1999 Dodge Neon having a fit.
My 1999 Dodge Neon is having a fit! I have had problems with the
speedometer going to 0 when I touch brakes or hit a bump, lately though all
the gauges 0 go out like it has power off. Im sure that is the instrument
cluster? I started having problems of the car sputtering and trying to die
(sometimes it does die) when it is HOT outside, runs good when it is cooler
outside. I noticed that the tempature gauge was reading a little hot and when
I would push the brake to stop the gauge would go to HOT and start beeping
at me saying it was overheating... Fluids are all fine, NO boiling sounds and
no steam any where. I have replaced the crankshaft sensor, I have replaced
the main computer, just changed the thermostat. And it is still acting like it
wants to die when it is warm outside! I can not afford to keep replacing
everything on this car and taking it to mechanic's that throw their hands in
the air and say they do not know what is wrong with it. I am thinking maybe
fuel pump? but I just do not know. Any idea's?
Have they checked the alternator? Gages going crazy and the car sputtering and dying are signs of an alternator going out. When they check it anything below 12 volts means the alternator cant keep up with the electrical demands of the vehicle.
They have not checked the alternator. They mostly hook up a thing that reads codes and try to figure it out from that! It has been frustrating to say the least. I will have to see if my son is able to check that and see what it says.
A voltage meter can tell u how many volts the alternator is putting out at the battery terminals. But dont be fooled by a high reading when cool and turn everything on high, fan, a/c, four way flashers and lights. If it doesn't get any higher than 13 volts then the alternator is bad. A good alternator with everything on high will read anywhere from 13.89v to 14.98v.
Peter, the Alt was as 13 volts and turned every thing on and it went to 11.5. So I will have to get that replaced. I really hope that will help fix things. I am starting to think I wasted the money getting a new computer for this pain in my butt car!! Thank you for answering and giving me something else to look for.
I think it will. Let me know how it turns out.
Someone said they thought the cat was causing problems so I did some research and decided to change out the O2 sensor as I had a lot of problems with it dying yesterday and sputtering a lot. Changed that sensor out today and it's 97 degree's out and this little car ran like a new car! No sputtering, didn't try to die, ran her hard with no problems. Sure wish I had changed that back in March when I started having these problems. I will be changing out the Alt soon as well. Thank you for your time and answering my question.
