Subject: Dodge/Plymouth Neon FAQ
Supersedes: <autos/chrysler-faq/neon_827233826@rtfm.mit.edu>
Date: 3 Apr 1996 22:14:49 GMT
Summary: Getting info about, buying, and maintaining a Neon
X-Last-Updated: 1995/10/04

Posting-Frequency: every 15 days

Dodge/Plymouth Neon FAQ
Last modified: 10/01/95 (previous revision: 06/06/95)

Maintained by Susan Goetcheus (black '95 Neon Sport sedan)
Send comments, suggestions, and additions to susang@wing.net

You can retrive this FAQ in several ways:
.- anonymous FTP
.ftp rtfm.mit.edu  /pub/usenet/rec.answers/autos/chrysler-faq/neon

.- World Wide Web
.ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/rec.answers/autos/chrysler-faq/neon
.http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/autos/chrysler-faq/neon/faq.html
.http://www.public.iastate.edu/~wiggs2/text/neon.faq

.- email
.send a message to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the following line
.in the body of the message:
.send /pub/usenet/rec.answers/autos/chrysler-faq/neon

What's New
----------
1.2.added Chrysler home page
1.3.added Chrysler International phone number (to get Neon CD-ROM)
1.4. "
3.3 added Troubleshooting section
3.4 removed out-of-date TSB list; added links to WWW/ftp sources

----------
Contents:

 1.0.Finding Out About the Neon
.1.1  What's So Great About the Neon?
.1.2  Online Sources
.1.3  Phone Numbers
.1.4  Chrysler-Supplied Information
.1.5  Magazine/Newspaper/Online Articles

 2.0.Buying a Neon
.2.1  Pricing
.2.2  Rebates and Discounts
.2.3  Dealer Information
.2.4  Miscellaneous Questions

 3.0.Keeping Your Neon Happy :)
.3.1  General
.3.2  Maintenance and Modifications
.3.3  Troubleshooting
.3.4  Technical Service Bulletins

Acknowledgments
Copyright Notice and Distribution Permission

----------
1.0.Finding Out About the Neon

1.1.What's So Great About the Neon?

.The Dodge and Plymouth Neons are Chrysler's entry in the small-car 
.market. They appeared at dealers in the US in January 1994, and 
.seem to be pretty popular in spite of two early recalls. 

.Here are some (admittedly biased) opinions from rec.autos.misc 
.and the Neon mailing list:

.Advantages:
.* Good for-class acceleration
.* Great mileage considering the acceleration
.* Smooth manual transmission
.* Lots of space inside (trunk space is average for this class)
.* Superb handling, even on wet roads, with the 14" tires
.* Distributorless ignition (DIS) -- prevents many problems
.* You can check the engine computer yourself for many problems
.* Returnless fuel injection -- safer and less parts to go wrong
.* One of the best price/features ratios in its class
.* Very distinctive look

.Disadvantages:
.* Engine noise at high speeds
.* Low torque at low engine speeds; you have to get used to keeping the
.  engine at 2000 rpm or higher if you want instant acceleration
.* No reliability record yet
.* Very distinctive look
.
1.2.Online Sources

.WWW
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Neon home page (unofficial)
.http://www.public.iastate.edu/~wiggs2/neon.html
.  Neon Technical Service Bulletins, options, prices, ...

.Chrysler page (unofficial)
.http://www.mordor.com/valiant/valiant.html
.  Opinions about dealers, info about new Chrysler products, ...

.Chrysler Corporate page
.http://www.chryslercorp.com

.Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge pages
.http://www.rossroy.com/chrysler.htm
.http://www.rossroy.com/plymouth.htm
.http://www.4adodge.com/

.Dealernet Manufacturers page (follow the Dodge link to find the Neon)
.http://www.dealernet.com:80/cgi-bin/texdnv?file=/manufact.htm

.Edmunds information
.gopher://gopher.enews.com:70/00/showroom/edmunds/make/dodge/dodgneon.95
.  Dodge Neon Prices and Specs
.gopher://gopher.enews.com:70/00/showroom/edmunds/make/plymouth/
.plymneon.95
.  Plymouth Neon Prices and Specs
.gopher://gopher.enews.com:70/11/showroom/edmunds/topten/neon/neon.wup
.  Critical Review

.The PM Zone (Popular Mechanics' Web site)
.http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/auto/2PL_NEON.html
.  An editor's report and a summary of owners' reports
.http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/auto/D_NEON.html  (or PL_NEON.html)
.  Excerpt from 1995 New Car and Truck Buyers Guide

.Virtual Library Auto Site
.http://www.w3.org/hypertext/DataSources/bySubject/Automotive/
.automotive.html

.Automotive Articles Archive Server
.Maintained by richard welty (welty@balltown.cma.com)
.The old rec.autos.* email article sever has been discontinued.
.The articles once available from it may be found in
.ftp://ftp.balltown.cma.com/pub/misc/Autos/

