Question
2003 Dodge Neon SE bro
September 6, 2008
Greetings to Ask Kevin.
Can you please help me to identify a broken wire in the attached picture?
My 2003 Dodge Neon SE suddenly acted funny 2 days ago (will not shift to 3rd gear, speedometer needle wacky.) Using my OBDII scanner, I found error codes P0700 and P0720. Based on my research on the internet's auto discussion boards, it seemed that 0700 is a general transmission error code, and 0720 (output sensor malfunction) is the specific problem code. After reading up on the internet on how-to's, I bought an output speed sensor from an auto parts store for $20 and thought I could replace it myself. Yesterday morning when I jacked up and crawled under the car, I found that there was a dangling (broken) wire. Based on the dust marks, I realized it should have been attached to something related to the left front wheel shank. I stuck it back in and secured it with a red piece of electrical tape. Then when I drove the car around for 6 miles, it was fine and no more error codes. Since I do not have a repair manual, I figured repairing the broken wire may be above my head, and did not proceed to replace the output speed sensor myself. Instead I called an auto shop that I had used for brake and tire work before, and told them in detail about my observations, and especially about the broken wire. The guy said to bring in the car, and he would charge me $29 for an analysis since I have an idea about the problem.
The symptoms returned after about 12 miles on the way to the shop yesterday afternoon. I told the 2 guys at the front about the P0720 error code, the symptoms, and my finding the broken wire, as well as drew them a diagram to show the location of the broken wire. The second guy (not the 1st guy on the phone) said that wire was part of the output speed sensor assembly.
This morning the second guy called me back and said I had an extra error code, p0700 that I did not know, and that his fancy $1500 scanner picked it up. I said I saw that code on my scanner too, but that my research said it was a general indicator only. He said I need a transmission solenoid pressure switch for $320, an output speed sensor for $55, labor for $165 and engine diagnostics for $89. He said the 1st guy was wrong about the $29 analysis. I asked him if the output sensor replacement will repair the broken wire and he said yes. Since I was not sure about that expensive solenoid replacement, I opted to replace the output speed sensor first, and ended up paying $189 (including a $22 oil change). At the time of pickup today, I asked the second guy if they replaced that broken wire with the red tape, and he said yes.
This afternoon, the car drove fine on the way home for about 14 miles, no error codes, proper shifting etc. However, when I drove it 3 hours later, the same symptoms and error codes 0700 and 0720 appeared after just a mile. I crawled under the car and saw that the broken wire has not been replaced, the red electrical tape is still attached to it. Please see my picture as attached.
I realize that it is possible that my Neon may need the expensive solenoid, but I feel taken since the shop did not even work on the broken wire.
Can you identify for me that wire in the picture, whether that broken wire could have caused my problems, and whether it is likely that 0700 error code means the expensive solenoid replacement. Many thanks.
Answer
pic
I cant quite tell u what that wire goes to from the pic what I can tell u is that P700 just tells the engine computer to go into limp in mode and is nothing to do with replace a solenoid pack that's what the thing he was trying to sell u. What u can do is locate the speed sensor there are 2 one input and one output I dont know which one U got from the store so the prob might not even be fixed. As for the wire if it was the issue it would have come back on with in 20 feet of driving and the spedo would not have worked as well. Here is a pic of both of them and the solenoid pack to which u dont need replaced as far as I am concerned and with out any other codes I doubt u need one ne way. All of the wires for the speed sensors are up front not near the exhaust like in the pic of yours.
