Repair And Fix it

Locating the thermostat on the engine in your 2002 Mitsubishi Galant is the first step in replacing it or removing it for testing. The thermostat is located inside the thermostat housing, so you will not be able to see the actual thermostat unless you remove the housing. Replacement thermostats are available at most auto-parts stores, but be sure to check the heat range required for your engine. Not all thermostats are the same and one with the wrong heat range will allow the engine to overheat, damaging it.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of your Galant and locate the radiator at the front of the car. You will see two hoses, upper and lower, coming out of the radiator.

2

Follow the upper radiator hose, starting at the end that connects to the radiator, down its length. The hose runs to the top of the engine but may run under or over other components along the way.

3

Locate the end of the hose, where it attaches to the engine. The housing it attaches to is the thermostat housing. The thermostat is located under this housing. To gain access to it, you have to remove the housing after first draining the cooling system. You will recognize the thermostat--it is metal and looks like a disk with a spring in the center. It is also the only thing under the housing.

The 1998 model of the Mitsubishi Galant ranks high on MSN Autos reliability rating scale. However, since inception, two recalls were reported concerning suspension system ball joint protection failure and after-market fuel pump leaks. Galant owners can now benefit from a few maintenance tips drawn from 13 years of consumer complaints cataloged about their car.

Lower Lateral Arm Ball Joints

Rusty ball joints can disconnect and cause road accidents. Take your 1998 Mitsubishi Galant to a local dealership. Ask the service department to look for wear on the lower lateral arm ball joint. Damaged rubber boots on this suspension system component can cause dirt and water to seep into joints. Mitsubishi dealerships will be able to identify the original lower lateral arm ball joints placed at assembly. Due to a recall of this part issued December 18, 2000, the dealership will replace the worn factory part with a new lower lateral arm ball joint that is designed differently to prevent the intrusion of corrosive materials. If your lower lateral arm ball joint is not worn, the dealership will still place a protective sealant on it free of charge.

After-Market Fuel Pumps

Review your 1998 Mitsubishi Galants work orders. Look for the installation of an Airtex fuel pump. Even if you did not replace your fuel pump, if you are not the original car owner, take your Galant to a local dealership. Ask the service department to check if the fuel pump module assembly is made by Airtex. This check could prevent a possible fuel fire. On July 26, 2007, model number P/N E7081H of the Airtex fuel pump module assembly was recalled because its wall is not thick enough to prevent a fuel leak, which can result in a fire if ignited. There were 222 1998 Mitsubishi Galants fitted with this aftermarket part. If this model of fuel pump is detected, the dealership will replace this part at no cost to you.

Master Cylinder Change

Replace brake fluid after changing the master cylinder. The best way to do this is to fill the brake fluid reservoir and then disconnect the brake lines from the master cylinder. Have someone else press down on the brake pedal while you hold your fingers over the outlet port. The other person should then release the brake pedal. These steps should be repeated until the brake fluid reservoir is filled to capacity.

Driveshaft Installation

It is easy to damage the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant driveshaft when installing or removing it. To prevent damage, do not hit the anti-lock braking system rotors against other driveshaft parts.

When voltage is interrupted to the radio in a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant, it locks up and prevents the driver from using any of the radio functions. The voltage can be interrupted for a number of reasons, such as a dead battery or disconnecting the battery to perform a repair on another component. In order to get the radio out of its locked state, youll need to enter a correct security code. If you enter an incorrect code more than three times, the radio will freeze for one hour. During this frozen state, it wont accept any additional attempts at inputting a code.

Instructions

1

Turn the ignition on and sit in the drivers seat. Press the power button on the radio.

2

Look down at your security code card. Use numbers 1-4 on the front of the radio faceplate to enter your security code.

3

Listen for a beep confirming that your code was accurately entered. If your code was not entered correctly, ERR will display on the radio screen; you will have 2 more attempts to enter the code before the radio freezes.

4

Test all functions on the radio to confirm that it works properly.

The power steering assembly on your Mitsubishi has an input section, a section where work is done and finally an output section. If you know what components are present in your cars power steering system, itll be easier for you to understand how the system works.

The Input Section

Steering input is by way of the steering wheel. When you turn the wheel, a shaft in the steering column is also turned. This shaft is connected -- by way of a steering coupler/universal joint -- to the rack and pinion assembly, where your steering input is translated into side-to-side movement of the steering arms.

The Steering Rack

The power steering rack is where your steering input is translated into the side-to-side motion that turns the front wheels to turn the car. At the end of the steering column is the steering rack input shaft, which has a pinion gear at the end of it. As this gear rotates, it meshes with teeth on the steering rack, moving the rack in the required direction to turn the car.

The Output Section

The steering rack is coupled to the steering knuckle at each wheel by way of inner and outer tie rod ends, which allow for suspension travel and knuckle pivot.

Steering Assist

The addition of a hydraulic fluid is what adds the power to power steering. The pump sends fluid to the steering rack, where valves direct it in the proper direction to work against seals that help push and pull the rack when you turn the steering wheel.

Replacing the serpentine belt on the Mitsubishi Endeavor is necessary if the belt is starting to stretch, has damage on it, or is extremely worn. The belt drives all the accessories on the front of the engine and if it fails, the engine may overheat, the alternator will not produce electricity and the power steering will not work. Replacement belts are available at most auto-parts stores. Check your serpentine belt often and replace it before it breaks.

Instructions

1

Locate the negative battery cable on the negative battery terminal. Remove the retaining bolt from the battery cable end with a wrench, then remove the cable from the battery. Isolate the cable from the battery terminals while you are working on the belt.

2

Locate the belt tensioner on the front of the engine between the alternator and the water pump. Loosen the axis bolt, the bolt in the center of the tensioners pulley, with a socket and ratchet but do not remove it.

3

Locate the adjusting bolt on the bottom of the tensioner, just below the pulley, then turn it counterclockwise with a socket and ratchet until the belt is loose. Remove the belt from the pulleys and discard it.

4

Install the new belt over the pulleys, following the same path as the original belt, then tighten the adjustment bolt by turning it clockwise. Tighten the belt until you can push the belt down 1/8- to -inch between the pulleys.

5

Tighten the axis bolt on the tensioner pulley with a socket and ratchet. Install the negative battery cable on the negative battery terminal, install the retaining bolt and tighten it with a wrench.