1986 Chrysler Conquest problems

General information about Chrysler-Conquest
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Mitsubishi Starion is a two-door, turbocharged four-cylinder rear-wheel drive four-seat hatchback sports car manufactured and marketed by Mitsubishi from 1982 until 1989 — with badge engineered variants marketed in North America as the Conquest, under the Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth brands.

The Starion was one of the first modern Japanese turbocharged performance automobiles with electronic fuel injection.

Overview

Mitsubishi began marketing the Starion in 1982, during a period in which a number of Japanese grand tourer (GT) sports cars were available, including the Nissan Z cars, Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra and to a lesser extent, the Honda Prelude, Isuzu Piazza and Subaru XT.

The Starion was marketed in the US as the Mitsubishi Starion and badge engineered variants of it were marketed as the Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler Conquest. In the UK it was sold as the Colt Starion.

It was manufactured in two body configurations, a narrowbody and widebody; the narrower style complied with Japanese exterior dimension regulations taxing larger vehicles and engine displacement exceeding two liters. Only the narrowbody was offered through the 1985.5 model year.

The introduction of the widebody also split the car into two ranges: a non-intercooled lower-horsepower car using the narrow body style and a high-performance intercooled widebody. In most markets, widebody cars were given the label of Starion ESI-R or Conquest TSi. Markets that never received the widebody had the ESI-R label, these cars had similar performance as the widebodies. Widebody cars were offered in 1986–1989 model years in the US.

The Starion was featured in the 1984 movie Cannonball Run II.

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Common 1986 Chrysler Conquest problems

The Chrysler Conquest TSI, produced in 1986, is a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Starion, a two-door, turbocharged four-cylinder rear-wheel drive four-seat hatchback sports car. While the engine is generally reliable in stock form, there are some common problems that owners have reported.

MAF Sensor Issues: The MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor is known to cause problems, leading to a MAF error or stored code. The sensor may need to be replaced or rebuilt to resolve the issue.

Boost Management: The engine is sensitive to boost levels. While it can handle higher boost than stock, it requires careful management. If the boost is not properly controlled, cracked heads can become an issue due to increased stress on the engine.

Electrical Tampering: Some owners have reported issues with electrical systems being tampered with, such as the addition of LED lights or unconventional starter systems. These modifications can lead to unforeseen problems and should be approached with caution.

Timing and Vacuum Advance: Injector clips, timing, and vacuum advance are crucial components that can affect the performance of the Conquest TSI. If the vacuum advance is dead or not functioning properly, the car may fall flat on its face and buck hard when boost is applied. Replacing the vacuum advance and checking the timing can help resolve these issues.

Reliability and Interchangeability: The 2.6 SOHC engine in the Conquest TSI is not highly regarded for its reliability. However, some owners have reported success in making these cars more reliable by using MPI (Multi-Point Injection) and non-jet valve heads.

When considering a Chrysler Conquest TSI as a project car, it is essential to be aware of these common problems and approach the vehicle with a clear understanding of the work and potential modifications required. While the car has its challenges, it also has a unique charm and the potential for performance upgrades, making it an attractive option for enthusiasts willing to invest the time and effort.

1986 Chrysler Conquest car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chrysler Conquest problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Engine and engine cooling problems
Power train problems
Parking brake problems
Suspension problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Chrysler Conquest vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1986 Chrysler Conquest complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Chrysler Conquest.

1995-07-10

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-07-10
VIN: JP3BC54N9G2
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILURE DUE TO OIL LEAK.

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1995-07-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-07-10
VIN: JP3BC54N9G2
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: MAIN FAN MOTOR FAILED, CAUSING OVERHEATING, RESULTING IN A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD AT # 3 CYLINDER. *AK

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1995-07-10