I was driving my 2000 Dodge Neon down the freeway the other day when it suddenly died. The car acted as if the key had been turned to off.
Anyways, I thought maybe I had ran out of oil and the engine seized so I put some more oil in (I was running low). But the car still wouldn't start. It will crank but not turn over.
Fortunately, I work for a car dealership so I had the car towed there.
Unfortunately, I work at a Subaru car dealership so they don't know much about Dodge.
I had them check out the engine, the timing belt is good, the fuel injector is good. My battery cables were a bit corroded, so they replaced them. Car still won't start. They replaced the ignition coil, still won't start. Then they replaced the computer, still won't start.
They say the engine won't produce a spark, and they have no idea how to fix it. I would take it to a Dodge dealership, but I thought I would turn to the internet before spending tons of money.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I am without a car and cannot get around to do anything. It's terrible!
Thanks!

 

Is it getting fuel and no spark or no fuel and no spark? Check the wiring on the crank position sensor or replace it. Was it throwing any codes before it died?

 

I was going to suggest Crank or Cam sensor but Buddha beat me to it..

I'm not 100% but I also think the ASD relay may play a role in fuel/spark.

 

So, great news. You were both right!
I got to work this morning & my car started.
The check engine light was on and it was determined I need a new cam sensor.
Not too surprisingly as my ex boyfriend tried messing with it before & most likely screwed it up. I'm waiting for the part to come in and I hope that's the end of my problems.
Thanks guys!

 

wouldn't hurt to get the crank & oil press. sensor too and keep it on hand since it's a 2000 model.... Save ya some down time an forum searchin

 

Well, I managed to run into some more problems.
My car made it home from work last night fine, however the check engine light came on. I called my mechanic and he assured me the car would be fine and to bring it in the next day.
I made it home fine, and a couple hours later I was driving to the store and the car started doing the same thing: no power when hitting the accelerator and the car suddenly died.
The car will start and idle unlike before, but when I try to accelerate, the car goes nowhere and it misfires. I had to get it towed back home.
The check engine light went off and the car will start and idle fine. But the RPM will begin to sink a bit if I keep it running too long and it will have to jump up to keep the car on.
Does anyone have any suggestions what the problem could be now?
Thanks!

 

Do the key dance and post what code pops up.

 

I'm working on getting the code and I'll post it. Here's an update:
My mechanic put in a new O2 sensor. It is a federal emissions one and my car requires a California emissions. The car is running fine and I have been driving it but the check engine light is on. I haven't had any problems yet. The correct O2 sensor came in from the Dodge dealership and was installed. It was not working well, my car would start for a few seconds then die.
So I had my mechanic put back in the old sensor so I could drive the car.
Could there be a different problem or perhaps I got a faulty sensor?
This car is costing me money!

 

I've had bosch 02's not work at all in my 03 Ram Hemi, went with some cheap chinese ones from Rock Auto and not had a problem

 

i too have a 2000 neon. what I've gone through is the wiring to the connectors. specifically, the crankshaft sensor pigtail, vehicle speed sensor pigtail, and the downstream O2 sensor pigtail. what happens is the extra heat near the exhaust right there with those sensors/wires will cook them more than any other wiring in the engine bay, and the wires will short intermittently, alluding to mysterious and seemingly random dying fits. willing to bet that's your problem.