Hi all, I'll get right into it, hopefully someone has already had this same problem and knows the root cause.

Vehicle: 2003 Dodge Neon 4 cylinder

Odometer:145,000

Problems: The car will turn over about 10 times and then start. Recently this has been acompanied with a belt sqealing. Check engine light is ever present. An electrical issue with cruise control not working at all randomly.

History:
The vehicle is in working condition and is used everyday for city driving. A check engine light comes on. This has been checked at AutoZone more than once and says that there is bad gas tank pressure, the gas cap has been replaced but the light remains.
Also, the transmition or the acceleration will stutter 5 or 6 times sometimes usually when first started. The acceleration is affected by being jerky and unresponsive and then seems to vanish.
Also, the trunk and the back seat drivers-side floor board fills with water during a heavy rain. I cannot find the source of the leak.

Service History: Regular oil changes. Small transmission leak according to Jiffy Lube that was clogged. New tires. New battery. New air filter. New rear center brake light.

Here is the weird thing: Sometimes the car starts right up on the first turn and seems to not have the same symptoms. Also, when it does start right up, the everpresent check engine light doesn't come on right away and the cruise control works. When the car turns over 10 times before ignition, the cruise control does not work and the stuttering engine problem is present.

I called dodge service and they said $78 for diagnostic and $700 for timing belt and water pump install and parts. This is just a guess on there part from the symptoms. The Timing belt as never been replaced.

Does anyone have any idea what could be the problem? I usally fix things myself, but as you know, sometimes the hardest part of a problem is finding its root cause. I'm afraid me or my wife will get stranded in this vehicle if it is not fixed soon. My main concern is for the vehicle to start up right away every time and not squeal. It might be some random small thing that I could do myself or maybe its a Mechanic thing, but seeing as how my wife owns the vehicle and I wasn't around the first few years of her owning it, knowing her, hardly any preventitive service or maintenance was done if that helps.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge to help a fellow Neon stay away from the junk yard

 

i'm not sure about the timing belt but it's sounding like either your tensioner is gone or alternator/ alternator bearings are starting to take a dump.

 

Check your fuel pressure.