Hi everybody, I have a 1998 Plymouth Neon Expresso and it's been running relatively good for the last 3 years that I've owned it *80 000 miles). But for the past 10 months the CEL has been on and I think it has to do with the evaporation system. The guy at the garage 10 months ago told me that I didn't put the gas cap on tightly enough, but the day I drove away from the garage the CEL came back on.

The main symptom I have that makes me think that this is not related to the gas cap, is that every time I turn on the defrost system it affects my engines performance. I think I hear what is a leak somewhere behind the dash and the engine runs differently when the defrost is on - is this possible?

I am going to the mechanic tomorrow, but I'd love advice on what you think it is so I can have some ideas for him when I go.

Thanks!

 

When you turn on the defrost it uses the A/C to help with any moisture in the car, so the A/C is what is bogging down the car some and thats normal.

What code do you have?

 

Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to check the code before I posted, so sorry i don't have that information. But I do know the A/C needs to be recharged, I just never got around to doing that. Not sure if that's related or not.

 

I checked the codes and I got 2 of them:
12 - Direct Battery input to PCM was disconnected within the last 50 key-on cycles
&
31 - Evaporator purge flow monitor failure or evaporator solenoid circuit problem

- Adam

 

The code 31 won't affect the performance. You can replace the solenoid for a couple of bucks from the dealer and also inspect your connections.