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☯Trevorツ
☯Trevorツ asked in Cars & TransportationMaintenance & Repairs · 9 years ago

98 dodge neon runs rough while at stop lights and when little pressure is on gas peddle, why? (more details)?

Year: 1998

Make: Dodge

Model: Neon

Transmission: 5-spd

Engine: 2.0L SOHC

When I drive my car about 5 miles or so and attempt to coast while in gear and lightly tap on the gas the car sometimes does a nose dive and studders for a brief moment. Example: I was going through town in 2nd gear because traffic was going really slow, so i coasted in 2nd around 2300 rpm and lightly hit my gas peddle the times i needed it. When i lightly hit the gas peddle the car jerked alot and studdered and sounded like it wanted to stall.

The car has been doing this alot. The lower the gear im in, the worse the jerking and studdering. I thought this was being caused by a bad catalytic converter. So i got that changed. (also had both up stream and downstream o2 sensors replaced aswell), problem persists. Got a little more apparent though.

What could be causing this?

I am thinking it has something to do with my Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), because when i put alot of throttle to it, it acts normally. its only when i barley touch the gas peddle. Also, when im stopped at a stop light in neutral, the car idles around 750-800, sounding like it wants to stall after it acts like what i described.

ITEMS THAT ARE BRAND NEW AS OF LAST MONTH:

spark plugs (done last week)

spark plug wires (done last week)

crankshaft position sensor (done last week)

catalytic converter (done yesterday)

Exhaust manifold (done yesterday)

exhaust o2 sensors (done yesterday)

New belts (done last week)

These are all the parts we've changed while trying to figure out the problem.....its rather frustrating. Im starting to have alot of distrust in my mechanic....the guy cant diagnose this!!!

Update:

RICK: just tested as directed, idle didn't change.

Update 2:

when i attempted putting steady pressure on my throttle the engine revved up and down, up and down, up and down. changed about 100-200rpms while bouncing.

7 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Well, maybe the next thing you should try is replacing the back up lights. If the problem still persists, get the windows tinted. If THAT doesn't rectify the problem - get a new car radio.

    I guess what I'm really saying is "Stop throwing money at a problem. Fully diagnose it first, THEN fix what needs fixing".

    I'm not familiar with Neon's, but all cars have MAS (Mass Airflow Sensors). If it is not operating properly the computer may be flooding the engine. Do you smell unburnt gasoline out the tailpipe? If so, may be a bad MAS. You also didn't change the MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor. Sudden changes in vacuum pressure may not be interpreted quickly enough and MIGHT cause the problem.

    Isn't your computer throwing codes yet? Surely it should be. Go to your local auto parts store and have the codes read. They do it for free, and it will give you a better idea where to look.

    Among possibilities I can see is a possible major vacuum leak. That should be easy enough to find, and won't cost you a penny unless you find something leaking. It could even be a bad PCV valve causing you problems. But PLEASE, before you spend any more money, find out what is bothering the car. No sense in getting new tires to solve a lighting issue. The two are absolutely unrelated, and so have many of your repairs been so far.

    Plugs and wires - yeah, you can live with that. Crank Shaft Position sensor - you may have ended up needing one of them within the next six years, Catalytic converter? Remote possibility yours was getting clogged, but for a certain, your wallet is getting UN clogged FAST. O2 sensors and new exhaust? WHY? And Belts would have nothing to do with the stalling / stuttering issues you've been experiencing. By all means, figure out WHAT is bothering it before you waste any more of your money.

    Ava g'day mate.

    ")

    Source(s): Just an old retired dog who knows a few tricks.
  • lashon
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Neon Runs

    Source(s): https://shorte.im/baf2b
  • J J
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Wow talk about throwing money at it, you now hold the record for this month. Get rid of the mechanic and find a shop with a computer, The dealer wouldn't have hurt you that bad and has a cement floor and lifts with a nice waiting room.

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Just two words to say about this!

    Dodge Neon!

    Worst car ever made by man! It does not depend how many piece you change on or in that car.

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  • timernst1
    9 years ago

    I would try cleaning your throttle body. A dirty throttle body will cause the trouble you have described..

    Source(s): auto mech 36 years.
  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    It's because its a 98 Dodge Neon, buy a Huffy and save some money.

    Source(s): I'm a mechanic.
  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    its an injector problem, get em cleaned up and it will go away.

    Source(s): google
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