2000 DODGE NEON ECU

bolt nut to a torque of 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.). Install
the pinch bolt retainer pin.
(11) Install the upper and lower steering column
shrouds onto the steering column (Fig. 9). Snap the
two shrouds together and then install and tighten
the two screws securing the shrouds to the column.
(12) Install the steering column cover that mounts
below the steering column on the instrument panel
by first aligning the retainer clips and snapping the
cover into place. Install the two screws along the bot-
tom of the steering column cover.
(13) Align the clips along the outer edge of the
instrument cluster bezel with the mounting holes in
the instrument panel and install the bezel.
(14) Align the clips on the bottom of the instru-
ment panel top cover with the mounting holes in the
instrument panel and install the top cover by push-
ing it down into place.
(15) Install the screw securing the left end of the
top cover to the instrument panel.
CAUTION: If there is any question as to whether
the clockspring is in the centered position, the
clock spring needs to be recentered before install-
ing the steering wheel. If the clockspring is not cen-
tered, it may be overextended, causing the
clockspring to become inoperative.
(16) Center the clockspring using the following
procedure:
²Using your fingers, rotate the clockspring rotor
in the CLOCKWISE DIRECTION to the end of the
travel. Do not apply excessive torque.
²From the end of travel, rotate the rotor two full
turns and an additional half turn in the counter-
clockwise direction. (The wires should end up at the
bottom of the clockspring).
CAUTION: Do not install the steering wheel onto
the shaft of the steering column by driving it onto
the shaft.
(17) Feed the clockspring wiring leads through the
hole in the steering wheel (Fig. 6). Align the steering
wheel's wide mounting spline with the steering col-
umn shaft missing spline area and push the wheel
onto the shaft. Make sure the clockspring squares up
with the back of the wheel and does not bind.
(18) Install the steering wheel retaining nut and
tighten it until the steering wheel is fully installed
on shaft. Tighten the steering wheel retaining nut to
a torque of 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(19) Connect the clockspring electrical leads to the
speed control switches and reinstall the switches on
the steering wheel (Fig. 6).
(20) Install the airbag electrical lead from the
clockspring into the connector on the back of the air-bag module (Fig. 6). Be sure electrical connector from
clockspring is securely latched into airbag module
connector.
(21) Connect the horn switch electrical lead to the
connector on the back of the airbag module (Fig. 6).
CAUTION: The fasteners originally used for the air-
bag components are specifically designed for the
airbag system. They must never be replaced with
any substitutes. Anytime a new fastener is needed,
replace it with only the correct fastener listed in the
parts book.
(22) Install the airbag module into the center of
the steering wheel. Align the airbag module mount-
ing holes with the bolt holes in steering wheel (Fig.
6). Install only the two original or identical replace-
ment airbag module mounting screws. Tighten the
two air bag module attaching bolts to a torque of 10
N´m (90 in. lbs.).
(23) Install the airbag mounting screw trim caps
on the steering wheel rear cover (Fig. 7). One belongs
on each side of the steering wheel.
NOTE: When reconnecting the battery on a vehicle
that has had the airbag module removed, the fol-
lowing procedure should be used.
(24) Reconnect the ground cable to the negative
post of the battery in the following manor:
²Connect a scan tool (DRBIIIt) to the data link
diagnostic connector located below the steering col-
umn.
²Turn the ignition key to the ON position. Exit
the vehicle with the scan tool leaving the scan tool
harness plugged in.
²Ensuring that there are no occupants in the
vehicle, connect the ground (-) cable to the negative
post of the battery.
²Using the scan tool, read and record any fault
codes. Refer to the DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR-
BAG SYSTEM diagnostic manual if any faults are
found.
²Erase any stored faults if there are no active
fault codes. If a problem exists, the fault code will
not erase.
²Reach around the back of the steering wheel (in
front of the instrument cluster) and turn the ignition
key to OFF, then back ON while observing the
instrument cluster airbag lamp. It should go on for
six to eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate
that the airbag system is functioning normally. If air-
bag warning lamp fails to light, blinks on and off, or
goes on and stays on, there is an airbag system mal-
function. Refer to the BODY DIAGNOSTIC PROCE-
DURES manual to diagnose the system malfunction.
PLSTEERING 19 - 37
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

