So I picked up a '92 Mighty Max (2.4L) over the weekend with hopes to save a little gas (over a 1/2 ton pickup) and it's got a few problems.

It is extremely hard to start when cold, like I have to crank it 5-10 times before it will start and lightly hold my foot on the gas pedal to keep it running until it is semi-warm. Once it's warm, it's all good until it cools down again.

While running, it will "buck" when holding the accelerator at a steady speed (say 45 mph), until I mash the pedal a little bit it will smooth out for a little while.

I have done a full tune up - plugs, wires, dizzy cap, rotor, fuel filter, pcv, oil change, and changed the air filter. I want to clean the MAF, but can't get it apart to clean the contacts.

Also, the check engine light is on as is the required maintenance light, is there a way to pull codes? I don't know a lot about these little trucks, I would really appreciate the help.

You need an analog voltmeter. I believe you put the ground on the bottom right pin and positive on top left. Short pause all the way to right means 10, short pause means digit

So long short short short would mean 13.

http://www.motorsforum.com/mitsubishi/H ... -4391-.htm

For a look at some of the fault codes.

Thanks for the link bud. Hopefully I can figure out what is going on with the code(s). What is the deal with the required maintenance light, I mean, what exactly does it mean or cover as far as maintenance?

Its just a reminder to do a tune up, like timing and balance shaft belts, tensioners, water pump, wires, etc.. it goes off every so many miles

I had the same problem as far as the cold start. Get your computer rebuilt. Any time you have weird problems it is likely the computer if it hasn't been rebuilt already. The maint light comes on every 50k and a switch under the instrument cluster needs to be switched to turn off the light.

Cool, thanks for all the help guys, looks like I will start looking for a new computer, even if it happens to not be the problem, I'm sure it will come in hand eventually.

I have one off of a 91 if it will work for $90 shipped. Bought one thinking it was my problem and it was not the issue.

5 speed or auto trans?

Is there any other vehicles I can pull an ECU out of?

You might want to hold off with the ecu, i just had the same problem and I determined it was a fuel related problem.There is a service bulletin for the in tank fuel filter clogging.I changed the pump and filter and it runs like a champ.My 90 2.4 had a hard start then no start during cold temps,I checked the engine control relay on the kick panel on the passenger side with a ohm meter and made sure that wasnt it.But for my fuel problem it was a the rubber fuel line in the tank was rotted and when it was cold the line would collapse on its self and starve its self for fuel.You can go to autozones website for full wiring diagrams of the relay to test the ecu

5 speed. I think we have a winner on the issue. Mine is doing the exact same thing. Cool maybe I will just fix it and sell it for more LOL!.

the cold start is most likely ur choke went bad. thats what happened to my 2.0 and i just put a manual choke in and fixed the problem plus gotta pump the gas a few times but thats it

You may be onto something here...... when I turn the key on I can hear a relay click on the passenger side(like it's working), and when it tries to start, it will have a really rough idle and stumble for a few seconds and die, it will do that a few times before it finally starts and stays running. I have to keep my foot halfway into the gas pedal. It will rev up but as soon as I let off it will start stumbling again like it is starving for fuel. I really hope it is the fuel strainer and not the ecu....

Ok, so I am trying to get the fuel pump out, to check the strainer, and I have found that there is supposed to be an access hole to get to the pump? I can't for the life of me find where it is...... Is this true, or do I have to drop the fuel tank to get to the pump/strainer?

You have to drop the gas tank and pull it all out as a unit from the top. When you drop the tank make sure you don't damage the wires to the pump. Before I dropped the tank I would pull the supply fuel line off and run the pump to see if my issue was in the fuel pump. There is a connector in the engine compartment that is just for testing the pump.