Anyway - My 01 has developed a hesitation, it is most noticeable in 2nd gear at 3/4 to 7/8 throttle at around 35 - 45 MPH (I have no tach, can't give an RPM range). The problem goes away if I go to full throttle.

My questions:
1. I recently put some Bosch Platinum plugs in the car - I don't remember if the hesitation started around that time. I've heard a few bad things about the Platinum’s in Neons. Can someone please confirm they have had probs. with Bosch Platinum’s and describe the problem?

2. I've noticed by watching my code scanner (has some minor diagnostic capability) that the control system goes from CLSD (closed) to OPEN system control when I transition from 7/8 to FULL throttle. The question is since the hesitation goes away when I transition from 7/8 to Full throttle, i.e. CLOSED to OPEN loop control what sensors or devices are cut out of the fuel and ignition system control loop during this transition. Finding this out may point to a failed or partially faulty component.

3. The only mod I have is a K&N, has anyone had problems with the K&N passing too much dirt. The inside of my throttle bore has a fine black film on it. I'm wondering if any intake sensors are being affected.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post!

Good forum.
P.S. The car has 86K on it and has been a daily driver, I take good care of the oil and air filter, I'm mechanically inclined.
Eric

 

I had those plugs on there once and I also had a little hesitation. I chenged the plugs right away and it seemed to fix it.If you want to get new ones then keep the ones you have now just in case that doesn't fix it. If it doesn't then you have extra plugs for when you change them again. Other than that I don't know what else it could be.

 

I just posted about this problem a few days ago, I also had bosch platinum plugs in mine also and a replaced them with normal ones yesterday, and it went away, there is still a slight hesitation ther, but nothing seriuos, maybe just to be safe replace the wires also, they run about 32 dollars.

 

Frei0181,

Which wires did you buy? NAPA, MOPAR, AUTOLITE?

I put a cheap set of wires on mine and replaced the old plugs with the Bosch Platinum plugs about 60 K miles (car has 86 K now), Darn mice and friggin rabbits chewed the stock wires to pieces, so I had to replace the stockers - a whole different story. I bought NGK plugs today and plan to install them tonight. I'll do the plugs first, report findings here, then if necessary i'll do the wires. I pant to buy the MOPAR units, they fit better than what I have now.

Thanks for the info,

Eric

 

ok changed out the Bosch Platinum plugs for NGK's, not much difference, however the platinums looked a bit sorry. They have such a small center electrode and it does not protrude past the porcelin insualtor. Anyway the center electrode looked like it was erroding back a ways in the porcelin.

Not much difference in perfromance, it still has a bobble as described above. I checked the plug wire resistance readings, all are within or a bit below spec. for resistance. I'm still up in the air about this problem unless some on has had an fixed this same issue.

Eric

 

01NEONSE,

I REPLACED THE PLUGS WITH AUTOLITE ONES, THE HESITATION WENT AWAY MOSTLY SO IT COMES DOWN TO THE WIRES IN MY BOOK, JUST NEED TO REPLACE, BUT HAVENT GOTTEN AROUND TO IT YET, BUT I'LL PRBABLY BE DOING THAT TOMMORROW, WORK???? IT SUCKS, NO TIME. BUT THERE IS STILL A SLIGHT LAG, BUT NOT REALLY BAD TO NOTICE ALL THE TIME, ALL I'LL SAY IS I FEEL THE POWER BACK IN THE CAR, A BIG DIFFERENCE. YEAH THOSE PLATINUMS LOOKED HORRIBLE WHEN I TOOK MINE OUT, IT DIDN'T EVEN LOOK LIKE A PLUGS, JUST A WHITE TIP WITH SPACE AGED HOOKS ON IT, I COULDN'T SEE HOW ANY SPARK COULD GET DOWN IN THERE AT ALL. THE BOX SAID "TWICE THE SPARK" WHATEVER MORE LIKE 1/4 THE SPARK. ALSO WHAT YOU COULD DO IS JUST SEE IF ALL YOUR PLUG WIRES ARE WORKING PROPEBLY, MAKING SURE THERE ALL NO FAULTY ONES THAT IS, MINE SEEM TO WORK FINE, BUT BETTER SAFE THEN SORRY, THERE 4 YEARS OLD, MIGHT AS WELL REPLACE THEM.


MIKE