Hello, I'm new and this is my first posting. I have a 1996 Neon 2dr with a 5 speed. The other day I was driving and there was a weird (very quiet) sqeeking sound coming from the dash right around the glove box that I have never heard before. It sounded kind of like a light crackeling sound. This went on for about 5 miutes but nothing happened. As I pulled into work, the car shut down. Every warining light on the gage cluster came on, the cd player spit out the cd, and I coasted into a parking spot. After I parked, I tried starting it and it started just fine. I haven't had a problem since, but would like to know what is going on and if this is going to happen again? I don't know if it matters, but it was 2 degrees F that day where I lived. I had been driving for about 10 minutes. I keep the car well tuned with all regular maint. and very easy driving habits. I appreciate any input, thanks!

 

the same thing happened to me once, turned out to be a short inan electrical connection going into the passenger door. one of the heat shields on a wire had worn off. there are a few connections going over there, pwr locks/windows if you have them, and the little sensor that turns the interior lights on when the door is open. a short in your electrical system is dangerous, plus it can put a constant draw on your battery. the sad thing is you almost have to check every individual wire to see which one it is. The sound you are describing sounds exaclty like the sound i heard from my car, and in the same location.

 

Thanks for the input. I will try to check the wiring out as soon as I can. Right now there is 20 inches of snow around my car, so it might be a while. I do have power door locks, and the interior light has always been going off and on without notice when the door is open. Do you remember what connection had the problem? This might make it easier to look up on the wiring diagram. Thanks again

 

mine was actually a wire for the door light. if the passenger side door was open - the light would stay on for a second, then cut out and you could hear that crackling noise really bad until you shut the door again. interesting that your light is cutting out too. could be the same exact issue. i would check that sensor-push button thing - first.

 

Today it shut down again. It only does it when I am on a very bumpy road. I really want to get in there and fix it but there is still 2 feet of snow, and I park outside. I will certainly check that door switch for the light. Thanks again for the suggestion.

 

dk if it helps but my neon did the same thing...turned out to be the negative groundcable going to the fuse box next to the battery...just my 2 cents

 

After the snow cleared two weeks ago, I went out and took a look. I found that the cable leading to the fuse box was pulled out. The box was just getting enough power to run, but would arc and cause problems. The battery was getting jostled on the bumpy roads. When I cut my battery tray to make room for the new CAI, I removed the battery support. This caused the battery to shift foward and pull the wire out. I just cleaned everything off, reconnected the cables, coverd it all in sealat, and shimmed the battery. Cross my fingers, but I haven't had a problem since. Thanks for the input guys.

Keep on the road