Gas in cyl. 1,2 and 3 and gauges going crazy

SXT87 · Post by **SXT87** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:28 pm

Hi. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what was going on with my 2002 neon sxt.

Yesterday I noticed the engine making a weird noise. It almost sounds like a low wooshing sound, kind of like a turbo. I felt the spark plugs in cylinders 1, 2, and 3 and they were bouncing, still attached, but you could feel them bouncing around in the cylinder walls. I took them all out, and the inside of the cylinder walls smelled like gas, as well as the plugs. The plugs also looked sort of burned. My number 4 cylinder spark plug is fine, and the inside of the cylinder wall didn't smell of gas. The car also has a loss in horsepower, especially while driving up hills. By the way, the car is still running in this condition, it's not completely dogging either, but I still noticed the loss of power. I also noticed when I come to a stop, lately the idle has been at around 500 RPM, but if I give it a little gas, the RPMs go up to about 800-900 while I'm still sitting there.

I also believe I have a lifter problem, because when the engine is revved up a little, and as the RPMs come back down, there is a distinct rattling, crackling noise. It's louder than the usual neon ticking by far.

One other thing I've been wondering about is sometimes, and not very often, all of my gauge needles, will go crazy. For example, while it's parked, the speedo will go from 20mph to 120mph, to 70mph, to 50mph, to 90mph-- I'm sure you get the idea. This is all the gauges, with the needles jumping around. Then numbers and letters come up where the mileage is supposed to be, for example, PCH786GR, (that's not the actual combo that I see, but just an idea) and then all it says is "done". It's really weird and no one so far has been able to tell me what that is either.

One other thing, the engine light and battery light will come on and off spontaniously. Sometimes it will just be the battery light, other times it will be the engine light, sometimes both, and sometimes neither will be on. This happens pretty frequently, and I'm not sure if it's the alternator because I just replaced that about a month ago with a new one.

Does anyone have a clue what any of this could be? Thank you so much.

-Kristen

yellowpatrol · Post by **yellowpatrol** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:20 pm

SXT87 wrote:Then numbers and letters come up where the mileage is supposed to be, for example, PCH786GR, (that's not the actual combo that I see, but just an idea) and then all it says is "done". It's really weird and no one so far has been able to tell me what that is either.

This part sounds like it's showing you the CEL (check engine light) code. Also since you said you are seeing the CEL come on that's probably what's going on. Sit in the car with it not running, and turn the key from off to on four times. It should show you the current codes and end by saying d0ne.

If you can get those codes written down, and come back and post them up here that would help.

I would guess the codes are for cylinders 1 through 3 misfires, but post them so we can be sure.

esteinmaier · Post by **esteinmaier** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:13 pm

Wait. Let me make sure I understand. 3 out of your 4 spark plugs were just kinda hanging out in the spark plug tubes, not tight. And you have a check engine light because of it. And it's making funny sounds.

Why don't you just tighten the spark plugs? I would imagine that will stop the misfire, the check engine light, and the funny noises.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:15 pm

The cluster going wack could also be a bad ground, which would give you erractic running problems too. Check all the grounds, connectors for looseness/corrosion. Like esteinmaier said, definately snug the plugs down or put new ones in. Loose plugs in an aluminum head is never a good thing. You're lucky they didn't come flying out and dent your hood.

SXT87 · Post by **SXT87** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:07 pm

Ok, so I tried the on to off thing four times, but nothing happened. I'll have to try it again, but it wasn't working for me. If I do get it to work, I'll definately post it.

I did get four new spark plugs, wires, and tightened them myself, and now there doesn't seem to be any misfiring. I'll have to check the grounds as well. Thanks a lot for the advice!!

esteinmaier · Post by **esteinmaier** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:30 pm

on-off-on-off-on

on being the "run" position, and off being one click back.

OB · Post by OB » Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:37 pm

occasional demons wrote:The cluster going wack could also be a bad ground, which would give you erractic running problems too. Check all the grounds, connectors for looseness/corrosion. Like esteinmaier said, definately snug the plugs down or put new ones in. Loose plugs in an aluminum head is never a good thing. You're lucky they didn't come flying out and dent your hood.

