2005 Dodge Neon looses power intermittantly

Tiny
THARDWICK12
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE NEON
  • 212,000 MILES
Checked codes says TP sensor bad, replaced with OEM still happening. Replaced fuel regulator/filter. The car is fine as long as I press on the gas very slowly. Will get to highway speed but dies out hard when you let off. As long as it is accelerating seems fine, unless get to hill. At lower speeds has a hard time maintaining speed must surge pedal to try and maintain speed. Sometimes will reach 50 MPH and loose power must let off pedal and press again slowly.
Thursday, August 15th, 2013 AT 9:14 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure and make sure it is in spec. Advance Auto or Auto Zone loan out the tool to do this for free.
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Thursday, August 15th, 2013 AT 10:19 PM
Tiny
THARDWICK12
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you, does that mean my fuel pump could be failing? I thought fuel pumps either work or dont work. Do they sometimes go out over time? The codes also indicate a vacuum leak in the engine, but I can not find one.
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Saturday, August 17th, 2013 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Yes, fuel pumps can fail over time. That is one of the reasons electrical diagnosis is so tough. Components may work fine for a while then intermittently fail or degrade over time. The pressure could have dropped and it only takes a few PSI in either direction to make the engine have problems.
Finding a vacuum leak can be really tough. I use a thread or a string and hold it near areas where parts are bolted together wherever vacuum may be present. If there is a leak, even though you might not hear it, the thread will get sucked towards it. It has worked for me and I found a leak I looked for for a while at the area where the throttle body meets the plenum. It works very well.
I hope things go well and don't hesitate to ask more questions if you have any.
Take care.
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Saturday, August 17th, 2013 AT 12:56 PM

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