAY.............6
CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR..............6
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR............8
KNOCK SENSOR..........................8
IGNITION SWITCH........................8
LOCK KEY CYLINDER......................9
IGNITION INTERLOCK....................10
SPECIFICATIONS
VECI LABEL............................10
FIRING ORDERÐ2.0L....................10
TORQUE SPECIFICATION..................11
SPARK PLUG CABLE RESISTANCEÐSOHC....11
SPARK PLUG...........................11
IGNITION COIL..........................11
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
IGNITION SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
The system's three main components are the coil
pack, crankshaft position sensor, and camshaft posi-
tion sensor.
OPERATION
Basic ignition timing is not adjustable.The
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) determines spark
advance. The 2.0L engines use a fixed ignition timing
system. The distributorless electronic ignition system
is referred to as the Direct Ignition System (DIS).
SPARK PLUGS
The 2.0L engines uses resistor spark plugs. For
spark plug identification and specifications, Refer to
the Specifications section at the end of this group.
Remove the spark plugs and examine them for
burned electrodes and fouled, cracked or broken por-
celain insulators. Keep plugs arranged in the order
in which they were removed from the engine. An iso-
lated plug displaying an abnormal condition indicates
that a problem exists in the corresponding cylinder.
Spark plugs that have low mileage may be cleaned
and reused if not otherwise defective. Refer to the
Spark Plug Condition section of this group. Aftercleaning, file the center electrode flat with a small
point file or jewelers file. Adjust the gap between the
electrodes (Fig. 1) to the dimensions specified in the
chart at the end of this section by bending the
ground electrode (just above the attachment weld)
with the appropriate tool.
Never apply any force between the electrode or
damage to the center electrode assembly will result.
Always tighten spark plugs to the specified torque.
Over tightening can cause distortion and damage.
Tighten spark plugs to 28 N´m (20 ft. lbs.) torque.
SPARK PLUG CABLES
Spark plug cables are sometimes referred to as sec-
ondary ignition wires. The wires transfer electrical
current from the coil pack to individual spark plugs
at each cylinder. The resistor type, nonmetallic spark
plug cables provide suppression of radio frequency
emissions from the ignition system.
Check the spark plug cable connections for good
contact at the coil and spark plugs. Terminals should
be fully seated. The nipples and spark plug covers
should be in good condition. Nipples should fit tightly
on the coil. Spark plug boot should completely cover
the spark plug hole in the cylinder head cover. Install
the boot until the terminal snaps over the spark
plug. A snap must be felt to ensure the spark plug
cable terminal engaged the spark plug.
PLIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 1

OPERATION
The Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay supplies bat-
tery voltage to the fuel injectors, electronic ignition
coil and the heating elements in the oxygen sensors.
A buss bar in the Power Distribution Center (PDC)
supplies voltage to the solenoid side and contact side
of the relay. The fuse also protects the power circuit
for the fuel pump relay and pump. The fuse is
located in the PDC. Refer to the Wiring Diagrams for
circuit information.
The PCM controls the ASD relay by switching the
ground path for the solenoid side of the relay on and
off. The PCM turns the ground path off when the
ignition switch is in the Off position. When the igni-
tion switch is in On or Start, the PCM monitors the
crankshaft and camshaft position sensor signals to
determine engine speed and ignition timing (coil
dwell). If the PCM does not receive crankshaft and
camshaft position sensor signals when the ignition
switch is in the Run position, it will de-energize the
ASD relay.
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORÐPCM
INPUT
DESCRIPTION
The crankshaft position sensor mounts to the
engine block behind the generator, just above the oil
filter (Fig. 4).
The PCM uses the Crankshaft Position sensor to
calculate the following:
²Engine RPM²TDC number 1 and 4
²Ignition coil synchronization
²Injector synchronization
²Camshaft-to-crankshaft misalignment (Timing
belt skipped 1 tooth or more diagnostic trouble code).
OPERATION
The Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor is a Hall-ef-
fect sensor. The second crankshaft counterweight has
two sets of four timing reference notches including a
60 degree signature notch (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 Timing Reference Notches
1 ± MACHINED NOTCHES
2 ± CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
Fig. 4 Crankshaft Position Sensor
1 ± CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
2 ± OIL FILTER
3 ± GENERATOR
PLIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 3
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

KNOCK SENSOR
DESCRIPTION
The knock sensor threads into the cylinder block.
OPERATION
When the knock sensor detects a knock in one of
the cylinders, it sends an input signal to the PCM. In
response, the PCM retards ignition timing for all cyl-
inders by a scheduled amount.Knock sensors contain a piezoelectric material
which constantly vibrates and sends an input voltage
(signal) to the PCM while the engine operates. As the
intensity of the crystal's vibration increases, the
knock sensor output voltage also increases.
NOTE: Over or under tightening affects knock sen-
sor performance, possibly causing improper spark
control.
IGNITION SWITCH
In the RUN position, the ignition switch connects
power from the Power Distribution Center (PDC) to a
fuse in the fuse block, back to a bus bar in the PDC.
The bus bar feeds circuits for the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM), Proportional purge solenoid, EGR
solenoid, and ABS system. The bus bar in the PDC
feeds the coil side of the radiator fan relay, A/C com-
pressor clutch relay, and the fuel pump relay. It also
feeds the Airbag Control Module (ACM)
LOCK KEY CYLINDER
DESCRIPTION
The lock cylinder is inserted in the end of the
housing opposite the ignition switch.
OPERATION
The ignition key rotates the cylinder to 5 different
detents (Fig. 9) :
²Accessory
²Off (lock)
²Unlock
²On/Run
²Start
Fig. 7 Target MagnetÐTypical
1 ± CAM MAGNET/TARGET
2 ± CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
Fig. 8 Target Magnet Polarity
1 ± TARGET MAGNET
Fig. 9 Ignition Lock Cylinder Detents
PLIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 5
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)