Exactly my thoughts. Either a ground situation or a PCM problem. The OBDII codes shouldn't cycle on their own. Also, it's normal for the cylinders to smell like gas, that's kind of the idea

arlenok · Post by **arlenok** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:17 pm

1. Change your spark plug tube seals.
2. Reseat spark plug tubes.
3. Do you have a short ram air intake? The one I used to have rubbed on the wire harness, shorting a bunch of stuff. I just put a thick layer of electrical tape on each wire. That stopped the engine and battery lights from randomly comin on.
4. The gauge thing is pretty common. It's just the gauges resetting, and doesn't mean anything.

Sabersoul · Post by **Sabersoul** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:39 pm

arlenok wrote:1. Change your spark plug tube seals.
2. Reseat spark plug tubes.
3. Do you have a short ram air intake? The one I used to have rubbed on the wire harness, shorting a bunch of stuff. I just put a thick layer of electrical tape on each wire. That stopped the engine and battery lights from randomly comin on.
4. The gauge thing is pretty common. It's just the gauges resetting, and doesn't mean anything.

I second that. I should have replaced my tube seals a long time ago, but Wal-Mart kind of forced my hand by breaking the threads on the valve cover for the oil cap and the new one from the dealer came with new bolts, seals and gasket. As far as the gauges go, mine did that after I replaced the battery and battery cables after a break in and was dead for a week (coupled with a blown fuse under the hood) until I replaced that fuse, it did it every time. Can't remember which fuse it was since that was a year ago, though.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:49 am

Sabersoul wrote:
arlenok wrote:1. Change your spark plug tube seals.
2. Reseat spark plug tubes.
3. Do you have a short ram air intake? The one I used to have rubbed on the wire harness, shorting a bunch of stuff. I just put a thick layer of electrical tape on each wire. That stopped the engine and battery lights from randomly comin on.
4. The gauge thing is pretty common. It's just the gauges resetting, and doesn't mean anything.
I second that. I should have replaced my tube seals a long time ago, but Wal-Mart kind of forced my hand by breaking the threads on the valve cover for the oil cap and the new one from the dealer came with new bolts, seals and gasket. As far as the gauges go, mine did that after I replaced the battery and battery cables after a break in and was dead for a week (coupled with a blown fuse under the hood) until I replaced that fuse, it did it every time. Can't remember which fuse it was since that was a year ago, though.

lol, you took your car to Wal Mart?

Sabersoul · Post by **Sabersoul** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:38 pm

Swordfish2Cowboy wrote: lol, you took your car to Wal Mart?

I know. I'm a dumb ass, but was in a hurry and since I live in an apartment they won't let me do things like that on my own (which I'd prefer do to). Lesson learned.

SRT-Wannabe · Post by **SRT-Wannabe** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:05 pm

SXT87 wrote:
Yesterday I noticed the engine making a weird noise. It almost sounds like a low wooshing sound, kind of like a turbo.

That happens to me, but not often. I thought it sounded awesome, but if it is a problem I'd like to know what it is. Betty wants a turbo in her, i bet.

SXT87 · Post by **SXT87** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:30 pm

The car has been working fine, which is awesome. I don't think the gauge problem is normal though.. I have a video I could post so everyone can see what happens.

yellowpatrol · Post by **yellowpatrol** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:35 pm

do it.

esfan · Post by **esfan** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:47 pm

SRT-Wannabe wrote:
SXT87 wrote:
Yesterday I noticed the engine making a weird noise. It almost sounds like a low wooshing sound, kind of like a turbo.
That happens to me, but not often. I thought it sounded awesome, but if it is a problem I'd like to know what it is. Betty wants a turbo in her, i bet.

check the throttle body to see if there's any leakage, my throttle body make the "turbo" sound and i wash it... it's gone. sometimes it's just too dirty.

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:11 pm

Make sure you didn't sleep walk and install a turbo?

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:19 pm

Fuzzyneon wrote:Make sure you didn't sleep walk and install a turbo?

Shit! Sign me up for lessons!

SXT87 · Post by **SXT87** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:06 pm

Fuzzyneon wrote:Make sure you didn't sleep walk and install a turbo?

Oh shit! Yeah..that's what happened. Silly me.. hahaha But yeah i'll check the throttle body for dirtiness.. thanks guys! Also, I'll get that video posted soon.. I haven't found the time to do that yet.

2GN.ORG

Gas in cyl. 1,2 and 3 and gauges going crazy

Gas in cyl. 1,2 and 3 and gauges going crazy

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Re: Gas in cyl. 1,2 and 3 and gauges going crazy

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