I have a 1990 mitsubishi mighty max pickup with issues. It has a 4 cylinder engine and sometimes it will start right up and run without any problems. Other times it will start and die, then start right back up and run fine. Then sometimes after it dies it won't start without lots of grinding. While grinding it will fire then spit and sputter and die. As it sputters the engine relay will click like crazy. It doesn't matter if you put the accelerator to the floor, pump it, or not even touch it.
I have change the fuel filter and it seems to be getting fuel to the engine or fuel rail. After cranking on it without it starting i can crack the fuel line going into the fuel rail and gas will spew everywhere.
It's almost like the injectors aren't firing.

Any advise or input is appreciated.
Thanks,
Rickey

A cheap easy way to determine if you lack fuel or spark is to use a can of b-12 and spray a small amount into the intake while cranking to see if it will run on the b-12. If it does run then you have spark and have a lack of fuel getting into the engine. If it doesn't run then you have a lack of spark and need to troubleshot the ignition system first. Could be alot of things wrong the grinding sounds concerns me since for one because I can't personally hear it to determine the source. I'm going to say that grinding and the relay clicking may be due to a low battery condition causing the starter to drag and grind. The starting and dying sounds alot like a cam/crank sensor/pickup coil type of problem.