G’day all. New member here with a concern with my new-to-me Magna. It’s my third Magna – I’ve owned a TN and a TR, so I guess I’ve become a Magna man.

Vehicle: 94 TS SE wagon, 2.6 EFI, auto trans, dual fuel (LPG installed in ’07).

Background: I’m new to auto trans and LPG. I’ve searched the forum and found out what A/T Mode and O/D are all about (thanks).

Problem: When starting on Petrol, the Check Engine light comes on and goes off a few seconds later as expected. However, when I get up to about 60kmh it comes on again and stays on. This is worrying, since I had to replace the computer on the old TR after experiencing similar symptoms.

When starting on Gas the Check Engine light does not come on at all. Is this normal? I’ve searched and cannot find any info on this. I normally run on gas but I have heard that it is good to run on petrol occasionally to keep everything happy.

I would appreciate any clues. Specifically, what could be causing the Check Engine light to come on at 60kmh and why does it not light up at all when on LPG?

ps: I have a reasonable set of tools and have some Magna mechanical experience (most recently had to replace the TR head and timing chain in a carpark 500kms from home – not pleasant). I have the old TR for spares and have downloaded the manual.

I read somwhere on a forum about
these motors running on gas
think the engine light may only be from the

reading from the 02 sensor difference between gas and unleaded fuel

Thanks Magnabuff. If I get you right you are saying that the normal functioning of the Check Engine light is bypassed when on gas. Goodo.

I've done some more reading here about the Check Engine light, the computer and the codes and so on. It's going to be an adventure. My mechanical background is almost entirely to do with air-cooled boxer engines - veedub and beemer. I'm only just coming to terms with all that messy coolant business. Grin.

Bump. I’m wondering about the fact that the Check Engine lamp comes on when on petrol (ignition on, engine not running) but does not when switched to gas. Is this a normal arrangement? Anyone out there with a dual fuel Magna? It’s an aftermarket gas conversion, by the way.

The Check Engine light comes on a couple of minutes after cold start and doesn’t go away, at least in the time I am prepared to spend looking at the damn thing. Today after a 20km run on gas I switched over to petrol and went for a good fast run along some country roads. The Check Engine light did not come on at all. It felt good giving the old girl her head and gratuitously burning some fossil fuel (remember the olden days? When you could just ‘go for a drive’). The significance is that it appears that the CE lamp coming on may be temperature related. What’s causing it still has to be tracked down.

I’ve read in the manual that the codes can be read with an analogue voltmeter but I don’t have access to one. Would it be possible to read the codes with a 12v test lamp instead? Am I best to just take it to Mitsubishi and pay to get a diagnosis? I’m blundering around here in what looks like a very complicated world of sensors and mysterious black boxes. I feel as though this car is dragging me into the 21st century, yet it’s only a 1994 model.

Any clues appreciated. Karmic rewards offered.

I know the check engine light comes on when you turn the ign on, after you start the motor it stay on for about 10 sec then turn off. Can't help with the gas side :)

Bump. I’m wondering about the fact that the Check Engine lamp comes on when on petrol (ignition on, engine not running) but does not when switched to gas. Is this a normal arrangement? Anyone out there with a dual fuel Magna? It’s an aftermarket gas conversion, by the way.

The Check Engine light comes on a couple of minutes after cold start and doesn’t go away, at least in the time I am prepared to spend looking at the damn thing. Today after a 20km run on gas I switched over to petrol and went for a good fast run along some country roads. The Check Engine light did not come on at all. It felt good giving the old girl her head and gratuitously burning some fossil fuel (remember the olden days? When you could just ‘go for a drive’). The significance is that it appears that the CE lamp coming on may be temperature related. What’s causing it still has to be tracked down.

I’ve read in the manual that the codes can be read with an analogue voltmeter but I don’t have access to one. Would it be possible to read the codes with a 12v test lamp instead? Am I best to just take it to Mitsubishi and pay to get a diagnosis? I’m blundering around here in what looks like a very complicated world of sensors and mysterious black boxes. I feel as though this car is dragging me into the 21st century, yet it’s only a 1994 model.

Any clues appreciated. Karmic rewards offered.

12V test lamp will do fine, i used a LED and a resistor.

Thanks gents. Mrmacamouto, what value resistor do you need? I'm thinking it would be rather nice to have an LED and a switch on the dash, so I could stay in touch with the 'puter. It is doing a hell of a job, and I'd like us to be friends.

I couldn't get the test light to work predictably but was able to read the codes with a digital multimeter. Codes are:
14 - Throttle Position Sensor
41 - Injector

I started on petrol today and took it for a good drive without the Check Engine light coming on. Maybe it has self-repaired. Maybe it was just sulking about something and thought it would express itself. (er, grin).

There are pretty good instructions for adjusting the TPS in the manual. I'll probably do that when I get the chance, and maybe even check out this injector business. These cars really are very sophisticated.

Thanks for the help.

Hey, I have a 2.6 EFI TS magna on LPG also, aftermarket,
I have never seen the check engine light on in my car except for before I start it, so I dont think its just something that happens after getting LPG, I run mine on petrol occasionally (constantly at the moment but thats another matter since the lpg is not working at the moment...). Personally I wouldn't take it to mitsubishi, they will make you pay out the nose before just saying its not their problem because its on lpg.
I would think that an auto electrician or possibly a normal mechanic would be able to hook up the diagnoser, Ive seen it connected up at my mechanics before when my ecu was stuffing up.

Sorry, I dont know much about check engine lights and what causes them.

Resistor for the LED would be about 500ohms :) That for a standar red LED.

Thanks Pretzil. I thought the diagnoser would be a specifically Mitsu thing - I'll check with my local mechanic. I can't often afford to pay for his expertise, but he wants me to build an office in his workshop this winter. I can perhaps run up a bit of credit.

Thanks Sparky. I'll put that little circuit together and I'll be able to 'keep my finger on the pulse'.

Clean the cables first, I think I had both those errors and it was just dirty contacts.

MrMac, I've started doing just that. My approach has been a bit random so far. I'll take a deep breath tomorrow and work more methodically. The downloaded manual is very good, and I would like to identify each component as I go. I am getting really attached to this car - previous Magnas were sent to mechanics as required but I'm poorer now and will have to do everything myself. The price was right on this one - $300 - and it is a really sweet car. I might even keep it clean.

No problem I has an app to do the calculation for me :D But it an easy equation:

V = I x R

V / I = R

For LED you need the drop voltage for the LED generally it 2 volt for red and supply volt in your case 12v , Current I equal is LED current generally 20 ma

V supply - V led drop / I = R

12-2 /0.02 = R

R = 500 ohms :happy: basic electrical knowledge

So that sum how to do it.

What the the engine symbol light indicates when it comes on

1. Engine control unit
* 2. Oxygen sensor
3. Air-flow sensor
4. Intake air temperature sensor
5. Throttle position sensor
6. Engine coolant temperature sensor
7. Crank angle sensor
8. Top dead centre sensor
9. Knock sensor
10. Ignition timing adjustment signal
11. Injector
Caution: - The engine warning lamp also comes on when the terminal for ignition timing adjustment is
earthed during ignition timing adjustment.
*Note - The 0' sensor on 4 cylinder models built after February 1992 does not activate the engine
warning lamp

Thanks Mr Sparky. I have a dangerously small amount of knowledge of analogue electronics. Your formula reminded me that I should have known how to do that. Appreciated.

Magna Buff - thanks for that list.

I'm off today on a 700km run. Hope she makes it.