2003 Dodge Neon hesitates very bad when given gas

Tiny
FORMERARMY
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 DODGE NEON
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 62,000 MILES
This vehicle hesitates and sputters when you give it gas. Really bad. P codes I get are 0128 and 0340, what do they mea?
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Monday, February 9th, 2009 AT 9:17 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
P0128 OBD-II Trouble Code

Technical DescriptionCoolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)

What does that mean?This means that the engine's PCM detected that the engine has not reached the required temperature level within a specified amount of time after starting the engine. The intent of the P0128 code is to indicate a faulty thermostat. Similar codes: P0125

In determining the engine did not reach a "normal" temperature, it takes into account the length of time the vehicle has been running, the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor reading, the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor reading, and the speed of the vehicle.

SymptomsYou will likely not notice any drivability problems other than the MIL illumination.

CausesA code P0128 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

Low engine coolant level
Leaking or stuck open thermostat
Faulty cooling fan (running too much)
Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
Faulty intake air temperature (IAT) sensor
Possible SolutionsPast experience indicates that the most likely solution is to replace the thermostat. However here are some suggestions on troubleshooting and repairing a P0128 OBD-II code:

Verify coolant strength & level
Verify proper cooling fan operation (check if it's running more than it should). Replace if necessary.
Verify proper engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor operation, replace if necessary.
Verify proper intake air temperature (IAT) sensor operation, replace if necessary.
If the above items check out good, replace the thermostat
If Nissan vehicle, check for a TSB such as this one. The ECM may need to be reprogrammed to correct the P0128 code

P0340 Technical DescriptionCamshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction

What does that mean?This indicates that a problem was detected in the camshaft position sensor circuit. Since it says circuit, that means the problem could lie in any part of the circuit - the sensor itself, the wiring, or the PCM. Don't just replace the CPS (camshaft position sensor) and think that will definitely fix it.

SymptomsSymptoms can include:

Hard starting or no start
Rough running / misfiring
Loss of engine power
CausesA code P0340 could mean one or more of the following has happened:

a wire or connector in the circuit could be grounded/shorted/broken
the camshaft position sensor may have failed
the PCM may have failed
there exists an open circuit
the crankshaft position sensor may have failed
Possible SolutionsWith a P0340 OBD-II trouble code, diagnosis can be tricky at times. Here are some things to try:

Visually inspect all the wiring and connectors in the circuit
Check for continuity in the circuit wiring
Check the operation (voltage) of the camshaft position sensor
Replace the camshaft position sensor as required
Check the crankshaft position circuit as well
Replace circuit wiring and/or connectors as required
Diagnose/replace the PCM as required
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 9th, 2009 AT 9:31 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links