Maybe you guys can help me...

[Jr. Mechanic]

Hey, new here. I am a member of dodge.forum.com, neons.org, and dodgeownerforums.com, and none of the sites have been able to help me with my problem.

Ok, here it goes. I have a 97 Plymouth neon, SOHC, ATX. 2 years ago now I did a timing belt, head gasket, and water pump, started it up, and it ran fine for a day. Next day I went out to put the finishing touches on it. Started it, revved it a few times, shut it off, then restarted it and revved it. On its way back to idle, it stalled, and sounded like someone turned the key off, no smoke, clunks, bangs, or any other noises, then it would not restart.

Since then, I have determined that I have no spark, no key codes or codes with my scanner. I have a constant 12v feed from the center wire going into the coil pack, but no ground pulse from the PCM from the outer two wires.

I have:
Re set the timing
Replaced the PCM, twice
Replaced the wiring harness
Replaced the cam and crank sensors
Replaced the coil pack, twice
Checked all fuses and relays

I have plenty of fuel and I ran a compression test, fine all across.

Anyone have ANY clue as to what my problem could be? Ive had a $50 reward out to anyone that can come up with a solution that gets it running, so far nothing.

HELP!

[HoodooGuru]

Crank or cam position sensor?

[Jr. Mechanic]

Replaced, thanks for the response though.

[sohc98]

When i was goin through an issue like this with my car it ended up being that i had to reset the pcm. I see you replaced it but just try resetting it by doin the fuel pump fuse trick. You could also try new plugs, you could have fouled them out by just pumping fuel at them. Also did you check voltage to the cam and crank sensors? It could just be a wire grounding its self somewhere instead of going to the sensor. Check around the axle for this on the crank sensor. Keep us posted.

[dodgeneonACR98]

Can you actually hear the fuel pump kicking on when you turn on the key? How is your fuel preasure? You tested it didn't you? I would test it if not already and check for broken or worn wires. Prehaps even a ground wire thats not getting a good connection.

[scottrachel01]

No spark it has to be electrical some where. I'm sure you've done this but retrace your steps. Check every wire and ground that you would even be close to. Did it run good before the work you did and did it run good after? Spark going into the coil and out, something is telling it not to spark, check the wires there also. Where in ohio?

[Jr. Mechanic]

The fuse has been changed and tested, fuel pump kicks on, PCM hums, but no fire. Yes, I should have mentioned I replaced the plugs and wires as well. I hate sounding so negative, but all these things have been done. This thing is really getting on my nerves, ive talked to people that know neons up and down, ive had 2 different mechanics look at it, and countless posts and hours of working on it, BUT NOTHING!

the only thing I DID NOT check, was the cam gear in relation to the cam. Someone told me they had the same problem where the pin in the cam sheared or bent, but as I said I did a compression test and there are no codes.

[sohc98]

I know you said you reset the timing but id check it again as the engine will not start if the timing is off...like 180* off, have you checked wires for shorts? Like i stated check the crank sensor wires, its very common for them to rub on the axle and ground themselves out.

[alaskaneon]

if your timing isn't off...my guess is a simple ground fault. You wouldn't think it but one little ground wire can cause havoc like you are talking about. I had a stop/stall issue going on at one point and it traced back to be a loose ground wire on my driverside headlamp...when it grounded the car ran fine, when it didn't it would sputter or all together die.

[scottrachel01]

Any word? I was looking through my haynes manual and the common theme is a loose or broken ground wire.