Hey I'm new to the neon world and need some help.

I was driving my car one day then went to drive it 2 days later, and it wouldn't start. The car will not turn over, when I turn the key nothing happens. I have full power, ie: radio and lights. The car has 125 000 Km (77 000 miles), and is a 1997.

I first replaced the battery, because it looked old as hell.

I then got the starter tested, and it tested fine.

I replaced the sparkplug wires and still nothing.

I looked for a distributer, but it seems neons dont have them. I beilve they have some sort of coil.

What else could be the problem? I am mechanicly inclined just not used to neons.

Thanks

 

well i want to say starter relay.

your not getting any power at all to anything when you turn your key?

if thats the case, check you connections at the top of the batt and make sure they are super clean(shinny like a nickel). the check the ground and make sure its got a good connection.

 

Yep battery conection is clean, and I am getting power to the starter, I checked that.

I checked all the fuses next to the battery. I replaced the started fuse with another old one that I am 90% sure was good (any real way to check? Its the one that is big and black with 5 or so prongs coming out of it.)

I broke my ground by mistake, and then re wired it, so that is good.

When I put the key in and turn it to on (just before you turn it to crank) my radio will come on and the lights will work, and I get the ding ding sound. After that I try to start it, nothing happens, no sound at all.

Also the starter needs to be grounded right? Reason I ask is when I took the old one off their was a wire coming from the ground of the battery to the ground on the starter.

Any more ideas?

 

go to your relay box under the hood and swap your horn relay with the starter one (dont worry its the same part#) this sould give you and indication if your relay is part of the problem.

another thing it could be is locking ignition cylinder, if your have problems with your key that would be a symptom.

 

Im at work right now and will have to try that whenI get home. And up to this point I have had zero problems with the car.

 

Yes it needs to be grounded.

Do you hear the fuel pump? Have you checked for spark? Fuel pressure?

 

Nope I never checked for spark or fuel pressure, I figured the car would atleast turn over. How would I check for spark? And could it even be that, becuase my car is not even turning over?

As for the fuel pump I can't tell if it is turning on, that damn ding sound is too loud. But I beleive it is.

 

i would start by grounding ur starter if u havent.mtx check safety swi

 

Well now that I am home I have double checked the relays, double checked all my grounds. Everything is good.

After reading some more I beleive that it is the ignition modulater or something to that sort. Anyone know where this is located so I can check that out?

Also any more ideas?

Thanks

 

I switched out the ignition switch today, that did nothing. So to recap:

All grounds are good.

Battery is good.

Starter is good.

All relays/fuses are good.

I guess all that is left is the ecu. That is located right beside the battery correct?

After I try that I guess its off to the shop.