2000 Dodge Neon-Car Trouble

MDERMO

MEMBER
2000 DODGE 600
4 CYL
FWD
140,000 MILES

The other day I was driving my car and the engine light had come on about 25 minutes after I had started driving. I was going about 65mph the whole time, so my car was warmed up, which is usually the problem with my car. Once I got into town, my car started to shake and it seemed as if it were going to die and the stop lights/signs I was at. After about 2 minutes of this, the temperature gauge strated quickly dropping and my car began to slow down although I was still trying to accel. The car's lights started dimming and the car slowed down to about 15mph. I tried to keep going to find a place to pull over, but I couldnt. The only way to keep going was to barely tap the accelerator. I went 20mph untill I could stop. I replaced the battery/cable connector, but it didn't help. Any ideas?

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 AT 9:31 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Sounds like there are multiple problems but one thing they might all have in common is the charging system. If the engine starts and runs normally with a jump-start, use an inexpensive digital voltmeter to measure battery voltage. It must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. You'll need to remove the jumper cables or battery charger so you're testing the car, not the booster car or charger.

With the engine off, the battery voltage will read very near 12.6 volts when it is fully charged, around 12.0 volts if it is good but discharged, and less than 11 volts if it has a shorted cell.

Holler back with your findings or if you need help with the voltmeter.

Caradiodoc

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Friday, December 3rd, 2010 AT 12:27 AM