2K Neon Idle Speed

[Y2kNeon]

Before I look it up, I just thought I'd ask if anyone could tell me how to raise the idle on a 2000 Neon. With the motor mounts in, it's so low it just runs really shaky at stoplights.

[djchristensen]

Well when you come to a stop, does it act like it shimmies a little, if it does, I know what could be the problem from another neon site, they said that driving around 30-40 mph and coming to a stop leaves the power steering pump valve open or something like that and it lowers the rpm to around 6-7 hundred, that is what my car does by symptoms, I come to a stop and it kind of shimmies and as soon as I tilt my sterring wheel to the side a bit, the rpms come up and it purs like a kitten. Hope this will help you.

[Y2kNeon]

Hmm, I would've never thought of that. Those are my exact symptoms as well. I'll check it out next time I'm in the ol' Neon. Thank you.

[djchristensen]

I found this website forum just like this. It is called www.neons.org. I found a topic hinting at engine shimming, and that is how I found that others have a problem like ours, but the post said it had to do with something with or in the power steering.

[djchristensen]

here is the thread posted on the neon.org site
I do this to get my rpm back up, tilt the steering wheel to left or right
If you can turn your steering left to right and your rpm goes back up, then your problem is the Power Steering pressure switch, which detects changes at speeds just before 50miles an hour and speeds 50 and above.

I found out that when I drive above 50 miles an hour, and come to a stop the switch doesn't close to return the idle to normal, it remains open thinking that I am still driving above 50.

After I changed that out, my problem went away! Even the dealer could not figure that one out. I stumbled on to it after reading the trouble shooting guide from Dodge.

It might help you .................. something else to look into!

Later

[Y2kNeon]

Hey peeps. Just wanted to say that the 'power steering pump shudder' was my problem. A slight jerk of the steering wheel at stoplights stopped the rough idle. Thanks a lot for yer help. I was wondering tho, is this just an 'inconvenience' problem, or can it cause long term damage? Would replacing the power steering pump eliminate this?

Thanx again