.Goodyear Tires
.http://www.goodyear.com
.
.Performance parts for the Neon
.http://www.cyberauto.com
.K&N air filter page
.http://www.cyberauto.com/catalogs/areas/top_end/kn/air_filters.html

.Mailing List
.~~~~~~~~~~
.To subscribe to the Neon mailing list, send the command 'subscribe' 
.in the body of a mail message to neon-request@iastate.edu

.To post to the list, send a message to neon@iastate.edu

.To remove yourself from the list, send the command 'unsubscribe'
.in the body of a mail message to neon-request@iastate.edu

.Send questions to wiggs@iastate.edu. The mailing list is run by 
.the Majordomo list manager. To retrieve a list of the commands you 
.can send to Majordomo, send the word 'help' in the body of a message 
.to Majordomo@iastate.edu

.Digest for Mailing List
.~~~~~~~~~~
.To subscribe to the digest for the Neon mailing list, send the
.command 'subscribe' in the body of a mail message to
.neon-digest-request@iastate.edu

.To remove yourself from the digest list, send the command 
.'unsubscribe neon-digest' in the body of a mail message to 
.neon-digest-request@iastate.edu
.
.Archives for Mailing List
.~~~~~~~~~~
.The archives are located at
.http://www.cc.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/majordomo/mlwwwgate/neon
.They are not searchable.

.Usenet Newsgroups
.~~~~~~~~~~
.rec.autos.misc - General automotive stuff
.rec.autos.makers.chrysler - Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth/Jeep/Eagle products

1.3.Phone Numbers
.(the following numbers are only valid in the US)
.1-800-NEW-NEON.information about Neon
.1-800-992-1997.Chrysler Customer Service
.1-800-998-1110.Neon Racing Headquarters (fax number 810-553-2138)
.1-800-255-9877  Automobility Headquarters (info about reimbursements
...for aftermarket adaptation of new vehicles for people
...with disabilities)
.1-800-253-0823.order a catalog of replicas of Chrysler vehicles
.1-800-4-A-DODGE.get a Dodge catalog or other product info

.(the following number is valid if you're not in the US)
.810-978-6428.Chrysler International

1.4.Chrysler-Supplied Information

.Call 1-800-NEW-NEON or see your dealer to get a booklet that describes 
.the features of the Neon, including quotes from various articles. 
.The last two inside pages contain the "neon menu", which lists all 
.standard/optional equipment, packages and options, and specifications.

.To get the Neon CD-ROM catalog, call 1-800-PLYMOUTH (in the US) or
.810-978-6428 (outside the US).  The CD-ROM is free and runs on Windows
.3.1 and Mac System 7.

.See your dealer for other information, including the Automobile 
.Magazine "'94 Automobile of the Year" article and a Competitive 
.Comparisons handout that gives the results of various tests.

1.5.Magazine/Newspaper/Online Articles (in order by date of publication)

."Chrysler's Neon", Business Week, May 3, 1993.
."Chrysler Design Investigation", Motor Trend, July 1993.
."'94 Automobile of the Year: Dodge/Plymouth Neon", Automobile
.  Magazine, January 1994.
."Will Success Spoil Chrysler?", Fortune, January 10, 1994.
."Early warnings", Forbes, February 28, 1994.
."Chrysler's star keeps rising", U.S. News & World Report, 
.  February 28, 1994.
."Total recall (Chrysler launches marketing campaign for Neon
.  subcompact despite recall)", New York, 2/28/94.
."Road Test: 1995 Plymouth Neon Sport", Road & Track, May 1994.
."We Can't Fill Orders Fast Enough", Parade Magazine, 10/2/94.
.AutoFile 1995, published by AutoWeek
."The Best Products of 1994", Time Magazine, December 26, 1994.
.Available on the WWW as:
.http://www.timeinc.com/time/magazine/domestic/1994/941226/941226.best.products.html
.Car and Driver 10/93, p.52-4
.Motor Trend 10/93, p.120-2
.Popular Mechanics 10/93, p.47
.Road and Track 11/93, p.51
.Popular Science 11/93, p.37
.Business Week 12/27/93-1/3/94, p.38
.Car and Driver 4/94, p.55-7
.Popular Science 7/94, p.60-4
.Consumer Reports 10/94

.The book _Comeback: The Fall and Rise of the American Automobile
.Industry_, by Paul Ingrassia and Joseph B. White, devotes a whole
.chapter to the Neon.

----------
2.0.Buying a Neon

2.1.Pricing

.For current invoice/MSRP prices and standard equipment and package 
.content, check your newsstand for a price magazine or look at the 
.Edmunds gopher site:
.gopher://gopher.enews.com:70/00/showroom/edmunds/make/dodge/dodneon.car

2.2.Rebates and Discounts (good only in the US)

.Chrysler offers a $400 discount to college graduates
.and people enrolled in post-graduate programs. Check with
.your dealer for eligibility.

