Found the problem, the wire to the upstream O2 sensor broke half way up and was grounding out on the engine block.

 

that would throw a code everytime.

 

Hi...I've been reading your posts on here and you guys seem to really know what you are talking about. Can you help me? Please?

I have a 2003 Dodge Neon Sxt and I "normally" just love my little car. BUT lately I've felt like pushing it right in the lake. About a month ago, it stalled out on me and wouldn't start at all. I took it to the mechanic and he said my ignition switch was bad. SO he replaced that...and the car still wouldn't start. After 8 days of him "looking" for a problem, I had the car towed to another shop. This fella found a blown fuse up under my hood...#21 ASD/FP fuse...I later found out that means Automatic Shutdown Relay and Fuel Pump. So this mechanic changes the fuses several times and stands there watching them blow out one after the other, trying to figure it out. He calls me 3 days later and said he found a wire that was grounding out on the engine (something that I suggested after reading your posts). The car is now running and I was THRILLED!

I drive the car for about two weeks and it does it again. I changed the fuse and took it back to the same mechanic and asked him to show me where he taped up a wire...thinking that I could make sure that it stayed taped up....he can't....I think he just lied to me. So I leave there and stall out on the way to the third shop. I had the car towed there 4 days ago and the mechanic is very nice, but I'm not feeling very confident in his skills....

He is telling me that he thinks that it is the Fuel Pump, but that he can't guarantee that it is. He said there is not any way to test the Fuel Pump. He says that the Fuel Pump is getting too hot and that is what is making the fuse pop. He also says he can hear some slight noise in the fuel pump under the car. He wants $550.00 to replace the fuel pump. I don't know what to do...this is when it really stinks to be a female. I really wish my dad was here, he would know what to do. So basically my options are.....(1) pay the $$$ and hope that it fixes the car....or (2) let him keep my car until it blows the fuse while he is with it, so he can see it happen, but that could be weeks....or (3) drive my "once-beloved", now "distrusted" cute little car into that darn lake.

I am quickly running out of money and I really need my car back. Can any of you offer any wise words of advice? I would really appreciate it...ALOT!

 

obviously from the previous posts check the heated o2 sensor wires. I'[ve seen that plenty of times on many cars. Otherwise I fixed an older stratus that kept blowing the fuel pump fuse on startup by replacing the starter solenoid. Not sure if the setup is the same, but it's a place to look. also before replacing the pump put an ammeter in line with the pump and let us know what the amp draw is. while the meter is on it try to get it to blow the fuse while watching the meter, if the amperage gets high enough to blow the fuse, the pump is the culprit

 

Thank you, Pharmboy. We had already checked the O2 sensor wires after I read the other posts (and unfortunately that wasn't it). I printed your post and they are going to try that today. I will keep you posted. Thank you for your help. I hope this helps!