New 3rd gen owner with various questions.

[hardwaregrrl]

Hey all, 06 montero with 69K on it. I've had it for 3 weeks.....so far I've changed the oil and trans fluid and filter. That was a pain in the ass.... I replaced the rear brake pads and greased the pins in the front. OME suspension kit on order...this thing was sitting for 3 years and did no favors to the struts. It needs tires and an alignment. I'm doing what I can bit by bit.....next week my buddy with do the timing belt, water pump and other bits while in there. I put a double din alpine head unit and a back up cam in it today...that was remarkably simple. Well here's a few pics then I'll get on with my questions...







Now onto my questions....

What can I do about the TPMS flashing light. Damn annoying...I check my tires on a bi monthly basis so no need for me.

I've had the center diff light flashing every now and again. I'm able to engage all modes of drive, but I notice when I drive in 2wd for long periods, it will start to flash. I've been exercising the 4wd system daily hoping this may help.

While greasing the pins in the front calipers I saw this:



I missed that on inspecting the Monty, and I know these half shafts are pricey. It looks good internally, no grit...but what's the best way to deal with it?

I've gotten a P300 code twice, once when I first got the car and today. Both times the car had less than an 1/8th of a tank....coincidence?

Tires...this unfortunately is a soccer mom car....but my kid doesn't play soccer. I ride motorcycles off road, well I did until I had a kid. I want to do some light wheeling with him, I want to be able to tow my motorcycle, I want to be able to hunt out of it where I may need to drive some nasty roads to get to a good spot, I'll commute in it as well. I may go up 1/2" in size but that's it....what AT tires are quiet and wear well on road without impacting mpgs. That's kind of like asking what kind of oil you use.....isn't it.

Tow hitch...dammit I wish I could find the Mitsubishi one. The aftermarket ones are way to stinking low..... Does anyone make an after market hitch that hugs the bumper? I tried for 2 weeks to find the UHAUL hitch and Mitsu hitch, salvage yards are charging close to 300 before shipping!!! Will I really have to get the cutting wheel and welder out to fix this problem?

Thanks all for the help......

 

[ChrisCosta416]

Hi there! Welcome and clean rig!

be sure to check my Gen3 suspension guide as well as the 3.8 maintenance guide.

Now for your questions...

forgive me I’m on mobile

- center diff light flashing - usually it’s your freewheel drive solenoid. Takes about 5 minutes to replace. OEM part number is MR263723
- order the CV boot kit of partsouq
- TPMS is a common issue with your year. A fellow Gen3 owner will chime in soon on it (I can feel it)
I have some new OEM upper ball joints if you wanna buy it 100$ for the pair

 

[evomaki]

I purchased a 2006 Montero for my kid three years ago. Had similar issue with the TPMS. Actually had the dealer look at the TPMS, as it would be nice to have it work. They said the issue was not with the wheel sensors. It was with the computer. I think we wound up pulling the bulb. I wish you better luck, but that was our outcome.

 

[plh]

TPMS is either replace the sensors & see the dealer to reprogram. AFAIK no other programmers can set the sensors to the Mits. Or pull the bulb (I didn't say that).

Tires - BFG T/A AT KO2 265/75R17 - quiet, wear well, handle well. Taller will rub occasionally even with the OME kit. my 285/75R16s rub occasionally - the 17 version of the 285s is slightly taller. Don't go narrower than 265, on road handling will suffer.

 

[SONICMASD]

Amazingly low miles, great find!

I agree with what has been posted by others.

- Center diff light is likely the freewheel clutch solenoid - most of us just replace it with cheap chinese unit from ebay (the vac lines will probably need to be changed on the new part before install. just match them up to the existing oem part, it'll make perfect sense when you have the new part in hand next to the existing part).

- Definitely rebuild the oem CVs with new boots and grease. They are sooo much stronger than aftermarket ones.

- There are only 2 ways to solve the TPMS light - 1. Pull or Cover the bulb. 2. Get new sensors installed and have a Mitsu dealer reprogram the system. That's what I just did. Cost me $170 for 5 sensors and $140 for the dealer to reprogram. No other shops can reprogram the Mitsu TPMS computer, has to be the dealer.

- P300 - not sure on that one but I'd start with smoke testing the intake and exhaust systems because vac leaks can cause that code and gen3s are prone to vac leaks, particuarly at the surge tank butterfly opening and exhaust maniflds (see my build thread for more details), from there i'd test for low fuel pressure (maybe run a lot of fuel system cleaner since the rig was sitting for so long), other than it might be worth doing a tune up with new plugs and wires if it persists.

