99 neon with anti-theft problem?
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99 neon with anti-theft problem?
Hey guys, I have a bit of a conundrum and was hoping that someone here could help me! I have a 99 Plymouth Expresso Neon and have had it for about 2 years now. Not long after I got it the starter went out, so I replaced it with a remanned one (couldn't afford a new one at the time).
Now, all of a sudden it wouldn't start again, just out of the blue not trying to even turn over. So I assume it's the cheap a** starter conking out. I had the money to buy a nice shiny new one from Summit Racing this time. I put it on (which is a pain in and of itself with the dual fans) and turned the key... and nothing. So I double checked the connections and made sure the new wiring was good and tight, even took the battery out and hooked it up to the charger. Still nothing.
My dad told me that I should turn the headlights on and try to start it and check to see if the lights get dim when I try, and that if they don't dim that means the ignition switch is bad. So I did, and the lights stayed the same. Went and bought a new ignition switch and put it in (also took the old starter I pulled off to Auto Zone to test it, guess what? it worked! I was half tempted to take the new one off and return it, but figured I'm better off with it anyway) and with the new swich and high nopes, I turned the key. Still nothing.
Now my coworker told me that he had a problem similar to this with his Blazer, and when he called Chevy they told him that it was his factory anti-theft device and walked him through turning the key on and off in a specific series to undo it. So I called Chrysler (the number in my owner's manual) and from my VIN they tell me that yes, I do have a factory anti-theft device, but no, they can't tell me how to turn it off and I have to call a dealer. I called the dealer and apparently they're telling me that I have to tow the car there and have them reprogram the computer.
I cannot afford this and really want to fix this myself, just for my own satisfaction as well. I've never had a car problem I couldn't solve. There must be a way to bypass or disarm the antitheft thingy. I don't have an alarm or keyless entry and I don't have a smart key with a chip in it, just a plain old key with a Mopar star in it. I didn't even know I had theft protection, seeing as how my last 99 Neon was stolen (twice!). I would really like some help with this. I'm not too familiar with electrical work so if someone could give me detailed and specific instructions that would be wonderful! Thanks!
Now, all of a sudden it wouldn't start again, just out of the blue not trying to even turn over. So I assume it's the cheap a** starter conking out. I had the money to buy a nice shiny new one from Summit Racing this time. I put it on (which is a pain in and of itself with the dual fans) and turned the key... and nothing. So I double checked the connections and made sure the new wiring was good and tight, even took the battery out and hooked it up to the charger. Still nothing.
My dad told me that I should turn the headlights on and try to start it and check to see if the lights get dim when I try, and that if they don't dim that means the ignition switch is bad. So I did, and the lights stayed the same. Went and bought a new ignition switch and put it in (also took the old starter I pulled off to Auto Zone to test it, guess what? it worked! I was half tempted to take the new one off and return it, but figured I'm better off with it anyway) and with the new swich and high nopes, I turned the key. Still nothing.
Now my coworker told me that he had a problem similar to this with his Blazer, and when he called Chevy they told him that it was his factory anti-theft device and walked him through turning the key on and off in a specific series to undo it. So I called Chrysler (the number in my owner's manual) and from my VIN they tell me that yes, I do have a factory anti-theft device, but no, they can't tell me how to turn it off and I have to call a dealer. I called the dealer and apparently they're telling me that I have to tow the car there and have them reprogram the computer.
I cannot afford this and really want to fix this myself, just for my own satisfaction as well. I've never had a car problem I couldn't solve. There must be a way to bypass or disarm the antitheft thingy. I don't have an alarm or keyless entry and I don't have a smart key with a chip in it, just a plain old key with a Mopar star in it. I didn't even know I had theft protection, seeing as how my last 99 Neon was stolen (twice!). I would really like some help with this. I'm not too familiar with electrical work so if someone could give me detailed and specific instructions that would be wonderful! Thanks!
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Anti theft issues
Hey guys, I have a bit of a conundrum and was hoping that someone here could help me! I have a 99 Plymouth Expresso Neon and have had it for about 2 years now. Not long after I got it the starter went out, so I replaced it with a remanned one (couldn't afford a new one at the time).
Now, all of a sudden it wouldn't start again, just out of the blue not trying to even turn over. So I assume it's the cheap a** starter conking out. I had the money to buy a nice shiny new one from Summit Racing this time. I put it on (which is a pain in and of itself with the dual fans) and turned the key... and nothing. So I double checked the connections and made sure the new wiring was good and tight, even took the battery out and hooked it up to the charger. Still nothing.
My dad told me that I should turn the headlights on and try to start it and check to see if the lights get dim when I try, and that if they don't dim that means the ignition switch is bad. So I did, and the lights stayed the same. Went and bought a new ignition switch and put it in (also took the old starter I pulled off to Auto Zone to test it, guess what? it worked! I was half tempted to take the new one off and return it, but figured I'm better off with it anyway) and with the new swich and high nopes, I turned the key. Still nothing.
Now my coworker told me that he had a problem similar to this with his Blazer, and when he called Chevy they told him that it was his factory anti-theft device and walked him through turning the key on and off in a specific series to undo it. So I called Chrysler (the number in my owner's manual) and from my VIN they tell me that yes, I do have a factory anti-theft device, but no, they can't tell me how to turn it off and I have to call a dealer. I called the dealer and apparently they're telling me that I have to tow the car there and have them reprogram the computer.
I cannot afford this and really want to fix this myself, just for my own satisfaction as well. I've never had a car problem I couldn't solve. There must be a way to bypass or disarm the antitheft thingy. I don't have an alarm or keyless entry and I don't have a smart key with a chip in it, just a plain old key with a Mopar star in it. I didn't even know I had theft protection, seeing as how my last 99 Neon was stolen (twice!). I would really like some help with this. I'm not too familiar with electrical work so if someone could give me detailed and specific instructions that would be wonderful! Thanks!
Now, all of a sudden it wouldn't start again, just out of the blue not trying to even turn over. So I assume it's the cheap a** starter conking out. I had the money to buy a nice shiny new one from Summit Racing this time. I put it on (which is a pain in and of itself with the dual fans) and turned the key... and nothing. So I double checked the connections and made sure the new wiring was good and tight, even took the battery out and hooked it up to the charger. Still nothing.
My dad told me that I should turn the headlights on and try to start it and check to see if the lights get dim when I try, and that if they don't dim that means the ignition switch is bad. So I did, and the lights stayed the same. Went and bought a new ignition switch and put it in (also took the old starter I pulled off to Auto Zone to test it, guess what? it worked! I was half tempted to take the new one off and return it, but figured I'm better off with it anyway) and with the new swich and high nopes, I turned the key. Still nothing.
Now my coworker told me that he had a problem similar to this with his Blazer, and when he called Chevy they told him that it was his factory anti-theft device and walked him through turning the key on and off in a specific series to undo it. So I called Chrysler (the number in my owner's manual) and from my VIN they tell me that yes, I do have a factory anti-theft device, but no, they can't tell me how to turn it off and I have to call a dealer. I called the dealer and apparently they're telling me that I have to tow the car there and have them reprogram the computer.
I cannot afford this and really want to fix this myself, just for my own satisfaction as well. I've never had a car problem I couldn't solve. There must be a way to bypass or disarm the antitheft thingy. I don't have an alarm or keyless entry and I don't have a smart key with a chip in it, just a plain old key with a Mopar star in it. I didn't even know I had theft protection, seeing as how my last 99 Neon was stolen (twice!). I would really like some help with this. I'm not too familiar with electrical work so if someone could give me detailed and specific instructions that would be wonderful! Thanks!