I have bought a 97 neon sport w/ DOHC, 5spd..
I was driving the car and it was fine for the first 40 mins. Then i drove it again later (about an hour) and after 10 minutes it just died, right on the spot. I thought it was the coil, so i replaced it (15 minutes) and started the car and continued driving. 5 minutes later it died again. I checked all i could and i couldnt find anything so 10 minutes later i started it again and drove for three minutes where it died.
The car has 68k on it, its in great shape and Im not sure what to do. The third time it stalled the CEL came on to i ran it and it came back with a emissions issue: EGR and Camshaft sensor.
i cleared the codes it drove for a bit and died.. since then the CEL hasnt come back but its still stalling out.
I have no problem replacing the cam sensor if it will help.. I jsut reasoned that if it does it intermittenly then its probably not the sensor....right?
As for the EGR.. is there a way i can wire it up to always be closed? or is it only vaccuum? without actaully taking it off or buing a vac. pump, how do i test the thing?
Lastly, does my car have a crankshaft sensor? could this be related?

oh and the needle on the speedometer started jumping around +/-5 right before it died the first time, and continued since... i dont know if thats just poor contacts or if its related.. if its poor grounding for the engine, where would i look?

Thank you sooo much!

 

Check the wiring to the fuel pump. It mmay be grounding out on you or it could be your fuel pump overheating and shutting down.

Yes there is a crankshaft sensor on the neon. I'd also check the connections to the camshaft sensor.

 

Alright I will give that a try.
I had limited time today, but i turned the key and the car started right up, it ran for 15 minutes till i turned it off.. im starting to think it may be heat related.. as the car gets hot... hmm suggestions?
Lastly, what do you think would cause the speedo needle to shutter? Just the solder contacts... seems more like a sender or igntion system..?

thanks
gtm

 

I already suggested the fuel pump overheating. Does your temp gauge show it's overheating at all?

The speedo could need to be resoldered.

 

Temp gauge shows its right where its supposed to be.
The speedo is the only needle flicking.

What does the temp gauge have to do with the fuel pump 'overheating'? dont the fuel pumps either wear out or short out?

thanks for all your help
gtm

 

Fuel pump wouldn't have anything to do with a car overheating. If the pump overheats, it shuts down.

 

thats why I was wondering why you were asking about the temp needle.

the car doesnt sputter out as if its running out of fuel (although il look into that with the pressure valve on the fuel rail), but it just diest right at that moment...shich would point to an electrical issue... the hardest part is waiting for it to die so i can diagnose it..
thanks