Mitsubishi GTO TT starting issues please HELP!!

[kawasakisteve]

i have a issue starting the car if i turn the key to the start position the car turns and trys to fire but doesnt start. if i turn the key to start get the starter motor turning wait for it to try to fire and quickly retract the key back to the normal run position i can catch it and it will start up. it seems as if the starter is sapping power from the efi and giving a weak spark etc. it will start normally if its had a good run and i turn all the electrics off in the car (heater,stereo,etc) but i can't find the problem with it and its doing my head in.

ive replaced the battery,re earthed the engine to the chassis,changed the plugs,checked the ignition for bad connections,replaced and modified the fuel pump/relay,stripped the starter motor cleaned and tested it(perfect),disconnected active exhaust motor cause its no longer needed(mongoose system fitted),checked alternator and fixed any minor electrical glitches.

i am now at a loss because the car runs perfect when u get it running apart from every now again it will stall when u clutch it to change down gear i.e approching a roundabout but i think thats the maf getting a little confused due to having a aftermarket induction kit on it (not worried).

any help would be superb as im at a bit of a loss with what it could be i cant think what else would cause a power drain on startup also if i connect a jump starter pack it will start up perfect but the batterys not low cause i can sit for 30 mins trying to get it to start and eventually it will go, sometimes i can catch it first time but somedays its a real pig. thanks

[cptsideways]

There's a fuse buried in the wiring loom on these, can't remember exactly where but the term buried is a good one. I spent weeks trying to fault find one with the same symptoms. It's under the dash somewhere, my mate knows where it is, I'll ask him.

[kawasakisteve]

Thanks. sounds like itll be fun lol. ive spent about 4 weeks trying to find the problem so if i have to strip the dash out then so be it..

[bertelli_1]

Have you tested the ignition switch & wiring to the ignition / fuel relays?

[kawasakisteve]

ive looked at the ignition switch and cleaned it up it give very good continuity readings, also i had to replace the fuel pump realy about 2 weeks ago cause it packed up (probably caused by me poking about the engine bay) and the feul flow is good to the rail but i only know of one fuel pump relay, are there more than 1?

[Cloggie]

If fuel system seems ok and fuel pump runs during cranking, I would monitor the earths and lives to ecu and ignitor pack (jap speak for ignition module) during cranking. A bit of voltage floating around on ecu earths can do some strange things on these.

[Medic-one]

I'd ask your question in one of our two club forums if i was you, loads of GTO people (including specialist mechanics) on both side with a lot of help/tips and advice ;-)

http://www.gtouk.org.uk/phpBB2/index.php

or

http://www.gtooc.org/

[kawasakisteve]

I've fitted another new battery today as I thought the other one was suspect. It has made it better at starting but I think it's covering the problem up not solving it. Someone told me today it might be the cam timing a tooth out which I haven't checked but the argument to that is the car runs perfect once started the engine is really healthy apart from a small top end knock which I think is a dodgy hydraulic lifter