hey guys, my wife and I are looking at buying a used 95 dodge neon. Its going to be a car for my wife for work since she will be doing alot of travling we figured this would be great since the gas mileage. It has 97,000 miles on it and is in pretty good shape. I have a few questions tho before we buy this. I read up on how to check the codes and i got error code 37. However the owner told me he had the car in the shop a few months ago and got work done on it. He also said that sometimes the check engine light comes on but thats because the oxygen sensors need to be replaced. Could this code 37 still be in there from the previous error or is it cleared once its fixed? I didnt get the error code for the oxygen sensors so i dont belive that is the problem. Also the A/C isnt cold is it just as simple as buying the freon and putting it in? If so whats involved in doing that? The only other thing that needs to be replaced are the two front tires which is no big deal. Also the current owner said he runs 5W30 oil in it. Is that the correct oil to run? Thanks for any help in advance!! Oh i almost forgot they are asking $950 is this a good deal considering what needs to be done to it?

 

Welcome to the forums. Lots of great knowledge to go around here.

To your questions. Code 37 - Torque converter clutch solenoid circuit or park/neutral switch failure

The a/c could be couple things. If it isn't cold, the clutch might not be kicking in, the freon could simply of leaked out.

5w30 is fine oil for it. You can adjust it to temperature if you want but, 5w30 works good all year for me. Summer it gets to 40+ and winter 50 below. Always runs fine.

For 950, if it runs good, why not man.
Sean

 

is there anywhere with a detailed description on how to fix error 37. Like a step by step process?

 

make sure the headgasket has been replaced on it with the MLS gasket.

 

if the owner doesnt know how would i check and see? also to fix this code 37 is this something i could do or need the dealership to do?

 

there should be a tab somewhere where the head meets with the block. might want to check between the intake tubes.

 

since the car has 97,000 miles on it now would be a good time to have a new timing belt as well as water pump put in along with the MLS headgasket on the car this will save you a lot of headache later

 

for a/c repair see this post: www.dodgeforum.com/m_495930/tm.htm
i just fixed my leak. got a $7 kit from the parts store to replace the seals (o-rings) on the compressor and condessor core. then i used a "sealer" kit after putting one can of 134 in the system. two cans total. i'm running about 35psi on the low side and get COLD air.

timming belt has a 100k mile life and WILL jack up the eng if it breaks 99.9% of the time. waterpumps are know to go out about the same time and very easy to get to when changing the t-belt. if the head gasket hasn't been changed yet it's prob ok (i would think anyway). but then not too muck more work if you do it at the same time as the t-belt. good luck.

p.s. if you can try to find a 97-99. the 95 and 96 have a lot of year only parts while most things between 97-99 are swapable.

 

Here you go...
http://www.myneonspeed.com/howto/howto_1stgen_mls.htm

Do the water pump, tensioner pulley, and timing belt around 100,000 miles!