Thanks in advance to anyone who can lend some insight on a new recurring problem with my 2004 Dodge SX 2.0 (purchased in Canada) with 133,000 KM (approximately 83,000 miles). The car is used primarily for city driving of short distances.

About two weeks ago I had my car out for my first trip of the day, with no problems starting it nor en route to my destination. After parking the car for an hour I returned to drive it again and started it with no problem. However, within a minute I could feel the car "chugging" and pulled over thinking the car would stall. The only dashboard light that came on was the orange engine light, which stayed solid versus flashing. I drove the car home, still chugging the entire 10 minutes and unable to drive more than 30 KM or 20 miles per hour. Since then, the engine light has periodically reappeared - not surprisingly when the `chugging` returns.

In addition to this, my car is now not starting right away after... the only exception being the first start of the day, when the car has been sitting overnight for about 12 hours. When I turn the key over, the right engine oil stays on (solid, not flashing) as well as the orange engine light (also solid, not flashing). I am not pumping the gas pedal before or when I try to start the car. On average, it takes about 5 - 8 attempts before the car starts, and when the engine DOES turn over, the red engine oil immediately disappears and doesn`t return while I am driving.

I had all of the fluids checked a few months ago and topped up for winter, including the engine oil... which I re-checked a couple of days ago to confirm it is at the appropriate level.

I am not sure of the significance of weather, but the day this problem first happened it was one of the coldest days on record in my part of Canada (something like minus 30 with the windchill), and since then, we have been having definite `winter` temperatures. However, with that having been said, the temperature at the time of the most recently failure to start (today) was much warmer, bordering on a balmy zero with no wind.

I am obviously not a `car` person, and with low funds in the bank the prospect of either major repairs or possibly needing to replace an aging car is daunting.

Any advice would be very much appreciated, with thanks in advance for your help!

 

With the information given, my first guess is you need a tune up. Have you done this yet since owning the neon? And when was the last tune up?

My neon had over 400,000 miles on the previous engine. Keep an eye on your fluids, make sure you change timing belts and water pump every 60k, and you neon will last a long time.

Sounds as though you need new spark plugs and wires. Check your local parts stores, for these. Now this part is VERY important. Only use copper plugs in your neon. There should be a part number for the correct plugs on the underside of the hood of your neon. If not message me later and I will get it for you.

 

Also do the Chrysler jingle to pull codes for the check engine light.

Directions:
You need to turn the key to the run position but not to the "start/crank" position, you have to do this three times and on the third time, stop! Do not turn the key back, leave it on the "run" position. Now look to your odometer, it should display a "pXXXX" code then say DONE and then reset to mileage.

Second thing that comes to mind is that you're not running 5w-30 and the oil has become thick causing low oil pressure.

After this, check for vacuum leaks.

 

Many thanks for your replies! I am having problems getting the engine codes and will follow up accordingly when I have resolved that matter!