96 Neon SOHC help

[NeoAngel]

I'm thinking about getting a 96 Plymouth Neon, But it has some problems and being the idiot that I am, Don't know anything about cars. The girl who has it says that the back wheel locked up and won't move and that it idles low, I figure that the idleing problem could just be a fuel problem or that the timing is off, But I have no idea about the wheel, What do you think the problem is? Thanks in advance.

[das2123]

Idle problem could be fuel pump, fuel injector, IAC sensor or TPS.

Frozen caliper or drum for the wheel.

[denisond3]

The locked back wheel could be a handbrake cable that was rusted and frozen in the on position (even if the handle is released). It could also be some of the springs or the self adjuster parts inside the drum have rusted and broken loose - gotten jammed between the drum and the brake shoes. (That happened to our 97 Neon at 120,000 miles). The fix would be to pull the drum off, inspect, repair. And please inspect both rear brakes, left and right; since what went bad from rust on one side is probably not so good on the other side. If you are mechanically inclined & can do the work yourself, it wont be too tough - aside from pulling the drum off if its jammed. You could try backing the car up a few inches and see if it frees up the drum - then remove the tire. Banging on the side of the drum with a hammer may also help loosen it.
As for the low idle: I would suspect the Idle Air Control Valve is sticking. Its located on the throttle body. The part would cost about $60-$80. I had to replace ours when the engine would sometimes die when you came to a stop with your foot off the gas. It took me about an hour to replace it, most of the time spent getting the bolts undone without breaking their heads off. I think they were the torx head kind of bolts.
It can not be bad timing - because the timing is controlled by the computer (PCM) located next to the battery, based on input from the Crankshaft Position Sensor among other things. If it were a fuel problem, the car either wouldnt start at all, or wouldnt run well as you were going down the road. If you can get the car up to 40 mph, then the fuel pump is probably fine.
If you buy the car, think about replacing the spark plugs, unless you know they have been replaced in the last 10,000 to 15,000 miles. And if the car has over 100,000 miles on it, ask if the timing belt has been replaced. If it has not or the answer is vague, you need to do that asap. Along with the belt it is advisable to replace the tensioner pulley and the water pump. (Because most of the labor to replace the water pump is also the labor to replace the timing belt.) Its quite a chore to replace it, but somewhere on this forum someone has either explained how they did it, or has a link to an explanation elsewhere on the internet.
Neons are great cars if you are at all handy and have some tools. If you read the posts on this forum you will be an expert on the common problems with Neons.
I got the original Dodge Neon service manual from ebay for about $30. It paid for itself in the first week - and I never take my cars to a service facility; have always been able to do the work myself.

[NeoAngel]

The car has 146k on it. I was also thinking that it could be that the drum seized up aswell, But was not sure. The inspection on the car ran out in January, She wants $700 for the car, But I told her that I might give her $400 for it. I like Neons, I always have, But I don't want to get a car that is going to end up costing me out the ass to fix, Or end up with a car that is only good for parts. Do you guys think that the car is worth it? And also, On other problem is that if I did buy the car, Than I would have to tow it and the people I am staying with right now would get VERY pissed off if I bought a car and had to have it towed here, So how long would it take to fix everything, Within a day? And what should I look for if I go see it, Like trouble signs for Neons, If something is going to break? Thanks.

[das2123]

Look to see if it has an MLS headgasket on there...
http://www.myneonspeed.com/howto/howto_1stgen_mls.htm

And ask about the timing belt, water pump and idler pulley.

You could also swap from drums to rear discs (just for looks) for about $100-$150.

What does it idle at? Should be anywhere from 800-1000 rpms.

[NeoAngel]

So swapping the rear drums for disc brakes would give me no performance increase at all?

[NeoAngel]

How much do you guys think that the Neon is worth giving all the problems it has and the fact that I will probably have to have it towed?

[denisond3]

You have only mentioned 2 problems; a low idle and a rear brake stuck. Those dont seem overwhelming to me. My personal viewpoint is that a car is worth having if its a fun vehicle, easy to get parts for, isnt wrecked or rusted out, gets good mileage and is generally reliable. I am a do-it-myself guy, and willing to do work on my car - until it rusts out, gets wrecked, or I find something more fun. I dont know of any cars that are trouble free; its enough if I know what the common problems are and that they all have solutons.

[NeoAngel]

I meant only those 2 problems that was wrong with it, But the A/C does not work either, I forgot to mention that one. Are Neons prone to rusting? And What is the difference between Dodge and Plymouth Neon's?

[denisond3]

The original air conditioners on most 1996 cars will have quit working if there have not been repairs. I imagine the most common problem is leaks past the compressor shaft seal.
The Neons in northern Virginia & further south never seem to have rust problems; but it may be a different story in northern states - where they use a lot of salt in the winter. Michigan, Minnesota, upstate NY, etc.
I dont know the difference between Plymouth and Dodge Neons; there may be none, other than the first 3 positions in the VIN. I have a couple of Plymouth Horizons and a couple of Dodge Omnis, a total of 4, and all are 4 dr hatchbacks). They were the same car, except for the plastic glued-on 'horizon' or 'omni' name plates, and the VINs. And usually the Dodges seemed to have more optional stuff as standard.

[NeoAngel]

This Neon came from Ohio. So I would have to replace the whole A/C unit? I was just wondering about the difference between the Neons because they look exactly the same and I was wondering if I buy something for a Dodge Neon if it will fit the Plymouth.

[denisond3]

I will send you a private message about fixing auto a.c. systems - too long to post here.

[NeoAngel]

Thanks.