Midrange bucking/hesitating?

Cokedoctor · Post by **Cokedoctor** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:57 pm

I'm looking to buy this 2002 Dodge Neon ES 5 speed from my work, but it seems to be hesitating/bucking some under acceleration. it's not throwing the Check Engine Light. Wondering what you guys may think it is. I don't wanna sink much $ into the car. If I can buy this car and fix it, I'll make it to Carlisle 2009, since my NYG ACR is far from being ready.

Some of you guys in other threads mentioned the Crank Positioning Sensor? Or could it be a TPS? Or could it be something else? suggestions welcome!!

Justin

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:19 pm

May just need a complete tune up. Depending on the cause the poor running may not set a CEL. If you can do the key dance and see if it has any codes stored. Some codes will not turn on the CEL either.

A CPS prolly would set off the CEL.

The valves may be badly carboned up also. There is no way for the PCM to detect that.

With only a few weeks left to work with, it is a crap shoot. Could be simple, or not.

If it is cheap enough buy it, do a can or two of Mopar Combustion Cleaner, a tune up and see what happens.

Cokedoctor · Post by **Cokedoctor** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:22 pm

The sales manager wants $2900, its going to need a clutch in the future too. I think I can make out with this though. The hesitating/bucking can't be anything to serious.....I mean, it can only be so many things. Good thing we have junkyards full of Neons, I can go snag whatever sensors I may need.

OB · Post by OB » Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:20 am

$2900? You could easily find a base Neon with NO problems for that price. I see pristine 2gn R/T's for $3000-4000 all day long.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:41 am

Check the spark plugs and plug wires.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:38 am

OB wrote:$2900? You could easily find a base Neon with NO problems for that price. I see pristine 2gn R/T's for $3000-4000 all day long.

Depends on location. We're getting raped on the East coast. F'ing 1gn's are running $3000 for nice ones.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:55 am

occasional demons wrote:
OB wrote:$2900? You could easily find a base Neon with NO problems for that price. I see pristine 2gn R/T's for $3000-4000 all day long.
Depends on location. We're getting raped on the East coast. F'ing 1gn's are running $3000 for nice ones.

Yup.

I wish I could find 2GNs for that price around here.

SXT with a salvage title just sold for $4500 last week, and it was only on the lot for two days!

Cokedoctor · Post by **Cokedoctor** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:55 pm

Ugh, well my dad has talked me out of buying the car. GRRRRRRR......

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:31 pm

So no carlisle for you?

Cokedoctor · Post by **Cokedoctor** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:11 pm

IDK.....probably not. I don't have a hotel room, and I don't have a Neon to show....I think I should just save my $ right now.... :-\

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:26 pm

Bummer. You will be missed, this does give us a chance for highest N/A dyno though

Cokedoctor · Post by **Cokedoctor** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:28 pm

Ugh.......yeah, i suppose. I kinda stole that one last year didn't I? Sounds like you SOHC guys need another camshaft

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:05 am

I was a DOHC guy for a bit it was some great fun