2000 Dodge Neon Car won't turn over w/ new starter, ign swi

THEWOOGINATOR

MEMBER
2000 DODGE NEON
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
135,000 MILES

The car died suddenly and wouldn't turn over. My g/f might have ran it out of gas, but that doesn't explain to me why it won't turn over with a new stater, ign switch and battery. The starter works and will turn over the motor just fine if you jump the solenoid and all of the relays & fuses are good. I checked all of the fuses and swapped all of the relays into the car horn relay block to check them. The fuel pump isn't priming the system when you go to position 2 with the key, but even if the fuel pump is dead, how would that prevent the car from turning over? Starter solenoid isn't getting 12v from the ignition when you go to start it. Haven't checked codes yet as I don't have a reader but the only thing left to replace is the fuel pump and neutral safety switch on the clutch lol. Thanks for your help. Any pointers are appreciated.

4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

If the starter is getting 12 volts when the key is turned (to the smaller wire), it should work. Are you sure the new starter is good?

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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 10:21 PM

THEWOOGINATOR

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The starter is NOT getting 12v when you go to position 3 on the ignition. Since I last posted, I was able to narrow it down to either the powertrain control module or the crankshaft position sensor. I was able to jump the starter solenoid directly to the battery to turn the car over, but it still wouldn't start. I thought the fuel pump was bad, but I shorted the relay and it works fine, so that isn't the issue. When you go to position 2 on the ignition, it's the PCM that tells the fuel pump to turn on for a second to prime the fuel lines and it's the PCM that supplies voltage to the relay. The car won't turn over without the signals from the PCM and CPS, so I was hoping it was the CPS because it's a cheaper part. The PCM doesn't need a signal from the CPS to prime the fuel system, so even if the CPS was bad, the fuel pump should still run for a second. Looks like I'm SOL and have to by a new PCM. Thanks for the reply though.