Hi,
2000 Neon, was running ok, engine light came on three weeks ago, the ODB tool I have says error when I try to use it (works ok on wife's 2002 VW). Get in to go to work, starts, I get half a block away and it dies, won't crank. Later I fiddle with fuses, none are bad, but it starts and runs. Drive home, park it. Next day it will not crank and that's where I am now.
Battery is ok, 9 months old, jump start does not work either.
Ignition seems to be working as it should, panel lights come on when ignition is turned on, when turned to start, radio goes off, can hear a faint click but no crank.
Double check fuses with meter, all ok
Check relay, works ok
Check relay socket one point has 12v (25 I think)
One point gets 12v (24 ?) when ignition switched to start.
Starter will crank engine when relay points are jumped.
Running starter will not start engine with ignition on and clutch pedal depressed.

That's where I am at this point. Any and all input very welcome. Thanks in advance!!

 

Ignition seems to be working as it should, panel lights come on when ignition is turned on, when turned to start, radio goes off, can hear a faint click but no crank.



sounds like you have a bad connection. clean the battery terminals and the terminal on the starter, and make sure they're tight connections afterward.

 

Thanks!
Cleaned terminals. Engine will crank when relay is jumped out. Will not run tho...

 

what i recently went through was my vehicle speed sensor was keeping my engine from starting. just for kicks, try disconnecting your VSS, and see if it starts. if its beginning to short (i read your problem as being intermittent, correct me if i mis-read), that could explain the nature of these symptoms.

 

It just does not crank at the moment. I know that starter and battery are good from getting it to crank by jumping the relay terminals. The only thing I have yet to check is the clutch switch. It has three wires; what would I do to bypass and test this?

Edit: Clutch interlock/upstop checks out ok.

Lost at this point. Is it the PCM?

Anybody??? Please!!!

 

let me make sure i understand what you're trying to figure out...

it will run if it cranks, but you're having trouble getting it to crank by key only?

 

Thanks for the reply.
It does not crank, the starter and battery are ok because I can jumper the starter relay and it cranks. Even if I crank it by jumping the relay with the ignition on and the clutch in it will not start.
The clutch interlock/upstart switch is good. The relays for start and ASD are good. There is power to the right places in the PDC IE #25 and when I turn the key to start #24
That is as far as I have gotten and am curious as to needing a new PCM, but at $210.00 that's a pricey guess if i am wrong.

 

check the attached pic for reference (you may already have access to this info, just covering bases)

next thing i would do is dismantle the PDC, and start checking the wires of the start relay pinout (per attached pic) for continuity to verify there are no breaks. beyond that, i would double check the wiring related to the starting circuit (ignition switch, start relay, starter solenoid, etc) if all else fails, yeah i guess it may be time for a PCM. i got mine off ebay, provided my vin and they programmed it, including shipping was like $160. works like a champ.

 

Thanks again for you replies!
Ordered a new PCM, should be here soon. I'll let y'all know.

 

PCM replaced, good to go.