Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge A bit of car help

Strangest thing happened yesterday. We went to the movies and came home. When I pulled into the parking lot at hame, I turned the key off, but the car didnt. Popped the clutch to kill the engine and had to turn the key on and off a few times to get the car (electrics) to really turn off. It is the strangest thing I have ever seen. I hope it really inst the ignition switch and maybe it is because we are drowning out here and the problem is moisture. I did have to run an errand later and had no problem at all.

Soren

Was it dieseling (running with the power off), or did the car not shut off? were the dash lights etc still on?

Year, make, model, mileage? Although ignition switch most likely culprit.
SteveB

I concur, 90%+ chance it is the ignition switch.

Nope, not dieseling... actually running, dash lights on, but no radio, heater fan or windshiled wipers.

2000 Plymouth Neon almost 96,000.

Obviously I am hoping that it it isnt the ignition swith, that is going to be a major PITA.

Thanks for the responses.

Soren

Try here. Looks like you're not the only one.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1f/bl808f.htm

SOREN,
There was a recall dated March 10, 2002 on a few of the Plymouth Neons electrical components. I'm surprised you never received that notice from the boys at Mopar.

Here's a copy of the thing.

*****************************************************
It has come to the attention of Chrysler Corp that the a problem could occur in regards to the key ignition mechanism on some of the year 2000 models of the Plymouth Neon, after some of our Procurement Divison employees took it upon themselves change the supplier of a few of the electric parts used in said vehicle.

The following steps should be taken to rectify this protentially troublesome problem:

(1)Climb, bend, distort your body so that your head is down in the footwell.

(2)Shine a flashlight up and into the region where the ignition switch body protrudes into the back of the instrument panel.

(3)If the letters L-U-C-A-S appear to be embossed ANYWHERE upon said switch.....REPLACE IMMEDIATELY with a unit that does NOT have those letters embossed upon it anywhere.

If your Plymouth Neon's V.I.N.number is between the following number's:
PN658467657999027768867736689776893076686868788
and
PN778457654927490759676587659639649326462975936
then this RECALL NOTICE could affect YOU!

Chrysler apologies in advance for any inconvenience that this could cause you, BUT we feel that keeping the time-honored NAME of Plymouth alive IS, and WILL BE our duty for many years to come.

(signed)
Bill("Who's this German guy who's just walked through my door")Handley
President, Chrysler/PLYMOUTH Corporation
******************************************************

So there ya go Soren ol' buddy! Go grab that flashlight and have at it.

Cheers,
Dwight

Quote:

---

Strangest thing happened yesterday. We went to the movies and came home.

---

that is so strange.

It's not that strange. It's a Neon for heaven sake.

Earlier Neons are known for their electrical problems. Good luck with your problem and keep us posted on your results, please.

Not sure it it makes the most sense to replace the electrical switch or the cylindar lock.Looks the parts are not too horribly expensive, so I might go with both. I just wish it would stop raining.

Soren

Dwight, once again you have helped further my education in all things about life; Lucas electrics (I do own Triumph without Lucas electrics, so maybe the car decided to make up for that) in the car and in Oregon it rains (I am soooo glad you cleared that one up for me, after 15 years here, I still wasn't sure) As far as the mossback stuff goes, they have a cure for that now. It's a very precise perscription and must be followed exactly; once the kids (in my case kid) turns 18, move to Arizona or New Mexico.

Soren

BTW... I did spend the majority of my Navy time in San Diego, my favorite area on the planet (next to Hobart, Tazmania), but too expensive to think about moving back there again.