Folks, my friend has a dilemma. Her 2002 Neon's transmission took a dump a few months ago. However her son needed a vehicle because of his school and such. So, she got her vehicle to a "not so reputable" repair shop(since they tout inexpensive repairs). Anyway to make a long story short. They kept the car for over 3 weeks and in the meantime, placed a 1999 transmission(not sure what type - would appreciate ANY means to id-ing, this transmission. And I think the shop doesn't even care really). onto her 2002 Dodge Neon.

The issue now is, they mechanic said he had to "remove a module" to make it work with the vehicle and hence, she no longer has the gas gauge working(which to me is very odd) and the car also does not have a working speedo anymore - understandable.

The shop is real reluctant to even deal with her and is not seeking to make things work. Leaving them out of the whole loop(the shop) what do any of you recommend so her gas gauge and speedometer will register correctly? I know this sounds pretty off the cuff but I just got this info from her today. She was pretty much in tears and completely lost about it all. (doesn't want to deal with the shop at all).

Is there a work around or means to set up the sensors so it completely bypasses this "module" that is absent? Or guys folks... I know I'm reaching for straws here but thoughts on how to get it working properly?

As for shifting and working, this transmission is doing that properly and the engine is just fine. Help please?

 

Was this a manual transmission? Though, the whole "module" thing makes me think it is an automatic? If it is an automatic, they put the completely wrong transmission in the car. 2002-2005 Neons had a 4-speed electronic transmission. 2001 and older had a 3-speed hydraulic transmission. They had the car for 3 weeks...was the transmission the only thing that was replaced? A picture of the work order/invoice would be very helpful (blank out the prices if wanted), or type it up I suppose. A picture would be easier

 

Thanks for responding darthroush.
Yes, it is an automatic. I'll try to get some pictures from her or go over to their place and take some of the transmission. The information you gave me gives me some indication that the shop did exactly that - mated a pre-2001 auto trans to their 2002. *sigh. I'll try to get some information from them and the shop. Right now, they both don't like each other much - and that place doesn't have the best rep to begin with... I can see why now.

I'll see about getting the invoice also - that should be all telling.

 

If a pre-electronic transmission was put into a 2002 (I believe the TCM was still seperate from the PCM until the NGC computer system was introduced in 2003), the "module" they would have removed was the TCM. Also, they would have had to have changed or reprogrammed the PCM I am thinking, along with changing out some other things. This is why I always get my used parts back. I know they were in fact changed the part or if something, like in this case, were removed/changed and it shouldn't have been for that repair...

 

You shouldn't have to modify the vehicle to put in a transmission. That's what performance shops do, not repair shops. It's a shame they rigged her car up like that and pushed it out of the door.