1996 Dodge neon 2.0 sohc 80k miles bought it not running. Will crank but no start. Asd working new crank sensor new cam sensor both getting 8v all grounds good wiring harness checked for issues all good. Scan tool showing about 5rpm during cranking. Charges ignition coil with 12v with key on but not during cranking. New pcm. Continuity test shows good wires from sensors to pcm. Fuel pump working. Still no spark. No idea where to look next
Have a look at the first question and answer here. It sounds very similar to your problem.
https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1998-plymouth-neon-spark
So now I have a code 42 which is I guess asd circuit open. I've tried 5 other relays in that spot to no avail. Where do the wires for that particular circuit run? I've tried googling it and haven't found crap for where they are ran I'll check them for a broken wire which I assume would lead to an open circuit.
Code 42? That car must be ODB1 even though it's a 1996 right? Code 42 is for the following: fuel pump relay control circuit, auto shutdown relay control circuit, no ASD relay output voltage at PCM, fuel level sending unit volts out of range, fuel level unit no change over miles. I have read that a misaligned magnet on the cam or crank position sensors will cause this code/problem because there will be no ASB relay output voltage if either one is the case. I would also expect to see a code 11: timing belt skipped 1 tooth or more from initial learned value, intermittent loss of either camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, no crank reference signal detected during engine cranking.
My thought is to look for a fuel level sending unit issue if you haven't, if there is not an accompanying code 11. Is the fuel gauge working correctly?
Here is a wiring diagram for the engine control system. I don't know actual wire routing on that vehicle. There are devices that can trace wires and detect open circuits used by telephone technicians and such, but they don't always work like a charm.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12oIldG1ipGtH_tvaXlndwRJDoxfeLZe6/view
I hope this helps, good luck.
Typo, I meant OBD1
Actually now that u bring it up the fuel gauge is not working I had no idea they were related. No code 11 that I have found but I have noticed my OBD2 readers will each throw a different code. Then the key dance shows a 42. My one reader gave me cam position sensor code I can't remember what is. No timing or correlation code yet. Fuel pump fires up but your saying it's possible the fuel level sending unit can have a short that can kill the asd circuit?
So if I'm reading this wiring diagram correctly the asd relay goes to the fuel pump relay then from there to the fuel pump module? I'm trying to follow this thing but it seems like a bunch of them come together at a dot then later on it's a different color. I know I can't be that clueless!
All the magic happens in the PCM which isn't shown.
Here is where I found that OBD1 code 42 included the fuel pump and sending unit possibilities. I also thought the two would be unrelated until looking at the one line diagram for the 95 Neon and seeing the fuel pump relay and ASD relay are on the same circuit.
So yes, it looks that way to me. What do you think?
I'm hoping to check the reluctor here very soon to see if it has an issue and from what I understand there's a dowel in the can gear that can snap off and cause a timing issue? I would think even with the timing off there should be a message going to pcm but I did the test with test light on the ignition coil plug and it wasn't showing a message from either crank or cam during cranking. (I unplugged one and left the other plugged in and if there's a message coming it will flash during cranking. But that might have been a bunk test
From my internet searches I see all of those possibilities related to timing/firing. I agree there should be some corroborating evidence like another code besides 42, but maybe not. Bare in mind the ASD relay prevents the car from starting if the PCM detects a problem in the fuel delivery function or firing function so it's a 50/50 proposition. That's why I asked about the fuel gauge. Try the test again, described in my first answer, without unplugging anything. It should point to a firing problem if there is one. I hope it's not the dowel on the cam gear. That is probably the worst case scenario. Please keep me posted.
Well I gave up on it. I've traced every wire I can find it now threw the 42 code twice in one key dance. With a 14 in between. Every wire back to the fuel module is good. Still getting no messages from crank. 2 new sensors. I give up on it! I'm guessing the crank lost whatever passes the sensor. It's going to scrap this week I'll just buy one that's running
That's a good decision. Put it out of it's misery and yours. I'm surprised it lasted 25 years to be honest. Find your self something that will be headache free.
I'm doing that very thing! I found a 1999 Ford escort 2.0 very clean 102000 miles for 1800. I'll hopefully be picking up this week