The car runs for a little while then shuts off and takes hours b4 starting again replaced distributor cap kit and pick up coil and still does the same thing any suggestions????

I'm not positive, but I think your electronic ignition has something called a pick up coil that goes bad. Sometimes the engine may just die while driving, or just not want to run when it starts. You also may have a distributor cap that Mitsubishi made that has circuitry inside the cap, so replace the cap too.

how many miles on her it may be the timing chain

Hello first of all

In reading your issue at hand not having no spark there is only a few things that can cause this being that its a 1988 car i will list below what you need to go over and check.

1.spark plug wires
2. distributor cap
3. ignition rotor
4. coil pick up
5. faulty distributor

That being said most are a easy and cheap fix plug wires run about 20-35 bucks autozones duralast brand , distributor cap runs between 7-18 bucks , ignition rotor 3-8 bucks , coil pick up about 15-30 bucks all at autozone.

Now there is no real way to tell if there bad but a good examination of the distributor cap and rotor should tell you corroded inside cracked worn down.

i would start with distributor cap , ignition rotor, coil pick up if the car starts after this replace spark plugs wires. If that does not fix it most likely you distributor is faulty itself.

i hope it helps if so could you leave me so 4 thumbs up feedback thanks so much

Sounds like an ignition module and/or a pickup coil. If there is injector pulse the pickup coil is working.

The ignition module is located on the side of the distibutor. The make a wrench that has both the socket and the torx bit all in one just to install one of these. The wrench should be available from the autoparts store you get the ignition module from. It will make install a lot easier.

Sometimes you have to rotate the distributor a little to get at the two bolts that hold the module to the distributor. Make sure you mark the location of the distributor before you rotate it so that you can but it back in exactly the same place.

Once the two bolts are removed gently push down on the module to disconnect it from the pick-up coil. Sometimes its nice to remove the cap to help line up the new one with the pick-up coil connector and make sure the pick-up coil connector is in tacked. It is not uncommon for them to crumble when replacing the module.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

replace the TFI ignition module (mounted on the outside of the distributor) and the distruibutor pickup ( inside the distributor) and the problem will go away, I would also replace the coil if it is orignal.

here are the parts you need.
UNITED IGNITION WIRE Part # M425
w/ Push-on Type Rotor-Mod. Mounts On Dist; Electronic Ignition
$22.00


MOTORCRAFT Part # DU30C Distributor pick up $57.00



STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part #FD478T Ign Coil $13.00

The pick-up coil/stator is easily replaced in a dodge distributor, and once you have removed the distributor cap and the ignition rotor, then just dis-connect the wire connector from the pick-up coil/stator and lift it straight up and out of the distributor, and the distributor does not have to be removed or dis-assembled to replace the pick-up coil/stator. There are two alignment tabs on the pick-up coil/stator that will match up with the distributor cap when the pick-up coil/stator is properly installed. Here are two images to help assist you.

try replacing the ignition module on the side of the distributor(common problem) also take the dist. cap off and poke the pick up module inside the dist.and see if its the consistency of bubble gum,if it is replace the distributor also,hope this helps

replace the distributor pickup

Replace the complete distributor. They are available on Ebay, brand new for a bout $100. or at any auto parts store for a little more. It sounds like the module inside the distributor popped but it could be one of the pick-ups, or maybe the coil as well. Rather than wasting a lot of time and money trying to figure out which one, just get a complete new distributor. It comes complete with a new cap, rotor, module, coil, pick-ups.
These are a very, very common problem.

it sounds like the pick up coil in the distributor is heating up and shutting down you have to pull the distributer and take it apart to replace it