Engine won't turn over

[DisgruntledVirus]

Yesterday I was driving home, and my CEL (check engine light) came on. Okay mental note made to take it in to the shop. So continue home, and soon after the CEL came on the engine was rev limited to 2200 rpm's and then would cut the gas unless I changed gears then would top out at 2200 rpm's and cut the gas again. So got home and now it will not turn over.

It's a 2005 Dodge Neon and have had issues with the fuel injectors previously which was kind of what I was thinking, but previously it never rev limited me and wouldnt cut the gas. It just fell out of factory warrenty ~200 miles ago for the kicker...

 

[fstime]

I'd call dodge corporate and give it a shot.

I know someone who fell out of the KIA warranty by 50 miles or so, dealer refused, but when he called in to complain, it was quickly resolve.

Just say something like you drive a long commute every day or you where out of state for the weekend.

 

[T2urtle]

the no rev past XXX rpm sounds like a mass air flow sensor, can be anywhere between 100$-350$ pending on maker.

so now your engine won't turn over... sounds like engine is flooded with fuel due to lack of input for the MAF. The MAF reads amount of air going thru your intake and the ECU adjusts fuel accordingly.

you need 3 things for a engine to work, spark, air and fuel... i'm not exactly fimiliar with dodge and their wonderful ideas, but thats where i would start.

also try to floor it while cranking allowing more air to get in...

 

[Zenmervolt]

"Turning over" means that the starter is spinning the engine. Are you saying that the engine will not turn over (no cranking at all) or only that it won't catch (start)?

If it won't turn over, then the issue is un-related to the CEL.

If it turns over but doesn't catch, then it might be related, though a dead MAF should not normally prevent starting and idling.

ZV

 

[T2urtle]

yea a blown/dead MAF should not cause a no start but going by his info... its the only thing i can relate to.. i cant randomly say its a starter or anything in that line.. but if everything is in working order IE starter, battery, terminals and other connections. I would say he flooded the engine.

 

[Arkaign]

I suffered through the horror of Dodge Neon ownership. RIP @ 70k miles, all dealer serviced. Pray to the car gods to smile upon you here.

I agree with ZV though, this probably isn't as serious as it sounds. The nasty Neon problems are those that involve the head cracking.

 

[StageLeft]

The 2200 rpm is undoubtedly a MAF. On my maxima (can't be more on the neon), I ordered one online for less than $100 and replacing it was extremely easy. I had the exact same symptoms, but it happened on the highway on the way to work. Full throttle and it would die, so I was limited by partial throttle and also an RPM limit of just over $2k. I recall it was a top speed of maybe 40 if I got there gradually enough.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Okay I will look into that, I have a 2nd neon I could take it out of depending on how difficult it is to get to...

It won't actually "catch" to start the engine.

I also did try flooring it at start and nothing.

 

[nakedfrog]

Sounds to me like it went into "limp" mode to get you home, and won't start now to prevent damage. I could be wrong of course, but those sound like similar circumstances to when a friend's 03 (I think) Dodge Minivan had some computer in it go bad. It was limited to 40mph or something like that.

 

[M2008S]

second neon better be as new though. POS dodge. call corporate!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Sounds to me like it went into "limp" mode to get you home, and won't start now to prevent damage. I could be wrong of course, but those sound like similar circumstances to when a friend's 03 (I think) Dodge Minivan had some computer in it go bad. It was limited to 40mph or something like that.

MAF would not cause failure to start. You can un-plug a MAF from the wiring harness and the car will still start and idle.

What the OP needs to do is read the codes with an OBD-II Scanner. That will tell him exactly what the error is.

ZV

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Sounds to me like it went into "limp" mode to get you home, and won't start now to prevent damage. I could be wrong of course, but those sound like similar circumstances to when a friend's 03 (I think) Dodge Minivan had some computer in it go bad. It was limited to 40mph or something like that.

MAF would not cause failure to start. You can un-plug a MAF from the wiring harness and the car will still start and idle.

What the OP needs to do is read the codes with an OBD-II Scanner. That will tell him exactly what the error is.

ZV

True but no way to do that without a tow, which I don't want to pay for. So time to call up Dodge corp and go "200 miles outside of warranty and it has an issue like this?"....

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Sounds to me like it went into "limp" mode to get you home, and won't start now to prevent damage. I could be wrong of course, but those sound like similar circumstances to when a friend's 03 (I think) Dodge Minivan had some computer in it go bad. It was limited to 40mph or something like that.

MAF would not cause failure to start. You can un-plug a MAF from the wiring harness and the car will still start and idle.

What the OP needs to do is read the codes with an OBD-II Scanner. That will tell him exactly what the error is.

ZV

True but no way to do that without a tow, which I don't want to pay for. So time to call up Dodge corp and go "200 miles outside of warranty and it has an issue like this?"....

You have a friend? Places like Auto Zone will let you borrow a code scanner, but you have to leave your driver's license with them. You can go to Auto Zone with a friend, borrow the scan tool, then go home, read the codes, write them down, then take the scan tool back and get your license back.

That's a much better alternative to just guessing blindly and throwing parts at the problem.

I would still call Dodge and see if they will cover you since you're so close on warranty though.

ZV

 

[Fenixgoon]

^
most times autozone will scan your car for you, and they'll read off the codes so you can write them down. i've done this a couple of times (it should be free). just ask them if you can get your car scanned.

 

[CrackRabbit]

You might be able to get the codes out of it using the key method.
Put your key in the ignition, turn they key to the Accessory position, now flip it back and forth between Acc and On/run. 3-4 times.
Depending on the computer in the car it will either blink out a code on the CEL or display the P-code on the odometer.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
^
most times autozone will scan your car for you, and they'll read off the codes so you can write them down. i've done this a couple of times (it should be free). just ask them if you can get your car scanned.

I would do that, except it doesn't turn on so would have to tow it to AZ. Might as well just tow it to a shop instead.

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
You might be able to get the codes out of it using the key method.
Put your key in the ignition, turn they key to the Accessory position, now flip it back and forth between Acc and On/run. 3-4 times.
Depending on the computer in the car it will either blink out a code on the CEL or display the P-code on the odometer.

I will have to try that

 

[helpme]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
You might be able to get the codes out of it using the key method.
Put your key in the ignition, turn they key to the Accessory position, now flip it back and forth between Acc and On/run. 3-4 times.
Depending on the computer in the car it will either blink out a code on the CEL or display the P-code on the odometer.

This works on my SRT-4, so it will work on your car too. Turn the car off, then to acc, then between ON and ACC 3-4 times (I forget). The code(s) will be shown in the odometer display.

If you have no codes, it will just show DONE. Otherwise, codes will be displayed as PXXX.