Chrysler Repair: 96 Dodge Neon - No Spark or Start, dodge neon, neon 2

Question
QUESTION: Hello there,

I have a 1996 Dodge Neon, 2.0 litre, SOHC.  I just changed the head on the car.  After replacing the head and reassembling the components, the car started fine and ran perfect.  2 minutes into running the engine, the car shut off and I cannot get it to start back up.  I rechecked the timing and it is right on.  I replaced the cam and crank sensors and still no luck.  I checked the voltage to the cam and crank sensors and I am getting around 9.6 volts.  I also put another coil pack on the car and no luck there either.  There is voltage to the coil pack, when the key is turned on, it goes to 12-13 volts then the voltage goes away (energizing the ASD?).  I am really stumped on this one ... any ideas?


ANSWER: How about trying for fault codes:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that with the ignition key in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine which remains 'on', to see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat the count process to assure accuracy. Group the counts is pairs to form the two-digit fault code numbers, the last of which is always 55 (which means end of readout). Then write back or go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a code translation. We'll go from there if you have any codes.
The coil pack 12v supply depends on the ASD being closed, and that closure depends upon the controller getting signals from the two sensors (e.g. working and the engine rotating). You could check the signals from the sensors by turning the engine over by hand with igntion switch 'on' and you should see the voltage oscillate between 0.3 and 5v between the other two wires on each of the sensors. It is normal to loose the 12v after a second or so of turning the ignition to the run position unless you start ceanking the engine over to produce signals/
Roland


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm assuming that I should leave the sensors plugged in while performing the voltage test?

Also, I am not pulling any bad codes.  The only two codes I am retrieving are code "12" and "55"

Thanks Roland!

Answer
Yes, leave the sensors plugged in measure the signals by carefully probing the connectors with pins to make contact. Turn the engine by hand via the crank pulley bolt, with the ignition in the run position. Also, check to see that the coil pack plug shows 12V when cranking on the dark green/orange wire.
Roland