2000 Neon Chk Eng codes P0601 & P1684

[Doranpalmer]

Okay, this is for my mother-in-law's car so I don't have reg access to it. Went to check her car because the engine light came on, the gas light was also on but it started and ran perfectly fine, even when I dogged the hell out of it on a police free road. Next day I did the key dance and got P0601 and P1684, the first autozone also pulled up, but not the second, they also didn't reset the code though theys aid they did(I wasn't there). So I checked the code online and found different things between here and other sites. The first code says checksum error on all sites I found, the second varies though. One said Driver 5 line 4, didn't help. One said batt disc in last 50 starts, not likely though possible since she had a full service at Jiffy Lube recently. Also found one suggesting poor connections at or from the batt terminals/cables.

We took it to a Dodge dealer, I first reset the codes correctly, and all was fine, the dealer didn't have time to check but svc guy said it could be nothing, to check the gas cap first to make sure it was put on correctly, it was. We went to leave and the engine light had come back on. She took it back tonight(code first appeared sat night, was checked and reset sunday afternoon) and they told her the comp was bad and would cost $600 and something to replace it. Also said she needed a radiator flush, had the spark plugs changed and had the oil changed again, told her she needed the tranny flushed, and something else retarded. In all it was like $1500 worth of crap, and I'm thinking any one of those things could be causing a problem, even though the car runs perfectly. No strange odors, idles smoothly(as smoothly as possible for a neon at least), no smoke, no leaks.

When she last had the oil changed they gave her the old drain plug, which has a LOT of metal in the threads, and forced a bigger bolt in the pan, I knew that would need to be replaced and it was not leaking anything with the bigger bolt. First they are trying to charge her $358 for a new pan, on top of the charge for the oil change, sound right to you all?

I can't figure the code at all though, what is the correct listing for code P1684 and why would p0601 show up?

Thanks in advance, from reading the forums the last few months, I figure plenty of useful information will come.

[das2123]

P1684 is battery disconnected within the last 50 key-on cycles (nothing to worry about).

P0601 is Internal Controller Failure. The engines PCM will likely need to be replaced. If you need help locating one, let me know. Do not PAY DEALER PRICES for the PCM.

[Doranpalmer]

Hey Das? I'm letting you know. And to make the dealer price worse, they were wanting to order it next week, and said they wouldn't get it til late November. But they were charging like $450 parts on the computer. I knew I could get better but wasn't sure about anti theft or anything like that.

[das2123]

Try www.car-part.com for a used auto place close to you.

[Doranpalmer]

Okay, I just had her send me a pdf of the invoice estimate, in all it totals over three grand ... lol.

The part number was hard to read for the pcm, so I'll show all possible versions.

1. R5269989AR
2. R5Z69989AR

Now I wonder, being familiar with computers and knowing a power surge can blow ram etc. in a PC, could one code be a cause for the error thanks to human error? Her batt has not been disc that she knows of, and I believe Jiffy Lube did it during their svc. If they were to screw up when taking the cables off, like a double contact, could that cause P0601 in the pcm? Like could it fry the pcm at all. They didn't tell her they did it, but I know they'll clean the terminals if really dirty on a full svc. Just curious if she even needs to worry about the cost for this.

[Doranpalmer]

Tried that site and got nothing, too many results with a lot of info that I can't translate into finding a part that will work

[das2123]

Originally Posted by Doranpalmer

Tried that site and got nothing, too many results with a lot of info that I can't translate into finding a part that will work

What is your zip code? And when you mentioned tranny flush, I am assuming it's an auto?

[Doranpalmer]

Zip is 76010 in Texas. Yeah it's an A/T.

[das2123]

I see quite a few places close to you with one ranging in price from $75-$135.
2000 Engine Computer
Dodge Neon GET #'S A TBS71096 $130 GreenLeaf TX Kennedale USA-TX(Ft.-Worth) E-mail 1-866-215-1718 12

2000 Engine Computer
Dodge Neon Ele Cont Unit (ECU), std emis (FED), AT- 7298 $125 Glenn and Jerry's USA-TX(Fort-Worth) Request_Quote 1-888-251-6115 Request_Insurance_Quote

2000 Engine Computer
Dodge Neon 5269989, 5293224,#4137984 #4137984 $100 Twin Lakes Auto Wrecking USA-TX(Dallas) E-mail 1-972-225-4536 / 1-800-891-4536 17

2000 Engine Computer
Dodge Neon H71664055 H71664055 $100 Twin Lakes Auto Wrecking USA-TX(Dallas) E-mail 1-972-225-4536 / 1-800-891-4536

2000 Engine Computer
Dodge Neon 00009423 $57 PRP - American Auto Salvage Inc. USA-TX(Ft-Worth) E-mail 1-800-449-3515 17

2000 Engine Computer
Dodge Neon std emis (Fed), AT 5249 $85 Chaparral Auto Parts, Inc. USA-TX(Frisco) E-mail 1-800-854-0474

[tnbgaskill]

I am having same codes but everything is working fine would I hurt anything by clearing codes and going with it.

[das2123]

You will not hurt anything by clearing the codes. If they come back, then you may need to look deeper.

[tnbgaskill]

do I have to go to autozone or is there an easier way to clear codes

[das2123]

Disconnect the fuel pump fuse or negative terminal on the battery for about 10-15 minutes.

[tnbgaskill]

thanks I give it a try