2.3.Dealer Information

.How do I find a good dealer in my area?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Call the Chrysler Five-Star Dealers number, 1-800-677-5782. They'll
.give you names/numbers of the dealers in your area who have earned 
.the Five-Star ranking. You'll then receive by mail a brochure
.explaining how the dealers earned that designation.

.Should I use Citibank Autovantage?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.The Citibank AutoVantage program (available to Citibank cardmembers)
.is similar to AAA, and will also provide free invoice prices for cars.
.You can also buy a car through an AutoVantage dealer. The program 
.costs $59 (US) a year. For more information, call 1-800-288-9921.

.John Gallaugher writes (message from Fall 1994):
.The folks I've dealt with have provided me with outstanding 
.service. Rick Neadom is the guy in factory sales. He's been 
.helpful, courteous, and informative. The final price the folks 
.worked up for me will charge me $50 under dealer cost. The 
.incidentals are $136 for marketing fees/gas/etc. and $100 for 
.title/reg plus 7.00% tax. If you don't mind waiting 12 - 16 weeks 
.for delivery it seems like a great way to save.

.On 8/28/95, Alan Perry (esprit@netcom.com) wrote:
.I just got a new Sport Sedan through Citibank Autovantage.  The 
.price was $500 over invoice but there is a $600 rebate, so I got the 
.car for $100 under invoice.  The dealership had to get the car that 
.I wanted from another dealership, so I got the car the next day. The 
.amount over invoice varied from dealership to dealership.

2.4.Miscellaneous Questions

.How can I tell the different models apart?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Base: black bumpers and door handles; no body-side moldings; 
.      "dog-dish" wheel covers
.Highline: body-color bumpers, black door handles, body-color moldings
.Sport: body-color bumpers and door handles (some early 4drs had black 
.       door handles); grey moldings; fog lights
           
.Black Sports and Highlines have molded black bumpers - not painted.

.What's an ACR model?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.ACR stands for American Club Racing.  It is a package available
.for the base Neon sedan and coupe, and is intended for those who
.want to race their Neon in SCCA events. The ACR is street legal.

.Why do Neons have the Pentastar badge on only one side?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Wayne Toy writes: "...when Chrysler introduced the Pentastar as a 
.trademark, Chrysler vehicles had the Pentastar installed on the 
.front passenger fender. This tradition lasted until 1971 and was 
.revived in 1993. So, the answer is tradition..."

.How can I tell where and when a particular Neon was made?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Check the first number of the VIN:
.1.United States
.2.Canada
.3.Mexico
.4.some transplants (e.g., DiamondStar)
.
.To find the production date, open the driver's door and look at 
.the sticker. There are two figures: one is the month/year and the
.other is MDH (month-day-hour), which is the actual time it was built.

.Is the Neon safe?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.(Data posted to rec.autos.misc by Craig Walsh; reposted to
.rec.autos.makers.chrysler by Ray Schroeder)
.The following chart contains the results of the new vehicle 
.crash test program run by the National Highway Traffic Safety 
.Administration on 1995 model year cars. It is an interim results 
.report for 1995 model year vehicles through March, 1995.
 
.NHTSA notes that all vehicles were crashed in frontal tests at 
.35 mph into a fixed barrier. This is equivalent to a head-on 
.collision between to identical vehicles, each moving at 35 mph. 
.Test results apply to front seat occupants using all occupant 
.protection equipment provided with the vehicle and DO NOT apply 
.to unbelted occupants.
 
.Five stars (*****) (asterisks) is the highest rating; one (*) is 
.the lowest. The capital letter D after a rating means that the 
.NHTSA's hybrid II dummy was used in the test.
 
PASSENGER CARS: LIGHT (2000-2499 POUNDS)

Vehicle          Curb Wgt  Safety   Rating    Belts & air bag  Belts Only
                 (pounds)  driv.    pass.     driv.  pass.     driv. pass.
Ford Aspire        2086    ****     ****        X     X
4dr HB

Honda Civic        2317    ***      ***         X     X
4dr sedan

Honda Civic        2498    ***D     ****D       X     X
2dr coupe

Hyundai Scoupe     2201    ****D    ****D                       X     X
2dr

Plymouth Neon      2391    ***      ***         X     X
4dr sedan

Saturn SL2         2332    ****     ****        X     X
4dr sedan

Toyota Tercel      2176    ***      ****        X     X
4dr sedan


----------
3.0.Keeping Your Neon Happy

*****.Much of the information here is from the car newsgroups and 
*****.Neon mailing list, and since I can't verify all of it, I make
*****.no claims about its validity.  Let the driver beware.

