I have a 1997 Neon Stock. I just purchased it from a co-worker.
I replaced the starter. It was dead shorted.
Then the garage changed the alternator. said it wasn't putting out any juice.
OK.

When I bought the car it seemed to run great. On the highway I could feel an occassional stumble.
Randomly I would try to start the car and it would start, rev up like normal then come back down and idle real rough. If I touched the fuel it would bog out and die like it was to lean. I could usually try to start it 2 or 3 times then it would start like normal and run well.

On the freeway I can feel the stumble alot more now constanlty.
Now after driving about 20 minutes at 100kms/h(60mph) the car seems to become plugged up. it stumbles like crazy then dies.
If i restart it it will spit and sputter then stall.

I got it rolling down a hill and got up to speed in second gear and it took off.
if I let the engine come down below 3000 rpm it would start to "Plug up" and die.
I pulled back to second and it would run along for 4 or 5 seconds then start to accelerate again. I ran it up to 140km/h then shifted into drive . it took the gear and kept going. if I slowed down at all it would start to become sluggish and die.

I could not slow down without having the engine stall or stumble to death.

At first I felt it was running lean so I thought fuel filter or pump.
Then today when it would run great at high rpm it ruled out no fuel.

When the engine is cool it will start again and run good for anothr 20 minutes.

These are my thoughts

- Plugged catalytic converter
- dirty IAC
- Fuel pump/filter
- coils breaking down ?

Could anyone give me some opinions on this. I am an old school back yard mechanic. I have build and repaired many, many carbed engines and this vehicle is my first attempt at having a fuel injected machine.

I'm a software developer and hardware specialist. I look forward to getting deep and dirty with this new engine stuff.
I'de love to build a kewl street machine out of this little shoe box.

Any help would be muchly appreciated.

Dave

BTW this is a multi point injected enjine, fuel rail on top in front (if that helps anything)

 

Sorry bout the double post the page wouldn't refresh

 

I'd try doing some simple tune-up things, like plugs and wires, air filter, PCV valve, IAC, and depending on miles maybe change the fuel filter for preventative maintenance. How many miles are on the car?