Driving down highway, probably about 55 mph, then my check engine light comes on. Suddenly the car starts shaking/sputtering so I let off the gas. Slows down and drives with no problems below 2000rpm. Hit the gas again and it's fine, then 2krpm and it does the same thing. Luckily I'm close to home and get off the exit and pull it in.

Can't see any leaks, pop the hood all looks ok. Again, car runs fine until it hits 2000 rpm, then start stuttering shaking and won't go above 2000rpm.

Any idea what's causing this before I take it to the shop? Been told it might be on board computer in "safe mode" inhibiting RPM to prevent further damage at higher rpm.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I think i'm jinxed, I literally JUST paid this neon off the day before, and I JUST started a new job that requires I use my car ALOT.

 

New plugs wire's and maybe a new coil. and you should be gravy.
8$ $22 $60-70

The only other thing OTher could be is the injectors 53$ each new and 17-25 refurbished.

How many miles do you have.

 

Is there a check engine light on? If so, get the codes from it. That will help pinpoint the problem, generally.

Edit: To pull the codes yourself from the instrument cluster:

 

The following codes will cause 2k Limp mode...

P0301-CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE
P0302-CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE
P0303-CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE
P0304-CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE
P0335-CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT
P0339-CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR INTERMITTENT
P0340-CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT - BANK 1 SENSOR 1
P0344-CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR INTERMITTENT - BANK 1 SENSOR 1

You CAN, in an emergency, pull the DASH fuse, AFTER the car is started, and drive to safety... but its not recommended... When the tach is out of circuit, it will go above 2k.

 

I did the key turn trick, got the code P0340. Changing plugs and wires today. Hope that fixes.

 

That code is for the camshaft position sensor:

A code P0340 could mean one or more of the following has happened:

• a wire or connector in the circuit could be grounded/shorted/broken
• the camshaft position sensor may have failed
• the PCM may have failed
• there exists an open circuit
• the crankshaft position sensor may have failed

 

Another thing that will cause this failure, is camshaft seal failure, or thin oil.

Camshaft seal failure, will cause oil pressure to push oil in between the CPS, and the camshaft. Thin oil will allow this also.

If the Camshaft seal goes completely out, you will have intermittent P0340 codes, and oil pressure warning light.

Also, this code can be caused by misplacement of the battery temp sensor. By not allowing the ECU to sense the temperature of the battery, noise can be introduced to the electrical system, and the weakest signal is the CPS, so you will show CPS errors.

 

It will also cause the battery to not be charged correctly either.

 

I did have the same code and this is how I fix it locate the sensor( driver side of engine)
remove 4 8 mm screws clean the sensor from oil, moist the o ring with oil put back
and it did work for me no engine lights no shaking/sputtering .
if that will not work for ya change the sensor only around $30.