96 neon (service engine soon)

I recently bought a neon with the 16 valve DOHC engine. I don't know much about it, for the exception it was in a bad accident previously in the rear quarter panel. Anyways, I got it for a decent price. Whenever I bought it, the "service engine soon" light was on, I did a partial tune up ( new spark plugs, distributor wires, air filter, oil change) Before I did all of this, it was running terrible, going down the road you could feel the engine coughing. Unfortunatly, the spark plugs looked as if they hadent been changed in a long time, I'm guessing maybe 5 years, from the way they looked, the air filter was black, starting from the tips. Probably the worst I've seen yet. I thought maybe after giving it a tune up, the light would go off. It didnt after all, I'm stumped on it because I've been told serveral different things from local people.(Oxygen sensor, Intake manifold sensor, catylactic converter) I have no idea on what is going on with this car, and for me to replace everything that I'm hearing, Im sure it'd become more than what the car is worth..
The only odd signs it's showing leading up to the dash light is, when you're going up a hill at high speeds(65 mph), 5th gear with the gas pedal floored, it accelerates sluggishly, not skipping, just slow, whenever in 4th gear it accelerates moderatly decent.. Now I know when any engine has to go up a hill it makes the motor work harder, but that made me wonder if it's just worn out. The engine has 101k miles on it. It has no signs of burning/leaking oil, whenever I did the oil change the oil didnt smell scorched. I'm just assuming it's not getting enough air flow or it has to do with the fuel lines?
I don't know hardly anything about sensors, and thats what people are telling me. If anybody can help me I would greatly appreciate it!

To get the OBD codes, do the following:
1)turn the ignition key ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON within 5 seconds.
2) Count the number of times the 'Check Engine' lamp on the instrument panel flashes on and off. The number of flashes represents the code. There is a slight pause between the flashes representing the first and second digits of the code. Longer pauses separate individual codes. For example, flash-flash-flash [pause] flash-flash represents the code 32.

Do that and then post back the codes and we can go from there.

The coil pack might be going bad. That happened with my Neon.

Update:
I decided to just take my car to a person I know locally that works on cars. I wanted to see exactly what the computer was reading on my car. He said the "service engine soon" light was triggered supposedly by the EGR valve/sender unit, also it read saying the car was running too cold too long, so he suggested changing the thermostat. I did just that, I noticed starting it in the morning it seems to start better, doesnt make that terrible "tick" sound so loudly. Whenever I pulled the old thermostat out, it had broken on the side, I'm sure that consists of part of the reason it was running bad. The last thing it read was the the gasoline sending unit was bad ( It makes sense considering the car was hit in the rear corner a few years back. It is something I'm not concerned about. Otherwise, I still don't know what explains the loss of acceleration in 5th gear. I've gotten new spark plugs & wires, air filter, thermostat, oil change. It had helped it quite tremendessly from whenever I first bought it, but could it be fuel related? Maybe a fuel filter? I'm guessing everything on the car is original, the thermostat actually had the Chrysler symbol on it, which tells me it's original or was taken to the manufacturer, I really don't know anything about this car. I'll probably be taking it in within the next couple weeks to have the EGR valve replaced (It needs to pass IM by the end of June) eeks, I was also told it has an exhaust leak.

I'll probably be taking it in within the next couple weeks to have the EGR valve replaced (It needs to pass IM by the end of June)The EGR valve and solenoid are about $100 from the dealer and can be replaced by you pretty easily. You will probably spend way more than that having someone do it for you. The neon is a very simple and easy car top work on. I suggest getting a Haynes on Chiltons manual and reading up on it.

I was also told it has an exhaust leak.That could be what is causing your problems. Did he tell you where the leak was coming from?

No, he just said he heard an exhaust leak, I'm assuming it's comming from the front somewhere, maybe near the catylactic converter or manifold, I checked underneath it towards the back and muffler, i wasnt seeing any exhaust seepage. It definatly has a leak somewhere, if I floor it at lower speeds it sounds like it had duals on it and its comming from the front somewhere.

Check for a cracked exhaust manifold.

the flashes i counted for the service engine soon light is as follows.......
1 2 2 2 3 4 2 1 4 2 5 5 for the code of 33 i think...... please help me this is my first car ever........
the engine is Sohc 2.0 L 16 valve

12 Battery or computer recently disconnected
22 Coolant sensor signal out of range - May have been disconnected to set timing
34 Speed control Solenoid circuits
21 Oxygen sensor signal doesn't change (stays at 4.3-4.5V). Probably bad oxygen sensor
42 Fuel pump relay control ckt, Auto shutdown relay control ckt, No ASD relay output voltage at PCM, Fuel level sending unit volts out of range, Fuel level unit No change over miles

ok so my code is 33 does that mean my speed sensor is out and needs replaced

You don't have a code 33.

"I recently bought a neon with the 16 valve DOHC engine. "
Also to note. The dohc in my 98 Neon requires premium gas.

"I recently bought a neon with the 16 valve DOHC engine. "
Also to note. The dohc in my 98 Neon requires premium gas.It can run fine on 87 octane. My 99 ran on 87 octane just fine.

Cant Set Timing On A 96 Neon With Obd 2 Code Will Not Be Reset Until They Are Reset Using A Scanner Or Waiting Like 40 Key Starts A Bad O2 In A Post 96 Chrysler Will Make It Run Like Shit

Cant Set Timing On A 96 Neon With Obd 2 Code Will Not Be Reset Until They Are Reset Using A Scanner Or Waiting Like 40 Key Starts A Bad O2 In A Post 96 Chrysler Will Make It Run Like ShitThe CEL can be reset by pulling the 20a fuse for the fuel pump from the PDC or disconnecting the negative terminal for 10-15 minutes.

Who said anything about setting timing with an OBD II scanner?

Cant Set Timing At All.cant Reset 2 Trip Global Codes By Disconnecting Battery.the American Goverment Mandated That In 96.i Do This Shit Everyday Of My Life Cant Figure Out Why People Are So Hard Headed On This Site

Noone is talking about setting timing and yes you can reset the PCM by disconnecting the negative terminal. When I have a code pop up and fix the problem, I disconnect and the CEL is gone. If the problem is still there, then the CEL will come back on.

im still getting code 34 and i just replaced my speed sensor that i was told was the problem but i guess not...... do u have any ideas now what is wrong......light is still on and no speedomoter

Did you reset the PCM? Did you take care of the other problems as well? Try this (http://www.neons.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18) for the speedometer problem.

Do you have an auto or manual?

Hi, My daughter just gave back the Neon I gave her. 100,000 km in 4 years with no maintenance... Not bad eh? To tell you the truth I have changed the oil and filter around 4 times for her during this time. It is an auto and the check engine soon lamp is on. Surprise surprise!! I have changed oil, filter fuel filter, leads, air filter, plugs, but still lamp is on. I will check for codes tomorrow. This is a very handy website. I am pleased I found it. Also no reverse when the engine is started from cold. After about 45 seconds to 1 minute of idling the car jumps and bangs into reverse. Do you think this could be due to no auto trans fluid change in at least 4 years or 100,000 km? I am wondering if it is worth wile changing the trans fluid or just counting my losses and taking it to the wrecking yard. What do you think?

Hi, I know it was quite a few years back, but did you ever get to the bottom of why the check engine lamp was on and did it eventually disappear? I am having the same problem with my daughters Neon.

I'd check the coded first and then report back. If it's never had a fluid and filter flush for the tranny, it's probably worth the $100 investment.