Bad ECU, 97 Neon.

[brandcrx88]

Ok, Here it goes. I have had nothing but problems with my 1997 Neon. Blown head gasket (repaired) Dead fuel pump (repaired) Leaking heater core (repaired) Broken timing belt complete with bent valves! (repaired...$1300 job) Had to replace all hoses an the radiator due to overheating and motor oil in them. Changed the thermostat at least a few times this year. Gauges not working (repaired) water pump leaking (repaired). At first i could not complain, got the car for free, not running, 2nd owner.... but now im $2600 into this thing and it seems like there is no end, so here is the most recent problem and I need help badly or this thing will never see the road again. pulled car into garage to replace the heater core and before I shut it off the check engine light came on, Spent a week replacing the heater core (big job) when i got the time. Went to start the thing and It made a funny rapid clank noise? turns over but will not start, very weak spark. Replaced crankshaft position sensor. getting no power from computer, got used computer on ebay for 200 bucks. Wont start, called Dodge and they told me it needs to be flashed wile in the car. Towed car to Dodge dealership, waited a week and this is what they told me... VIN code burned into PCM cannot use used computer, Will need new or rebuilt computer. This pissed me off, so i asked some techs and some said this was true and some said they lied to me. So I went ahead and ordered the computer and they put it in... $450!!! Car still wont start! they gave me this code: T0230 no crank reference to the PCM, dealership is telling me someone damaged the wiring harness wile trying to find problem.. dealership quoted me at $500 to fix wiring harness!!! I know they are shafting me and I dont know what to do. Im towing the car home today and am about out of ideas.... PLEASE HELP ME im at wits end.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by brandcrx88

Ok, Here it goes. I have had nothing but problems with my 1997 Neon. Blown head gasket (repaired) Dead fuel pump (repaired) Leaking heater core (repaired) Broken timing belt complete with bent valves! (repaired...$1300 job) Had to replace all hoses an the radiator due to overheating and motor oil in them. Changed the thermostat at least a few times this year. Gauges not working (repaired) water pump leaking (repaired). At first i could not complain, got the car for free, not running, 2nd owner.... but now im $2600 into this thing and it seems like there is no end, so here is the most recent problem and I need help badly or this thing will never see the road again. pulled car into garage to replace the heater core and before I shut it off the check engine light came on, Spent a week replacing the heater core (big job) when i got the time. Went to start the thing and It made a funny rapid clank noise? turns over but will not start, very weak spark. Replaced crankshaft position sensor. getting no power from computer, got used computer on ebay for 200 bucks. Wont start, called Dodge and they told me it needs to be flashed wile in the car. Towed car to Dodge dealership, waited a week and this is what they told me... VIN code burned into PCM cannot use used computer, Will need new or rebuilt computer. This pissed me off, so i asked some techs and some said this was true and some said they lied to me. So I went ahead and ordered the computer and they put it in... $450!!! Car still wont start! they gave me this code: T0230 no crank reference to the PCM, dealership is telling me someone damaged the wiring harness wile trying to find problem.. dealership quoted me at $500 to fix wiring harness!!! I know they are shafting me and I dont know what to do. Im towing the car home today and am about out of ideas.... PLEASE HELP ME im at wits end.

Welcome to AF on your first post.
Sounds like a strange deal on PCM.
The used pcm may have not have had the right VIN in it.
They will run without the vin no or with another vin no.
But if it was good it should have worked.

If the wiring is bad it should not take 500$ fix it.
Usually a plug in repair kit fixes it.
Also clear and recheck that code no.
I would double check everything before you go any farther with it.
And get your used pcm back and recheck it.
Let us know how it goes.
Good Luck MT

[brandcrx88]

Thanks for the post. Im working on it right now and will keep you up to date on any progress. Thank you, Brandon.

[yale329]

Realy hate to give you this advice, but if you can't fix it yourself the car will break you. I just went thrugh endless repairs on my sons 2000, and although done now, I will make hime get rid of it, for when they go they really go big time.
Just a Dad, Good luck, Wayne

[das2123]

Man, you got freaking ripped on the PCM's. I could have gotten you a used one for about $50 and NO WAY did you need a new one!

I would check the wiring to the crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor. Also check to make sure your battery cables are clean and free of corrosion and are TIGHT on the battery posts.

[yale329]

I didn't get riped off, wrong person friend, but you sure are right on that one.
Wayne

[das2123]

Originally Posted by yale329

I didn't get riped off, wrong person friend, but you sure are right on that one.
Wayne

I was referring to the original poster, not you.