3.1.General

.Neon driving school
.~~~~~~~~~~
.For information on the Neon racing program or to reserve a spot,
.call 1-800-998-1110 8AM - 5PM EST. They will fax/mail you signup 
.info.  The driving school costs $40 for 1/2 day.

.Problems on the road
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Chrysler offers 24-hour customer roadside assistance on all Neons 
.for three years or 36,000 miles. This includes helping if you run 
.out of gas and providing a loaner car (or hotel) if you get stranded. 
.You should receive a CustomerOneCare card with your VIN on the back
.and the emergency number (1-800-521-2779) on the front.

.Goodyear tires
.~~~~~~~~~~
.The Goodyear tires on the Neon come with a book explaining warranty 
.coverage by Goodyear. One thing it doesn't tell you is that you must,
.within 1000 miles, register the tire DOT serial numbers with a 
.Goodyear tire store for warranty activation.

.How do I break in my Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Don't drive over 80-90 km/h for the first 1500 kilometers, or
.55 MPH for the first 500-1000 miles. City driving is better 
.than highway driving to break in the car, since it gives your 
.engine more opportunities to rev at different speeds.

.What should I expect when the ABS engages?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.You should get feedback in the form of an audible "chunk chunk chunk"
.sound AND a strong pulsing of the brake pedal. If the ABS light does
.not come on and you are able to maintain steering control, everything
.should be fine.

.Warning: Don't show off your ABS system to any friends until after the 
.break-in period, because it will create hot spots.

.Hey! Why's there all this rust underneath my *new* Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Many of the parts underneath the car, such as brake drums, outer 
.edges of rotors, suspension arms, and steering linkages, are 
.not painted. This is completely normal, and the parts are not
.likely to rust through and fall off.
.
.How can I keep from getting a shock when I exit my Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Method 1: Get a conductive strap that bolts to the frame - when you
.stop, the end contacts the ground and bleeds the charge off the car.

.Method 2: Keep your hand on the edge of the door (or any metal part)
.as you get out.
.
.Method 3: Drive naked. Then you won't build up any static electricity
.between you and your clothes. If you wet your pants, that should
.dissipate the excess charge as well.
.(FAQ author's note: This may violate indecent exposure laws in
.some states. :)

.How high should my MPG (miles per gallon) be?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.First, remember that your MPG will vary depending on how far
.you are into your breakin period, whether you have an automatic
.or manual transmission (manuals get better mileage), and whether 
.you run the air conditioning. Also, to compute MPG, you should
.keep stats over a number of fillups and make sure you fill your
.gas tank to the same level each time.
.
.These are the numbers I computed from a completely unscientific survey
.on the Neon mailing list:
.
.manual transmission.24.75 city (an average of 8 data points) 
....35.6 highway (6 dp)
.auto transmission.24.6 city (8 dp)
....33.6 highway (3 dp)
.
3.2.Maintenance and Modifications

.Can I get climate-control knobs that have see-through indicators?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Your dealer can order these knobs if you have an early Neon that
.got the opaque knobs. The vent/temp/circ knobs are $2.75 (US) each, 
.and the part number is MK01RS6 (quartz) or MK01RF8 (driftwood).

.For cars with A/C, the blower knob is $4.10 (US) and the part number is
.MK02RS6 (quartz) or MK02RF8 (driftwood).  For cars without A/C, the
.blower knob is $4.35 (US) and the part number is MK98RS6 (quartz) or
.MK98RF8 (driftwood).
.
.Note that these part numbers are the same as for the original knobs,
.so if your dealer gets confused just tell him or her to use these 
.numbers and you'll get the new knobs.
.
.To install the knobs, pull off the cover that surrounds the controls:
.Open the ash tray and pull the cigarette lighter out. Pull from the 
.ash tray and lighter openings and pop the lower corner out. Then just 
.work around the cover.

.What size speakers does the Neon take?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.According to the Crutchfield electronics catalog:
.Rear speakers: 6"x9"
.Door speakers: 5.25"
.
.Where can I get a bra for the Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.The parts department at your local dealer should be able to order one
.for you.  Matt Wiggins reports that list cost is $66 and retail is $88.
.
.John Steczkowski (stecz@pencom.com) writes:
.I have a Colgan Custom bra that I ordered from AutoSport Motoring 
.Accessories (512-452-9533, tell them I sent you) and works fine. I 
.wouldn't recommend the .bras that you commonly get at Pep Boys and 
.see on many cars (Le Bra). They don't fit properly and they don't 
.have enough padding. The key thing to look for is that the bra can 
.not move/flap at all when installed on the car, if it does it will 
.scratch/scuff the paint.

.Also, don't leave the bra on the car all the time. I've found that 
.if I'm driving, and the bra gets wet, you can keep driving and there 
.is enough airflow under the bra to dry it pretty quickly, but when 
.you stop, especially if the sun is out, take the bra off and make 
.sure it is dry, if it isn't leave it off or it can mess up the paint.

