98 Plymouth Neon Expresso

1998 PLYMOUTH NEON
95,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD
Avatar
CHRISTINA TABLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS AND SHAKING. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. I HAVEN'T USED THE CAR IN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AND I WANT TO FIX IT. THE LAST TIME I DROVE IT WAS STILL RUNNING. NOW WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR IT WON'T STAY RUNNING UNLESS YOU KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS. DO YOU THINK IT IS FROM BAD GAS? WHY WON'T THE CAR STAY RUNNING? WHAT COULD IT BE FROM?\r\nTHE CAR HAS ABOUT 95,000 MILES ON IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
May 7, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
FIXITMR
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,989 POSTS
get the codes read from computer. who told you you needed a TC? if car was fine when you parked it it should not have changed that drastically by just sitting. change of spark plugs may help if they look old/worn/dirty when removed.
May 7, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Avatar
CHRISTINA TABLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
IT WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN I PARKED IT BUT YOU COULD STILL DRIVE IT. WHEN YOU WOULD COME TO A STOP IT WOULD START SHAKING SO I WOULD PUT IT IN NEUTRAL UNTIL I STARTED MOVING AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD SHIFT GEARS WRONG. AFTER SITTING FOR SO LONG NOW IT WILL START BUT WON'T STAY RUNNING UNLESS YOU GAS IT. I WILL CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS TODAY AND CHECK THE FUSES TOO? THE AUTOSTORE GUY SAID MAYBE I SHOULD CYPHEN OUT THE OLD GAS AND PUT NEW GAS IN IT. DON'T WANT TO UNLESS THAT COULD REALLY BE THE PROBLEM.
May 7, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Avatar
CARADIODOC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 34,413 POSTS
WHY ARE YOU YELLING? Sounds like two simple problems with simple fixes. First of all you have a misfire causing the shaking. Of course the transmission won't shift right if you have to press the gas pedal further than normal to get the car going.

If the car was sitting, the battery was disconnected or run dead. The Engine Computer has to relearn "minimum throttle" before it will know when it has to be in control of idle speed. Until then, it will be too low and the engine will stall at stop signs unless you hold the gas pedal down a little. To meet the conditions for the relearn to take place, drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the brake or gas pedals.
May 7, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Avatar
CHRISTINA TABLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I can't get the car out of park without it dying because as soon as you take your foot off the gas the car dies. Even though I had transmission problems before it always would stay running. This is a new issue after having sit for so long. I'm hoping maybe it's just spark plugs. Thank you for taking the time to give me advice.
May 7, 2011 at 1:32 PM
Avatar
CARADIODOC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 34,413 POSTS
Don't take your foot off the gas.
May 7, 2011 at 1:35 PM
Avatar
CHRISTINA TABLER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So true!! :)
May 7, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle