Shuts off while driving

Tiny
AUGERF2
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 DODGE NEON
  • 2.0L
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 250,000 MILES
My dad was driving on the highway when it had shut off. He had left it there to get help to get it towed. When he came to get it it was stolen. He was able to get it back and found the camshaft was stolen. He replaced that then sold me the car. While driving to my place the lights on the dash started to dim and shut off. Car shut off as soon as we pulled in. Well, found out the battery was drained. Bought a new battery and replaced the alternator thinking that was the problem. Worked for a few hours then it shut off while driving again. Thinking it was the ECU because my dad said he accidentally put the battery in wrong twice before. Replaced the ECU and it still didn't work. New battery is not working now and it won't turn on. Even getting jumped the lights dim and turn off then the car shuts off.
Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 AT 6:49 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If the lights are diming, I have to ask. Have you recharged the battery? If the present battery is totally drained, a jump start may not do the job. Also are you sure the terminals are clean and tight?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-charge-your-car-battery

Next, if you can get it started, I need you to check the alternator output. It sounds like the problem is coming from there. Here is a link that shows how to check it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Also, I attached a pic below of the charging system. I highlighted a wire that goes to the alternator which should have 12v at all times. It comes direct from the starter. Check that as well. There is a fusible link in it which may have been caused by mixing up the battery cables.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care and God Bless,

Joe
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Friday, April 16th, 2021 AT 1:01 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This sounds like a battery issue when the lights come on and then the engine stalls but at this point we need to check the basics.

Just to be sure, you are able to turn the engine over but it just doesn't start? Meaning it cranks when you turn the key but it doesn't actually start and run?

If this is the case, here is a guide that will get us started:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Basically we need to check for fuel and spark. We can assume compression is ok at this point but we need to rule out the basics and go from there.

Here is a guide that will help with fuel pressure:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

For the spark we need to pull a plug out and hold it against the block and crank the engine and make sure it has a spark.

Let's start with this and go from there. It may help if you get a video of the engine trying to start so we can see what it is doing. Thanks
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Friday, April 16th, 2021 AT 1:01 PM

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