I recently purchased a used 03 eclipse gs 2.4L 4cyl and been having issues even attempting to idle after i have ran the engine for a little bit. My car starts fine when it is cold but once it gets warm it doesn't want to start at all. the engine cranks, fires, but doesnt start to idle. At first i thought it was the spark plugs. Found out there was oil getting into the spark plug housings, replaced the valve cover gasket, and just recently replaced the ignition switch and still having issues. Once in awhile when im having this problem the car makes a sort of surging type noise.

If anyone has any ideas or has experienced this problem please let me know!

Thanks!

 

bad IAC motor ????

 

But it idles fine when it starts up cold, Im thinking it has something to do with something overheating, all lights, stereo, etc. work when this problem occurs but wont start.

 

I think I have the same problem.
It started when I tried to replace my radio, I had some blown fuses and the clock don't even light up anymore.
Before that everythink worked out good.

 

oil in the spark plug 'housing'?

New rings, vacuum leak, bad voodoo.

 

After few researchs, find out that the issue is certainly due to a deficient relay.
Have you checked all your fuses and relay first?

 

iI checked all relays and fuses, thinking its the camshaft sensor, trying to find the correct one to fit my engine, been to all namebrand auto parts stores and even went directly to Mitsubishi and cant seem to find a sensor that fits. The sensor that they have for my engine; the bracket that holds/seals the sensor is bout 1/4 of an inch off. I dont really know where i can go to find the correct sensor. (Uses a code reader to find out its camshaft sensor)