1995 Dodge Neon

Tiny
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  • 1995 DODGE NEON
Today I went out tp pick up some things. I turned off the car and went in the store. When I came out the car wouldnt turn over at all. I cleaned the battery terminals and still no luck. The battery was old so I bought a new one and it still will not turn over. Everything comes on in the car, but when the key is turned it doesnt even make a sound. Any ideas? The car has been running perfectly up until now.
Thursday, February 8th, 2007 AT 6:41 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
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Ignition switch, starter, poor connection at starter or ground, would be my suspicions.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2007 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
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Is there an easy way to determine whether its the ignition switch or starter?
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Thursday, February 8th, 2007 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
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With test equiptment yes. Will need help from another MOd on that one though.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2007 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
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Okay, I replaced both battery cables. Is there a test I can do on the ignition switch to see if its bad. I have a multimeter. Thanks for all your help.
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Saturday, February 10th, 2007 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
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Check your email.
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Saturday, February 10th, 2007 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
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Okay, I removed the old starter and had it tested. It was indeed bad. I put in the new one and the car started fine, however it runs for about 5 seconds and shuts off. I was told there was some sort of built in security system and I needed to clamp both battery cables together to drain the capacitor. Have you guys ever heard of this?
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Sunday, February 11th, 2007 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
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YES, as a matter of fact. If you don't there is a memory that will not allow a re-start.

PS: did you get the e-mail?
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Sunday, February 11th, 2007 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
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Yes, I did get the email. Thanks alot.
How long should I leave the cables clapped together?
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Sunday, February 11th, 2007 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
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5 minutes should be plenty......Disconnected from the battery of course!


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_shockedohno_1.jpg

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Sunday, February 11th, 2007 AT 6:39 PM
Tiny
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I left it that way for over an hour and it still starts and run for a few seconds and then shuts off.
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Sunday, February 11th, 2007 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
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Do you have anti-theft, I didn't think the neon had this option, but it sounds like what happens on an anti-theft vehicle.

We know the starter is doing it's job
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Monday, February 12th, 2007 AT 3:06 AM
Tiny
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Give me the type of ignition system

Could be a bad ignition switch-not powering the ignition circuit.

My way-is to take a jump wire w/10amp fuse go find the positive terminal of the coil and the other end to the batt. Pos. Terminal. Now try the key. Don't work problem is coming from a different area. Could be the ATD device or the Neutral Safety Switch
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Monday, February 12th, 2007 AT 3:51 AM
Tiny
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It is a distributor less ignition. This doesnt make sense. The car was running great when the starter went. All is did was remove one fan to gain better access to the starter and the battery itself. I didnt have to unhook anything else.

Any Ideas?
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Monday, February 12th, 2007 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
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Does it crank over and w/n start. If it cranks, check for spark. No spark inspect the crankshaft position sensor. No crank-check starter relay'solenoid/neutral safety switch and battery connections.
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Monday, February 12th, 2007 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
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Need to narrow down what component of combustion is missing or dropping out. I assume it doesn't have anti-theft?

Was the starter replaced for a no crank condition?
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Monday, February 12th, 2007 AT 5:08 PM
Tiny
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Step #1

The engine has to create a maximum pressure in the combustion chamber without any leakage at the valvetrain and cyclinder to produce its maximum heated pressure-No pressure equals to No start.

Step #2

The fuel must be 14.7 to 1 ratio when injected, but its a dream it will never happen. Not enough or too much equals No start

Step #3

The last is the one that fires upon it-Weak or No ignition equals No start.

When we got all 3 of them-then we go to the engine electrical system to deal with the battery/starter and alternator, No electrical pressure equals No start and kills the entire engine management system. The brain is dead.
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Monday, February 12th, 2007 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
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Okay. Some good news. I called my local dodge dealership and explained my issue. He said the PCM lost its memory. He told me to turn the key to the on position for 10 min. After this the car started and ran good. I let it run for about 15 min. About two hours later it was back to doing the same thing. I finally got it going and I drove it around the block however it stalled 3 or 4 times but it always started back. Now 2 hours later it will not start again. This makes no sense, the car ran fine before the starter went bad. All the sensors in the car are only 6 months old. This has got me puzzled. THanks again for all your help.
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Monday, February 12th, 2007 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
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Can you check the codes in the computer?

I'm going to throw this out there, may be off base, but if there was something that I would focus on is the camshaft AND crank sensors. Only from a past experience stand point.

In your quest, don't assume there it a relationship to the no start and the starter situation and the current problem.

There are things that are somtimes illogical and the explaination never comes. Keep the previous situation in the back of your mind, but don't concentrate on it. Need to go back to basics and assume it is unrelated.

There is the possibility for example that when you took the starter in, it was actually good and the person testing did it wrong, mis-interpreted or wanted to sell a starter. I am not saying that is did happen like this or may even be logical, Just saying the problem you are having may be originally related or may not be.

Need to find what you are losing and why. Timing belt jumped a notch? Not getting enough fuel pressure, loss of spark? Etc.
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Tuesday, February 13th, 2007 AT 5:11 AM

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