.Where can I get replacement windshield wipers?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.The Neon's wipers are different sizes.  You can buy a set at Chrysler
.dealers; Pep Boys also carries individual wipers.
..
.Are there any sunshades that fit the Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Pep Boys carries one that will cover the windshield; it's made of 
.foam and mylar and folds up into a 34" X 6" X 4" package.

.Canvas Works makes the Heat Shield, which is custom-made for the 
.Neon. Their phone number is 1-800-777-6405, and the cost is $29.95.
.
.Can I get an add-on sunroof?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.ASC (Emeryville, CA, USA) makes a sunroof for the Neon; a
.power one (very much like those on Honda Accords), which 
.lists at $895, and a manual "push-up" one.  These sunroofs 
.are supposed to *increase* the car's structural rigidity.
.Tel: (510) 655 8706

.What is a K&N filter and what will it do for my Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.A K&N air filter is a replacement made of layers of cotton gauze 
.between a wire mesh to hold its shape and covered (saturated) with 
.an oil. It passes more air than a paper filter, and due to the oil, 
.filters better than a paper element. It will give you more power
.at higher RPMs and increase your MPG slightly (~1MPG).

.The filter is pre-oiled and ready to install. Eventually you will need
.the cleaning and re-oiling kit, which costs about $20US and comes with
.spray cans of cleaner and oil.

.Filter # 33-2002 is exactly the same size as the stock filter. 
.Installing this is the same as installing a Chrysler filter.

.The K&N "cone-filter" is a different design, which replaces the stock
.airbox as well. Installing this requires that the intake system be 
.slightly dismantled. This filter gives your Neon more power; however,
.if you want to autocross in SCCA stock classes, you can't modify the
.airbox.

.What kind of parts can I get to modify my Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.==========
.WARNING WARNING WARNING!
.On 7/14/95, David Cooley (cooldave@nando.net) wrote:
.I was testing the Nology plug wires on my neon. Definitely saw
.an increase in power, and about a 5-7% increase in mileage as well.  
.About a month ago, (wires 1 month old) I started having electrical 
.problems in the dash. Gauges going crazy while driving down the road 
.etc. The dealer has had the car 6 times in a month, the last time I 
.took it in, they replaced the entire wiring harness, then the 
.instrument cluster etc. After 6 days of work and conference calls 
.with the Chrysler tech support center, they decided to remove the 
.nology wires "just in case".  Problem gone. The dealership couldn't 
.cover it under warranty, because an aftermarket part caused the 
.problem, but they did eat 1/2 of the 25 hours labor involved and 
.didn't charge me for parts. I am now trying to get Nology to 
.reimburse me for the $1200 involved for labor, rental car, and the 
.cost of their wires.

.I would recommend to anyone with a computer controlled vehicle to avoid
.these like the plague!!!
.==========
.
.Archer Bros Racing has harnesses, roll bars, and other stuff.

.Borla has a Neon-specific muffler for the SOHC Neon. They claim
.an 8% increase in HP and improved sound. The muffler is made of
.stainless steel (T-304) and carries Borla's Million Mile Guarantee.
.Tel: (805) 986 8600
.
.Eibach makes a Pro Kit (springs) for the Neon.  It is a 
.progressive rate spring and will lower the car by 1 1/4 inches 
.both front and rear.  The list price is $289.
.Tel: (714) 727 3700

.Flowmaster has a muffler; part #42452 (16" long, 2 1/4" inlet)
.is ideal, but #42552 (16", 2 1/2") is all right. You need to
.get the brackets from your local muffler dealer.
.Tel: (800) 544 4761

.Forward Motion carry Pnumbers for MP, K&N air cleaner, and
.Magnecor wires.
.Tel: (717) 456 6038
.
.Iversen Motor Co. wholesales Mopar parts. They sell a Neon spoiler
.(comes prepainted, so know your paint code before you call) for
.about $180.
.Tel: (800) 255-9545

.Jacobs Electronics also has a set of wires for $46.50. 
.Tel: (800) 627 8800

.LRE (Lambros) claims to have a Fresh Air induction kit, adjustable 
.fuel pressure regulator kit, K&N air filter, engine torque straps, 
.spark plugs, wires, and more. However, people who have called them
.say that all they have are Magnecore plug wires.
.Tel: (314) 725 7181
.
.Mopar I.D. Headquarters has Neon stickers; 3 full-color 26" "Neon" 
.stickers plus 2 "Mopar Performance" stickers are $48.88. Mounted on 
.magnetic the cost is $83.95. A single "Neon Racing" windshield sticker 
.is $19.95. The large 87" "Neon" stickers are part of a $310.95 package 
.that includes a 26" "Neon" hood sticker, the aforementioned "Mopar 
.Performance" stickers, 3 sets of numbers and fluorescent material to 
.cover headlights, taillights, etc.
.Tel: (800) 872 4614 (in Michigan, (810) 553 0202 )
.Fax: (810) 553 0924
.Hours are 9am-6pm EST. 
.
.Neon Performance Headquarters has Neon racing stuff, including Race 
.Cage, Hawk Brake Pads, K&N Filter ($30!), Adjustable Struts, 
.Aeroquip Lines, American Wheels, IMSA Springs, Sway Bar Kits, etc.
.Tel: (502) 363-3228    

