Just bought a used Sunburst Yellow 2002 SXT with just under 75,000miles on it. Seems to be in good condition (engine bay was clean, fluids were good, tires 90% tread left) and drove very well. It's replacing a 98 Saturn SL2 that was totalled and it's definielty an upgrade. (years, miles, appearance, sportyness, and fun factor). Plus with that BRIGHT YELLOW color, there is no way that I can hear "I didn't see you coming" again. This dodge forum seems to be a great resource and I will start reading a lot more of the back posts, but in the meantime I had a few (basic) questions. Since it's used there are a few things needing attention and some stuff I would like to know as I maintain it.....

Car is from out of state and theyonly had 1 key (no remote) -- is it easy to get a remote and program it? (any ideas what's invovled for getting a 2nd key - although that may be unnecessary)

no manual -- anyone know if there are 2002 manuals available in electronic version (dodge.com only had back to 2004) I've seen a few on ebay, but was hoping to get an electronic version somewhere before spening more $$.

CD/player radio - any way to easily tell if it's a 1 cd unit vs 6 cd unit -- without getting 2 cd's stuck in there?

abs -- anything I can look at on to figure out if this one had ABS as an option

DIY maintence manual suggestion -- preference on haynes, chilton, or something else???


Also --ISthere something I 'should' be looking out for --- i.e. a common problem/issue for a 5 year old SXT


Thanks to all.
Mat

 

1.) Gratz on the new vehicle.
2.) The key is easily replaced but it will cost you maybe your right arm. Head over to a dealership and ask them to make you a new one.
3.) Im pretty sure its a 6. It came pretty standard on SXT's 2000+
4.) ABS has been standard on cars for a while. I don't know how to officially check if it has ABS... I just assume it does.
5.) DIY maintnence catalogs... That is up to you. There really isn't anything different between them. I have a Haynes.

Common problems.... Well I dont hear too many problems here. These cars are pretty good if you are good to them and won't throw too many fits. Oh, on cold mornings you might here some "knocking" from the engine, that is just the injectors firing. Don't worry about that, it will go away after everything heats up.

I hope you like your new car!!!

 

1) also congtats on the car

2)key and clicker thing can be cheap or expensve depending on the dealer you get it from. i had one quote 120 for a key and i went to another and got it for 40

3) its a 1 cd changer most likely. the 6 cd changer has a separate place for the 6 cds on the bottom of the instrument cluster. if you didnt c it you prob dont have it (cant miss it)

4)if a light comes on on yout gauge cluster that says abs you have it. if not you dont i have an 04 and i dont have it

5) i have a service manual in a pdf if you want let me know and ill email it to you

hope you have fun with the car

p.s. were your manual lol just ask a question and well answer (4.5 quarts of oil per oil change )

 

Congratulations on the Neon, you'll love it as long as you take care of it! If you have any questions about anything related to your Neon, this is the place to go since theres more than a few people around that know a thing or two about Neons...The keys have been covered, they are about $100 from a dealer, and to get a remote keyless entry that will be more because they would have to install the reciever as well as program a new remote.

You have a single dish CD player...00-02 Neons had an optional 4-disc CD player, and 03-05 had an optional 6-disc CD player, but both are seperate from the main head unit located underneatth the radio in the little alcove below the center dash...the only Neons that have a "in-dash" 6-disc are SRT-4's with the Kicker "Livin Loud" Sound System.

As far as the ABS, the ONLY Neons that recieved ABS are the ones equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes, so that would be all R/T's and ACR's and only a limited number of SXT's with the "Track and Sport" Package (or something like that)...so much more than likely you DO NOT have ABS.

 

Thanks for the info...if I recall the front of the radio hadsome buttons that suggested multiple discs, but I didn't see anything obvious underneath.guess Iwill take a closer look at the car in the garage tonight for more clues.

I don't want to have to bug everyone with a lot of the little questions-- soI will try to limit my questions by doing some searches on the forums tonight.
mat

 

Yes, all the CD player/radios had these markings on the buttons, even if it was a single CD player... so Chrysler could save money... I think u can add on the changer to any of these radios, if you could buy or find the changer and the wiring harness...usually pricey, even on e-bay.... probably cheaper to get a whole after market system

 

its actually solar yellow

 

Aha -- now I can match the paint code.

 

yup yup mine is the same thing look at my pic gallery and id like to see pics of ur car

 

Yes mine is that same BRIGHT yellow as yours qnr69... sorry no pics yet.

Since I'm approaching 75,000 miles and don't know what the previous owner did for maintence I was looking for something as a guide. I found an online version of the 2004 manual.

From the 2004 manual that is online Schedule B.
Oil Change every 3K miles
Check tires & brakes every oil change
Air Filer every time dirty when changing oil
PVC Valve every30K miles
Spark plugs every30K miles
drive belts every60K miles
ignition cables every60K miles
AT so Tranny flush / filter change every60K miles
Radiator Flush & Fill every100K miles
Engine Timing belt every 100K miles



Here's the 1st 3 things I've done...
Oil change -- done
Rotate Tires -- done (are at 90% tread left)
Check brake pads -- done (are 80% pad left)

It looks like it would be a good idea to do the following..
PCV valve, Spark Plugs (any recommendation?) , Ignition Cables (they mean the spark plug wires right?), transmission flush/filter/fluid,and an Air Filter.


Anything else that you would recommend?


Also - what is a make-up air cleanerlocated inside the air cleaner?


And how can I tell if the vehicle will be E85 capable -- I doubt the 2002 would be, but it looked like an option in the 2004 manual.

Thanks
Mat