Our "Penny" is a 2005 Neon SXT (8449 miles). She is perfect in everyway except when we got her home after her first oil change.

When my husband drove her into the garage, I immediately detected a "whine" under the hood. At first is sounded like someone had tightened the belt too tight and the pulley was straining. Then, when you turn her off, there is this embarrassing abrupt screech and whine noise. We took her to the dealer and they claimed to have ordered a new power steering pump assembly. When we went to pick her up, we tested the engine for the noise and it was still there if not, louder. I questioned where the "new" part came from as it did not look new. Then I asked to see the old part. They finally confessed that the new part that had arrived was not the right model part (the fluid line connected in a different location than the original assembly) so, they took a part out of a new car on their sales lot. They are now telling us to drive it and see if adding miles might break it in and make the noise go away. In the meantime, they say they need to wait and see if anyone else submits this problem to their dealer. [sm=badidea.gif]

I am convinced that if anyone is going to try a part from another car, there needs to be consideration of where the original vehicle was assembled and consider that the plant may have a line of parts that are not good. What do you think?

Please help. I am embarrassed to drive her because she sounds like we don't take care of her or can't tell that she has a mechanical problem.

Joe and "Mel"

 

The power steering pumps on all the Neons were the same (or updated from the same basic part) and are completely interchangeable.

It certainly doesn't make sense to me that driving the new car with a new fuel pump would "break it in", otherwise all new Neons would make that noise... and who would want that?

And it seems a little odd to me that the dealership would lie like that to you... I can provide the Daimler-Chrysler Customer Service number for you if you like. Very effective to use from your cell phone while in the service department...

Did you check the fluid yourself? When mine was making noise, it was because of a small crack somewhere in the system that was allowing air in, so the fluid was aerating - not good for doing its job.

Don't forget to look up the lemon laws for your area. Usually, taking it in 3 times for the same problem entitles you to a full refund on the car. The dealership needs to fix it right, preferably the first time, with the right parts...

Best of luck!

 

who would know better than the guys who made the car AND have all the service manuals to do it right even if they forget. I would try taking it back and tell them that their brilliant idea didn't work and that they need to fix it. If they start giving you another run around, call up the Customer Service number right there in the service department and that might be able to get you some action in the right direction.

 

had a car that was leaking in the return line but if no leak a part from another car would not necessarily be a bad idea. Dealerships do that with some regularity at times to solve a parts issue. But on occasion you do get a bad run of parts but until such time as when they ID this issue it must be handled as an isolaed incident. Otherwise why would you trust the part that was not delivered to the line but that box went to the warehouse instead???? Could be the same batch too??? What is the difference. If you now have a second pump and still have a problem then make you concerns known. They have admitted there is a problem by repairing it in the first place so keep them at it. Make sure your fluid is topped off ATF+4 and try bleeding the system (Most cars is just turn the wheel back and forth numerous times and recheck fluid level). See if knoise goes away.