2003 Dodge Neon SXT Total Electrical Failure

DJMaxSmart86 · #1 09-24-2009, 04:08 AM

Hi,

I was driving my '03 Neon Sxt when the battery light came on.
I thought nothing of it until the check engine light and air bag light
came on as well. The car's automatic transmission would not shift like it was supposed to at higher rpm's either. Then my dashboard lights, and headlights grew dim and
the radio would not turn on. My turn signals or hazard lights would not work.
I took it to Auto Zone to have them hook their gizmo up to it and they could not even
get a code because the guy said the ECM didn't work. Luckily I hadn't turned the car
off and i made it to the dealer to drop the car off. I tried re-starting it but no luck.
Any idea what the hell could've caused this and was I right for thinking this was a dealer
issue? I've still got a couple thousand miles before my 80,000 mile powertrain warrantee is up. I'll have the car paid off by the beginning of November.
Should I keep the car after the dealer fixes it? Was this just a fluke electrical problem?

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srt4rez · #2 09-24-2009, 10:51 AM

Sounds to me like your alternator went out, if not check all your wirings that go to the charging system. Also check all your fuses too! Good luck!

darthroush · #3 09-24-2009, 03:36 PM

If you have a warranty still, use it. Save yourself the money and trouble of trying to fix it.

neisg1 · #4 09-25-2009, 03:17 AM

I agree, either the alternator died and the battery went dead or the battery is totaly shot. If the voltage drops low enough the computer will reset and not show you any codes.

srt4rez · #5 09-25-2009, 10:57 AM

Yes, check for the warranty and go from there.

deranged · #6 09-25-2009, 01:22 PM

I once had to drive our 02 Neon ES 60+ miles with a stone dead battery. Most of the same symptoms you describe but it shifted fine. The cooling fan still ran but every time it kicked on really weird stuff would go on with the gauges and you could tell the car wanted to quit running.

DJMaxSmart86 · #7 09-26-2009, 05:47 AM

Hi,

Thanx for the suggestions. It WAS the alternator and of course it wasn't
covered by my warrantee so I had to cough up almost $500 for the repair bill.

deranged · #8 09-26-2009, 08:02 AM

Owwwwwwwwwwww! That sucks!