.Motorsport Buffalo rents and sells race-prepped cars.
.Tel: (716) 893-6000

.Dynomax has a steel exhaust system available from the catalytic 
.converter on back. It replaces the stock 2 1/4" pipe with a 2 1/2" 
.diameter pipe, P/N 17412. You can just buy the muffler, along with
.a 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" converter, P/N 17693.
.Tel: (800) 767-DYNO 
.You can also order this system from Lane Automotive (800) 772-5266
.or Alamo Autosports (800) 880-0960 for $95 plus S/H.

.Can I get power windows as an add-on?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.For those of us who bought our Neons before power windows were
.available, U-CON Corp. manufactures a power window kit for Neons.
.The motor attaches to the inside of the door and a plastic "bubble" 
.attaches to the inside panel to add switches and cover the hole from 
.the crank.  The "bubbles" came in both driftwood and quartz to match 
.the color of the door.

.Tel: (818) 855 0973
.Fax: (818) 855 0934
.Address: 15323 Proctor Ave., City of Industry, CA 91745
.Mail address: P.O. Box 90143, City of Industry, CA 91714

.Which repair manual is better - the Chrysler one or the Haynes?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Chrysler's Neon manual is about four times the size of the Haynes.
.The Haynes lists only the meaning of computer codes, but the Neon 
.manual has an explanation of each code, plus theory behind the 
.operation of the engine and troubleshooting tips.
.
.Any auto parts store or bookstore should be able to get the Haynes 
.manual. The Neon shop manual part numbers are 81-270-5025 for the 
.main manual and P/N 81-270-5025a for the supplement; the first number 
.should get you both. Mail to Chrysler Corporation, Tech Authority,
.CIMS 423-21-06, 26001 Lawrence Avenue, Center Line, MI 48015
.Credit Card phone:  1-800-626-1523
.
.When should I change the oil the first time, and what kind should 
.I use?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Some people think that a lot of metal particles and assorted gunk
.collect during the break-in period, so they get the oil changed
.at around 500-1500 miles, or 800-2400 km. (I actually did mine at 
.1000 miles, or 1600 km.) You should then follow the schedule in 
.your maintenance book (every 3000 miles, or 4800 km.).

.From Excellence magazine (a Porsche-only magazine), May 1994:
.To remove metal debris circulating with the lubricant, oil should 
.also be changed frequently during the break-in period (at least 
.every 1,000 miles for the first 3,000)...
.
.Oil recommendations (from Erich Heuschele): run  5W-30 year round. 
.Use synthetic if you plan to keep your Neon for its whole usable life.
.If you are racing your Neon SOHC, use 5W-30 synthetic. If you are 
.racing a DOHC, use 15W-50 synthetic to reduce oil aeration 
.tendendencies.

.For more information on oil, see http://www.mobil.com

.How can I remove the oil filter without getting dirty?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.According to Doug Dawson (dawson@utpapa.ph.utexas.edu), "use a
.plastic newspaper wrapper, hanging down, to completely cover the 
.filter up to above the lip after it's been loosened slightly and 
.is turnable by hand - just let the filter drain and drop into the 
.bag, whereupon you can drain both the bag and filter together into 
.the drainpan."

.Is brake noise normal?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.This problem happens on any car due to dirt getting into the brakes.
.Although you can have a reputable dealer check it out, it's just 
.bad luck to get squeaky dirt in the brakes. You can "bead in" brakes 
.by being easy on them for the first 400 miles and then gradually 
.making harder and harder stops.

.What should I use to wash my Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Meguiar's Soft Wash Gel, #7 Polish, and Carnauba Wax are very
.good. Dishwashing soap, like Ivory or Dawn, is fairly mild
.and works pretty well.

.To keep your car's finish looking nice, avoid automatic car washes;
.the soap tends to be harsh, the brushes and strands may not have
.been thoroughly cleaned after the previous car went through, and 
.even touchless car washes hit your car with a lot of (water) pressure.
.They don't clean well underneath or in the crevices of the car.

.According to some people, you shouldn't wax your car until two 
.months after you buy it, because waxing too early doesn't allow
.the paint enough time to oxidize.

