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DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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shirl32
Novice
Jan 6, 2010, 6:17 PM
Post #1 of 8
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DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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I just got a Dodge Neon SE 2001 to use as a second car which will not be used much. It looks like new and runs fine except when it is idling. When idling, it acts almost like it is going to die and vibrates (but doesn't actually die - just runs rough). When you step on the gas pedal, it runs smooth as anything. The spark plugs are fine. One thing we found was when you turn the A/C on while it is idling, it starts idling smoothly. Also, if you slip it into neutral, it also idles smoothly. Someone told us that there is no adjustment to the idle. Can this be true and, if not, what could be causing this and/or what could be tried to fix it? I know this is a cheapy car, but it serves the purpose for us (has two air bags) and would like it running right. You guys have helped me out before and would sure appreciate your help on this one. Thanks.
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brager
User
Jan 7, 2010, 3:02 AM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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if it only vibrates and idles bad while its in gear and not in neutrol
1st thing i would check for would be any kind of play or broken , or cracked
moter mount a bad moter mount would give you those kind of symptoms also
the fact that the problem goes away after a/c is turned on im "guessing while
your in gear ? is due to a slight
RPM increase wich is masking a existing problem.
check that first and keep us
posted...?
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Sidom
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/ Moderator
Jan 7, 2010, 11:04 AM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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As suggested, you want to look at the mounts 1st. A quick check would be to put a jack with a piece of wood on it under the oil pan and raise the engine slightly while it's idling in gear and vibrating. If the vibration goes away you have a broken or hardened motor mount.
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shirl32
Novice
Jan 13, 2010, 8:25 PM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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Sidom and Brager,
Thanks for both of your replies. We went ahead and had all of the motor mounts replaced. They were worn enough to replace them. However, even though this helped somewhat, it did not get rid of the problem. It cut down on the vibration about 50%. This car runs great, no miss, great pickup, snappy as anything, solid feeling and absolutely no play whatsoever in the steering wheel; it is really a fun car to drive. The only problem we have is when it is idling in drive, it will start to vibrate, especially in the morning when we first start driving it; however, it does it all the time, just worse in the morning. The steering wheel vibrates and it is noisy. If it is idling with the car on a slant, it doesn't seem to do it as much. It also sounds/acts like the motor is going to die. If we put it in neutral, it isn't as bad and we can also give it a little bit of gas to get rid of the vibration while in neutral. This is driving us crazy. It doesn't do it all the time when it is idling -- probably about one-third of the time. If it weren't running so darn good, it would be different. Someone mentioned the idler control valve (not a mechanic). Could the idler control valve have anything to do with this? If the idler control valve was bad wouldn't this be something that would show up on the diagnostic machine? It doesn't show up as of now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Sidom
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/ Moderator
Jan 13, 2010, 8:51 PM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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It is possible that is idling to low and feels like a vibration...... It wouldn't be a bad idea to clean the throttle body, this is something that should be done always as part of regular vehicle maintance, and no, a dirty throttle body won't usually set a code.
How many mounts were changed?
Between the engine, trans & torque struts there should be 5.
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shirl32
Novice
Jan 14, 2010, 12:03 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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Thanks again for your reply. In looking at the receipt for the motor mounts, it shows upper mount $49; lower mount $49; engine mount $119; and transmission mount $59 (these are the part prices - not labor). It appears to be only four mounts -- which one would be missing if there should be five?
I think I am not properly explaining what is happening. If we stop at four stop lights and the car idles in drive, three of those times the car will idle perfectly, silently and no vibration; the other time, it will act/sound like it is going to die and vibrates a lot. All the other driving time, it is running quietly with no vibration or hesitation.
I hate to sound totally clueless, but I am not that familiar with the "throttle body." I will check with our mechanic as to if this has been cleaned. He doesn't seem to know what is causing our problem.
In the meantime, thanks for taking the time to reply to my posts and if you have any other suggestions, please advise. I will also let you know what I find out.
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shirl32
Novice
Feb 1, 2010, 9:50 PM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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Well, this is really getting me puzzled -- I have checked the internet and this vibration seems to be a common problem with Dodge Neons -- tons of people are posting on the internet about the same problem. We have now replaced ALL motor mounts (including the middle hard to replace one) -- the motor mounts were in fact worn; had the throttle body cleaned; and replaced the idle control valve. There is not much left to replace. Nothing has had any effect on the vibration. It has now become a challenge to find the answer. There has to be a fix for this somewhere. If anyone has any more ideas, please let us. The car absolutely runs perfect with the exception of the vibration while idling in drive and it is driving us nuts. 
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nickwarner
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/ Moderator
Feb 2, 2010, 12:36 AM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: DODGE NEON 2001 IDLING LEAN
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This sounds a lot like the throttle position sensor to me. The idle validation circuit getting worn in it could cause this effect and when the AC is on it gets bypassed to an extent to raise the idle for the AC which can mask this problem. I don't do a lot of these but if he's this deep into it it would be worth a shot. I've seen these be bad and not throw codes
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