Need some advice...

[labattconsumer]

My cousin has a 98 Plymouth Neon that let him sitting on an interstate last week. He was driving along when it simply shut off. Mechanic says it's the ecm. I found one on ebay for $88 + shipping. Quality Painted Auto Parts has it. Part # is 5293064AG. This is for the 2.0L DOHC with a 5sp. manual transmission.

What do you guys think? Good deal? Can I get a better deal somewhere else? Cousin is going to college, has a wife and kid. She works, so money's rather tight. Nice car, but mileage makes it senseless to dump alot into.

[1thunder]

yeh it's a good deal if that is the proper part for the car you didn't specify the engine and trans in the cousins car and also if that is the actual problem with the car

[das2123]

Mechanics always jump to the PCM...make sure that is what is wrong with it. Is the CEL on? He can check the codes himself and see whats wrong with the car.

[yale329]

All the above answers are so true, but make sure your getting fuel, a example plugged fuel filter but especially your fuel pump. A easy way to check is to get a short metal pipe, put it in the gas inlet or against the gas tank and have some one turn the ignition key on. You don't have to crank the engine. You should hear a humming sound. The PCM is a "expensive dealer option", and yes you need to know everything about your powertrain so you get the right one. Also I hope you did not bust you timing belt.
Good luck, Wayne

[labattconsumer]

In my old Laser, you clicked the ignition key to on three times and the check engine light blinked the codes. Is this still correct?

The mechanic is pretty good. He isn't with a dealer and I'd trust his word. We live in a small town and word of mouth is pretty powerful here. I don't think he'd jump to conclusions without being pretty sure of himself. I'd imagine he scanned the codes as well.

The engine is a 2.0L DOHC with a 5sp. manual transmission. That's all I know. I did see a different (and ironically, cheaper) computer for the same motor but with an automatic transmission. The part number is the same except it ends with AC instead of AG.

[das2123]

Thats how you check the codes.

Again, too often mechanics say it's the PCM when it's not. Lack of knowledge is the biggest factor. Does the car crank, but not turn over or do you know anything about the problem? What was it doing before it died?