.At what pressure should I keep the tires?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.According to the sticker on the door, the 14" Eagle GA tires
.should be inflated to 32 psi. The recommended range (according
.to one dealer's service dept.) is 32-35 psi, which is where the
.tire is flat on the road. 34 or 35 in the front and 32 in the 
.back improves the handling while not making the ride too bumpy.
.However, if you pump your tires up too high you'll get better 
.gas mileage up to a point, but your ride will suffer and you'll 
.tend to wear out the center of the tire prematurely.

.How can I touch up scratches/chips on my Neon?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Chrysler sells bottles of touch-up paint. The parts department 
.can look up the paint code and sell you the correct one. If you 
.have the paint code any autobody supply place can make you a pint.

.For very small chips you can use medium weight porous paper and 
.just dab a sharp corner of the paper with a small mound of paint 
.on it in the chip. For very thin scratches, you can use a thin 
.paper towel dabbed in paint and then just sort of pull it along 
.the scratch. For bigger scratches matchsticks or paint brushes 
.work better. Make sure to have a towel and some paint thinner 
.handy just in case.
.
.How do I remove the plastic dashboard and the radio/climate control
.cover?
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Pull the dashboard up and then towards yourself. There are spring 
.clips in the front and a couple of plastic pieces at the back, so 
.be careful not to pull too hard.

.To remove the radio/climate control cover, open the ash tray and pull 
.the cigarette lighter out. Pull from the ash tray and lighter openings
.and you can pop the lower corner out. Then just work around the cover.

.ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS
.~~~~~~~~~~
.1. Cycle the ignition key ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON within 5 seconds.
.2. Count the number of times the "check engine" lamp on the 
.   instrument panel flashes on and off. The number of flashes 
.   represents the code. There is a slight pause between the 
.   flashes representing the first and second digits of the code. 
.   Longer pauses separate individual codes. For example,
.   flash-flash-flash [pause] flash-flash represents the code 32.
.   
.To cycle the ignition key ON means to turn it only as far as it
.takes to get the radio to come on.  It does not mean to turn the
.engine on.

.CODE Description of Trouble Code
.11 Timing belt skipped 1 tooth or more from initial learned value,
.   Intermittent loss of either camshaft or crankshaft position sensor,
.   No crank reference signal detected during engine cranking
.12 Direct battery input to PCM was disconnected within the last 50 
.   key-on cycles
.13 No change in MAP from start to run
.14 MAP sensor voltage too low
.15 No vehicle speed sensor signal
.17 Closed loop temp not reached or engine cold too long
.21 02s sensor problem (oxygen sensor), upstream or down stream
.22 Engine coolant temp sensor out of range
.23 Intake air temp sensor out of range
.24 Throttle Position sensor out of range
.25 Idle air control motor circuits, target idle not reached (+/- 200),
.   vacuum leak found
.27 Injector control circuit
.31 Evap purge flow monitor failure or evap solenoid circuit
.32 EGR system failure
.33 A/C clutch relay circuit
.34 Speed control Solenoid circuits
.35 Rad Fan control relay circuit
.37 Torque converter clutch solenoid CKT or park/neutral switch failure
.41 Generator field not switching properly
.42 Fuel pump relay control ckt 
.   Auto shutdown relay control ckt
.   No ASD relay output voltage at PCM
.   Fuel level sending unit volts out of range
.   Fuel level unit No change over miles
.43 Multiple/ single cylinder misfire
.44 Battery temp sensor volts out of range
.46 Charging system voltage too low
.51 Fuel system lean
.52 Fuel system rich
.53 Internal control failure
.54 No Cam signal at PCM
.55 End of error messages (If you get this only, no errors were found)
.62 PCM failure SRI mile not stored
.63 PCM Failure EEPROM write denied
.64 Catalytic Converter Efficiency Failure
.65 Power steering switch failure

3.3 Troubleshooting

This section lists common problems and some suggestions about what to do.