 

[hardwaregrrl]

”Pull the bulb”. Way better idea than a “I Voted!” sticker covering the annoyance. I’ll do that....speedo and taco on occasion need a Fonzi thump to get moving so the cluster needs to come out anyway

onto the P300 code.....this guy idles low....like under 800....does that indicate anything?? I’ll do plugs and wires soon as I can, timing belt and water pump bits first.

 

[dkcamym]

Looks like I can finally contribute to a thread as my year long search for a Montero or Trooper continues...

No comments on your problem/questions, but I just wanted to see if you have looked into the Crank Pulley Bolt yet. I've seen quite a few gen 3's on craigslist that have a broken crank bolt.

Not sure if the '06 models are affected, but there are certainly a number of Gen 3's that are.
Check here... https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/crankshaft-pulley-bolt.206014/#post-2679657
or check the 4x4wire forums.

Good Luck!

 

[evomaki]

2006 definitely still has the old style crankshaft pulley bolt. Mine did. Good to replace it.

 

[SONICMASD]

Yeah definitely upgrade the crank bolt with the new OEM one and only use OEM parts for the timing belt job as well - you can get all the parts for around $250.

 

[hardwaregrrl]

Yep, I got one and a tensioner. I went OEM. Now this guy is throwing a P0171 code along with the P0300. Guessing I can look at the fuel filter/pump and search out a vacuum leak.....my buddy will be working on it on Halloween.....so I'll have him take a peek if he gets a chance. Anywhere specific I should look for a vac leak? My shop manual came in.....boy Haynes sucks. I have a great paper manual for my old car and my motorcycle, regardless what chapter you're on, it will list what needs removal and how to remove it. This one jumps from chapter to chapter multiple times for a single task.....what a pia. Anyone ever score a paper copy of the Mitsubishi tech manuals??

Yeah definitely upgrade the crank bolt with the new OEM one and only use OEM parts for the timing belt job as well - you can get all the parts for around $250.

I've found that price is one par but missing the crank bolt/washer and tensioner.. Rockauto no longer carries that kit that had everything.

 

[Schitzangiggles]

I haven't found a U-haul hitch, but there's an XLS with a Valley Manufacturing made hitch at the local to me pick and pull that actually sits up higher than the U-haul hitch that is under my LTD which is surprising because I thought I got lucky when mine came with the U-haul hitch.

Let me know if you're interested. My zip is 83402 and will ship from my work address and if it can go to a work address it will save a bunch on shipping.

 

[hardwaregrrl]

I haven't found a U-haul hitch, but there's an XLS with a Valley Manufacturing made hitch at the local to me pick and pull that actually sits up higher than the U-haul hitch that is under my LTD which is surprising because I thought I got lucky when mine came with the U-haul hitch.

Let me know if you're interested. My zip is 83402 and will ship from my work address and if it can go to a work address it will save a bunch on shipping.

Holy crap...that's awfully kind of you. I unfortunately had to order something as I need to pick up a bunch of hemlock for my sunporch that I'm currently renovating. I'll let you know if it's too low and I can't deal.....It's a Reese and the pics and video I watched looked like it was hidden well enough...at least better than a Curt.

Here's a pic of everything I bought for the upcoming project.

 

[hardwaregrrl]

Oh man....you guys are the best!!! I fixed the flashing (I think) differential light.... I called my dad who has Alzheimers, he's a pretty hard guy to talk to pre-alzheimers, and I usually spend 1 -3 hours on the phone with him. It's hard, but I realized I'm sometimes the only person he will talk to for a week. So I usually involve myself with a project as I talk/listen to him as to keep from going crazy. Well, there was the strangest substance I've ever seen on the electrical connections. It was a yellow paste...no dielectric grease I've ever seen has looked like that. I removed the whole unit and checked the hoses for obstruction/rot....and cleaned the male/female E connectors and it's operating extremely fast. That is the light on the dash is engaging within 2-5 seconds. Before it would take quite a while for the communication to go through. So there you have it....The no-cent mod.

Ok in other news, anybody got a good link to a plug/wire swap tutorial? tia

 

[SONICMASD]

Mitsubishilinks.com is where you can downlod the FSM for free and then you can print it out and hole punch it if you like.

As for the vac leaks, likely culprits:

1. Exhaust manifolds
2. Surge tank Butterfly shaft o-ring
3. All the vac lines around the intake plenum

 

[hardwaregrrl]

I haven't found a U-haul hitch, but there's an XLS with a Valley Manufacturing made hitch at the local to me pick and pull that actually sits up higher than the U-haul hitch that is under my LTD which is surprising because I thought I got lucky when mine came with the U-haul hitch.

Let me know if you're interested. My zip is 83402 and will ship from my work address and if it can go to a work address it will save a bunch on shipping.

Pm sent