Chrysler Repair: Chrysler Neon 2.0i LX 1996 (P), chrysler neon, neon 2

Question
Dear Roland

I wonder if you could help. I have a wholly defunct key fob which has caused immobilisation problems for some time and is now non fixable. I wish to remove the immobiliser and go back to key only. Is this possible and if so how. The rest of the car is still in great nick and is fantastic on long runs so is definitely worth persevering with.

Thank you

Richard Sara

Answer
Hi Richard,
The Neon is a car that I have yet to obtain a manual for so I can only go on the basis of my shop manual for the '95 Sebring which was designed over a similar time period. In that context, it appears that the immboliliser is integrated into the engine control unit and is thus not easily disconnected. In all the designs, though, it is my understanding that if you only use the manual door lock push buttons, and only open or lock a door with a key, that the theft security function is bypassed because you won't activate it. So once you can get the system disarmed (try locking and unlocking both front door with the key) then you will never be troubled again. The chances are if that won't disarm it that the wire between the electrical switch that is associated with the key cylinder in each door has fatitigued and broken where it passes thru the hinge between the door and the door frame. So if you can repair either of those wires you should be able to disarm the system. The dealer has a communication box that allows for analysis of the system, and similarly a new key fob can be purchased and then using the same box it is programmed to be recognized by the system. But that of course requires some expense. But those are the only two approaches that I would know of. You could inquire at the dealer if there is a separate controller in the Neon of that model year, and if there were, then that type of set-up could indeed be disconnected so long as you pulled its separate plug only while the engine was running. Otherwise, if you just pull its plug it treats you like a thief and you have to get it to a dealer to disarm it!
Please let me know what you find out or do to resolve this issue so I can share it with others.
Roland