Cosmetic problems
~~~~~~~~~~
paint problems
.- Dark-colored Neons may have a paint glitch that stems from 
.  moisture caught between the paint and the clear-coat finish.
.  Under direct sunlight, the paint appears to have a blochy 
.  shadow or spotting effect. The spotting occurs within three 
.  weeks of the vehicle leaving the plant, while the paint job 
.  is still curing, and if there was a 50 degree temperature 
.  swing during the day. Chrysler will repaint suspect vehicles 
.  for free. Neons manufactured at the Toluca plant from 10/94 -
.  4/95 may be affected.
rubber molding around trunk comes off
.- 3M weatherstrip adhesive will stick the molding to the trunk
.  (permanently, so be careful :)
goo oozing from black rubber seals around back window
.- TSB - use Mopar concentrated washer fluid to clean
.  The factory used hot-melt glue to hold the molding in place while 
.  the window sealant cured. The glue may melt and ooze onto the window.
wax on black door handles
.- use silicon spray and wipe off
.- use a toothbrush with some soap and water or Meguiar's plastic 
.  cleaner

Noises
~~~~~~~~~~
squeaky brakes
.- TSB #05-08-95 replace rotors - the part number is PN 4509327
clunk/rattle from the front of car
.- TSB - check front wheel bearings
.- TSB #02-02-95 Front coil spring click - Customer complaint of a 
.  metallic click coming from either front strut assembly. The noise 
.  can occur when driving over bumpy road surfaces, but typically can 
.  be noticed over roads with medium to large bumps.  The noise should 
.  be more detectable at speeds around 30 MPH.
.- TSB #19-06-94 power steering lines may bang against the bottom of 
.  the car
.- Check the plastic cover in the wheel well; a plastic holder may 
.  have fallen out, causing the cover to make noise.
.- Check the hood prop; if it doesn't fit tightly into its retainer, 
.  put some foam strips under and around it.
clunking noise from steering column
.- dealer may need to order coil springs or replace steering column
.- TSB #19-05-94 Clicking noise in steering column
high-pitched whistle/squeak from front passenger side
.- TSB # 24-07-95 replace A/C expansion valve
.- check the trans fluid; it may be a little low
popping sound in shift cable
.- TSB # 06-02-94 noise when operating clutch pedal
high-pitched whining noise from the middle to rear
of the car
.- may be coming from the PCM module (next to the battery) - some 
.  people have had it replaced, but the new one makes the same noise
.- the fuel pump on some Neons is very loud; people who have had the
.  dealer replace the pump say that the new pump is much quieter.
squeaking sound from rear
.- check the anti-sway bar where it's attached near the wheel; you
.  may need to apply a few drops of teflon lube to the top and bottom
.  pivot points around the bushings
squeaky exhaust noise
.- A squeaky exhaust seal (presumably where the exhaust manifold meets
.  to exhaust pipe) can emit a high-pitched noise; here are the parts
.  the dealer should replace to solve the problem (cost covered under
.  warranty):
.  qty         description                    list      net    total
.  (1) 4427779 Seal, ring-ring - none     $US17.25   $13.33   $13.33
.  (2) 4301631 Spring-exh pipe flg.           4.45     3.45     6.90
.  (2) 5217003 Bolt-mini-ox conv manif flg    2.70     2.08     4.16
.  (2) 6100499 Nut-exh manf to cyl hd stud    1.20     0.91     1.82
.  The part# for the ring may be different than the one listed above;
.  one dealer ordered #4546818.
clicking noise from trunk
.- check the latch into which the back seats are fastened
.- make sure the seatbelts aren't banging into each other :)

Other
~~~~~~~~~~
steering wheel shimmy/vibration
.- bushings in the control arm may have failed
.- one dealer tried a new steering column, then new wheels, then 
.  new tires
front end shimmy at about 100 KM/H
.- check the upper and lower control arm bushings.
inaccurate gas gauge
.- TSB # 08-42-94 bad fuel gauge sending unit or problem with gauge 
.  cluster
turn signal doesn't go off
.- TSB for replacement of switch
air-conditioner fan blows less air after being on for a while
.- TSB #24-20-94 "Evaporator Freeze-Up/Poor A/C Performance."
premium AM/FM/Cass radio display goes blank
.- Radio has been recalled for special service; you should have 
.  received a letter about this. Contact your dealer for a service 
.  appointment.
glovebox light stays on
.- Glue an electrical box knockout to the glovebox door on top of the 
.  existing contact button.
windows are noisy/leaking/loose/hard to shut
.- don't let people shut the doors by pushing on the windows
.- if the window crank is loose, have your dealer adjust it
.- dealer can perform window adjustments; make sure they've seen
.  Chrysler's training manual and videotape (released 12/94)
.- wipe the rubber door seals with silicon spray to keep the rubber in
.  good condition
.
3.4.Technical Service Bulletins
.~~~~~~~~~~
.Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) are sent to dealers by Chrysler;
.they explain the steps to take to fix common problems.
.
.TSBs for the Neon are available via WWW or ftp:
.WWW: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~wiggs2/neon-tsb.html
.ftp: ftp isum1.iastate.edu or isum2.iastate.edu
.     login: anonymous.wiggs
.     pw: <your-email-address>
    
.You can also get the TSB books for 1994. Prices are $18 for the 
.main book and $12 for the update/supplement book; shipping is
.$4 minimum. Call 1-800-626-1523 to order.

Acknowledgments:

Contributors have now gotten too numerous to list, but they're the
generous and knowledgeable folks who hang out on the Neon mailing
list and the rec.autos.makers.chrysler newsgroup. Thanks, everybody!

Copyright Notice and Distribution Permission:

This FAQ is copyright 1995, Susan M. Goetcheus. Permission is granted
to distribute it one-to-one by email.  For other types of distribution 
(e.g., FTP archives, World Wide Web, mailing lists), please send a
request to susang@wing.net (I'd like to know where the FAQ is going).
