WTF This car is crazy

[99 Neon R/T]

Ok so here are the symptoms:
1 computer says p0353 355 356 ign coil primary circut fault.even with new coils.
2 Engine will not get above 2000 rpms without struggling alot
3 engine ran better with cam pos sensor unplugged.
4 a/c only works every other time or so the engine is started.
5 Rad fans dont work at all
6The right rear door lock quit working and started working again
7 The front right window quits every now and then and starts again.
8right now the car cant get over 10 mpg unless pointing downhill.
9 When driving i can put it in nuetral or even reverse and it will keep pulling forward,but no prob changing when sitting still and no slipping or shuddering.
10 engine even keeps running when I unplug the MAF
11 oh yeah it has a big blue oval on the front of it lol just joking
everything I have tried or checked just leads me to believe more and more that I have a ecm problem,as it seems to be directly connected to everything I am having problems with,except the windows and door locks,but I blame that on having an 8 and a 2 yr old.I am hoping i am missing some hidden grounding loop or something.I need help I am at my wits end here.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by 99 Neon R/T

I am hoping i am missing some hidden grounding loop or something.I need help I am at my wits end here.

Hmm, one thing you're missing is any detail as to the year of the Taurus and which engine it has.

-Rod

[99 Neon R/T]

Yeah I am sorry about that... stupidity and sleep deprivation has set in.It is an 04 ses with the Duratech dohc.

[tripletdaddy]

I'm just gonna throw this out there for as weird and varied are your problems.

How's your battery? 12+ volts after sitting overnight?
Is the alternator charging as it should? 14 to 15 volts?
Even with high beams and ac on max and fan high?
It will show a voltage dip when turning that stuff on but should recover back to 14 to 15 volts.

And my rabbit out of the hat, hail Mary is your TRS, transmission range sensor, aka an over glorified neutral safety switch, NSS.

Then again, the PCM, like you said is involved with many of the things going wrong.

Can you think of any significant events that occurred to your car? Any repairs done to it before all of this started? Jump started it or use it to jump start another car?

Don't ask how I know this, Rod knows, but a fried computer can do weird stuff. Mine specifically involved the engine coolant temperature circuit getting battery positive to the sensor wiring, but only the engine operation was affected.

I'm mostly guessing that if it is the PCM, and its hardware is still intact, it may just need to be reprogrammed. Not sure if the dealer is the only one out there that can do what you need.

[shorod]

Since your Taurus is so new, I certainly agree with making sure the electrical system is in tip-top shape. The Lincoln LS has been known for having goofy driveability issues when the battery gets old, even if there are no starting issues and the charging system seems to be working. Same for the post-2002 Explorers and Explorer clones. Since your car is a 2004, the battery is 4-5 years old (near end-of-expected life) if it hasn't been changed already.

I'd expect charging voltage to be more like 13.5V-14.5, I think 15 would be a bit high. But, again, even if the charging system seems to be putting out correct voltage, the battery could still be the issue. If the battery is the original, it wouldn't be like you're wasting money replacing it anyway.

-Rod

[99 Neon R/T]

Actually the battery is only 1 yr old.I will have to check the volts today but dont know how good I can do since now it wont even run when you touch the gas.and the ac compressor wont engage.But absolutely no jumping in the recent past.

[shorod]

When you changed the coils are you absolutely positive you got all the wires back in the correct locations? If you bought OEM coils there will probably be sticker on the coil showing which cylinder should be connected to each tower.

I'd suggest for starters you trace each of the plug wires from the cylinder to the coil and verify they are correct. If nothing else, maybe you'll find a loose connection in the process. Is the coil chassis ground connected to the coil pack assembly?

-Rod

[99 Neon R/T]

ok chased wires probed with a multimeter and nothing.That was till I decided to scan the obd-2 again and there it was. p0606 pcm internal damage or defect according to my little code book.All data says internal communications error in pcm.So first thing tomorrow I am ordering a new cpu and having it flashed.Anyone know if they need the car for this.I think I can give them the vin and let it ride.Anyway I appreciate all of your help and will post again when it is fixed.Thanks

[99 Neon R/T]

ok so I now have a new computer and 600 less in my bank account but the car runs now and above 15 mph.Yay for me.Now I have a new problem.Like I said the car runs fine but the shift points are off and the overdrive will not disengage till you completely let off of the gas.A mechanic friend says it might take a while for the new computer to learn the shift points and slips.Has anyone ever heard of this or should I take it back to the dealer?I just changed the fluid and it was pretty nasty but nothing abnormal for 100,000 miles.No shavings or parts in the pan thank god.

[shorod]

A 2004, yeah the computer will adjust to your driving somewhat, but I wouldn't expect it to not disengage the Torque Converter Clutch. So it won't downshift if you step on the throttle or as you are slowing to a stop, then accelerate before coming to a complete stop?

-Rod

[99 Neon R/T]

It will downshift and everything if you are barely on the gas.If you push it to hurry and go the rpm's peg and the car just dont go.If you are cruising and smash the gas the thing will slow down as the rpms go up.The thing is slipping something fierce.The gas mileage is even suffering at about 18 mpg.So it is looking like the tranny is fried.

[shorod]

Since you recently changed the tranny fluid and I hope filter, check the fluid again with the car hot idling in park. Does the fluid still look new, or is it dark and smell burnt? Is the level where it should be?

-Rod

[99 Neon R/T]

Originally Posted by shorod

Since you recently changed the tranny fluid and I hope filter, check the fluid again with the car hot idling in park. Does the fluid still look new, or is it dark and smell burnt? Is the level where it should be?

-Rod

Yeah I changed the filter.I did check it the other night and the level was fine and the color was fine.The smell was however off.It smelled burnt.My wife said that the other day it ran and shifted better but it was still slipping when taking off.I think I am going to give it a week and change the fluid again and see what happens.Maybe the valve body has some sticky spots from not being maintained regularly.

[99 Neon R/T]

update: The tranny problem wasnt a tranny prob at all.My catalytic converter clogged up when I had the 3 dead cylinders.of course the cat clogged caused the dpfe valve to malfunction and melt.Ha a valve made out of plastic attached to the exhaust....only on a ford.Anyway I gutted the cat only temporary of course aand replaced the valve with an older aluminum one from a 2000 model tortise and so far this car runs better than ever.So thanks for all of your alls help and I know where to go if I ever need help with this thing again.