I am planning to acquire a 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5. The car runs perfect but it has an almost flat battery. Even the horn doesn't work unless the car is driven around. (No starting Problem though weirdly)
The problem:
The car only idles for about 2 minutes then chokes. Slowly after 5 chokes (like there is no fuel in car), it dies.
Does the low battery have to do anything here?
what could be the cause?
It sounds like there is an issue with something in the vehicle after it goes from open loop (before sensors are used to run the car) to closed loop (where the vehicle starts using inputs from the O2s, MAF, and other sensors). This switch over usually occurs about two minutes from a cold start-up.
I would start by cleaning the MAF with electronics cleaner (very carefully - or have the current owner do it), see when the O2 sensors were last replaced, checking the temperature sending units for proper operation, and cleaning the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor. A thorough throttle body/intake tract cleaning could provide some help as well.
As Nick C stated, I doubt this has anything to do with the battery or charging system, considering the vehicle continues to start without fail.
The battery shouldn't make a difference, providing the alternator is working properly. However, if you don't have a starting problem, that suggests it isn't the battery that is the root cause of the problem - more like something electrical.
From the symptoms you describe, it sounds more like a fuelling issue - perhaps the fuel pump is cutting out after a short time? It's also possible that the immobiliser is doing something odd - cutting the fuel pump to stop the car?