NOTE: Before removing the front suspension
crossmember from the vehicle, the location of the
crossmember must be scribed on the body of the
vehicle (Fig. 9). Do this so that the crossmember
can be relocated upon reinstallation against the
body of vehicle in the same location as before
removal. If the front suspension crossmember is
not reinstalled in exactly the same location as
before removal, the preset front wheel alignment
settings (caster and camber) will be lost.
(6) Using an awl, scribe a line (Fig. 25) marking
the location of where the front suspension crossmem-
ber is mounted against the body of the vehicle.(7) Position a transmission jack under the center
of the front suspension crossmember and raise it to
support the bottom of the crossmember.
(8) Loosen and completely remove the two front
bolts (one right and one left) attaching the front sus-
pension crossmember to the frame rails of vehicle.
The right side bolt can be viewed in the mounting
bolt figure (Fig. 24). The left side bolt is located in
the same location on the other side of the vehicle.
(9) Loosen the two rear bolts (one right and one
left) attaching the front suspension crossmember and
lower control arms to the body of the vehicle until
they release from the threaded tapping plates in the
body of the vehicle. Do not completely remove the
rear bolts because they are designed to disengage
from the body threads yet stay within the lower con-
trol arm rear isolator bushing. This allows the lower
control arm to stay in place on the crossmember. The
right side bolt can be viewed in the mounting bolt
figure (Fig. 24). The left side bolt is located in the
same location on the other side of the vehicle.
CAUTION: Lower the steering gear slowly, paying
special attention to the power steering fluid hoses
coming down from the power steering pump. Do
not strain or over extend the hoses coming to the
gear. Damage to the hoses or connecting hardware
could occur.
(10) Lower the front suspension crossmember
using the transmission jack enough to allow suffi-
cient access to the steering column lower coupling
(Fig. 26). When lowering front suspension crossmem-
ber, do not let crossmember hang from lower control
arms or power steering hoses. The weight should be
supported by the transmission jack.
(11) Remove the roll pin securing the steering col-
umn lower coupling to the power steering gear pinion
shaft using a roll pin punch (Fig. 27). Push the steer-
ing column lower coupling up and off of the power
steering gear pinion shaft.
INSTALLATION
(1) Push the column end of the steering column
lower coupling partway up through its hole in the
dash panel, then match the flat on the inside of the
steering column lower coupling to the flat on the
power steering gear pinion shaft and slide the cou-
pling onto the top of the pinion shaft. Align the roll
pin hole in the coupling with the groove in the pinion
shaft and install the roll pin through the coupling
until it is centered (Fig. 27).
(2) Center the power steering gear rack in its
travel.
(3) Using the transmission jack, raise the front
suspension crossmember and power steering gear
until the crossmember contacts its mounting spot
Fig. 24 Mounting Bolts
1 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MOUNTING BOLTS
2 ± ENGINE TORQUE ISOLATOR STRUT MOUNTING BOLT
3 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 25 Marking Crossmember Location
1 ± SCRIBED LINE
2 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
3±AWL
4 ± BODY
PLSTEERING 19 - 39
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

against the body and frame rails of the vehicle. As
the crossmember is raised, carefully guide the steer-
ing column lower coupling up through its hole in the
dash panel.
(4) Start the two rear crossmember mounting bolts
into the tapping plates mounted in the body. The
right side bolt can be viewed in the mounting bolt
figure (Fig. 24). The left side bolt is located in the
same location on the other side of the vehicle. Next,
install the two front mounting bolts attaching front
suspension crossmember to frame rails of vehicle.
Lightly tighten all four mounting bolts to a approxi-mately 2 N´m (20 in. lbs.) to hold the front suspen-
sion crossmember in position.
NOTE: When reinstalling the front suspension
crossmember back in the vehicle, it is very impor-
tant that the crossmember be attached to the body
in exactly the same spot as when it was removed.
Otherwise, the vehicle's wheel alignment settings
(caster and camber) will be lost.
(5) Using a soft face hammer, tap the front suspen-
sion crossmember back-and-forth or side-to-side until
it is aligned with the previously scribed positioning
marks on the body of the vehicle (Fig. 25). Once the
front suspension crossmember is correctly positioned,
tighten the rear two crossmember mounting bolts to
a torque of 203 N´m (150 ft. lbs.), then tighten the
front two crossmember mounting bolts to a torque of
142 N´m (105 ft. lbs.).
(6) Fasten the engine torque strut to the right for-
ward corner of the front suspension crossmember
using its mounting bolt (Fig. 24). Follow the proce-
dure described in the ENGINE service manual group
to properly align and tighten the torque strut mount-
ing bolts.
(7) Reconnect the wiring harness connector to the
power steering fluid pressure switch (Fig. 23). Be
sure the locking tab on the wiring harness connector
is securely latched.
(8) Lower the vehicle to ground level.
(9) Install the dash-to-lower coupling seal in place
over the lower coupling's plastic collar.
NOTE: Verify that grease is present on the lip of
the dash-to-coupling seal where it contacts the cou-
pling's plastic collar.
(10) Inside the passenger compartment, reconnect
the steering column lower coupling to the steering
column upper coupling (Fig. 22). Install the coupling
pinch bolt an tighten the pinch bolt nut to a torque of
28 N´m (250 in. lbs.). Install the pinch bolt retainer
pin.
(11) Remove the steering wheel holder.
(12) While looking under the instrument panel at
the lower coupling, rotate the steering wheel back-
and-forth to verify that the lower coupling does not
squeak against the dash-to-coupling seal.
Fig. 26 Crossmember Lowered
1 ± STEERING COLUMN LOWER COUPLING
2 ± POWER STEERING GEAR
3 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
4 ± TRANSMISSION JACK
Fig. 27 Coupling Roll Pin
1 ± STEERING COLUMN LOWER COUPLING
2 ± POWER STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT
3 ± ROLL PIN
4 ± ROLL PIN PUNCH
19 - 40 STEERINGPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

Remove cable retaining clips and remove cables
from bracket (Fig. 17).
(11) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(12) Remove converter heat shield (Fig. 18).
(13) Remove remaining grommet plate-to-floor pan
screw (Fig. 19).
(14) Remove cable assembly from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Gearshift cable bushings must not be
lubricated or the bushings will swell and split.(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Install cable assembly through floor pan open-
ing and secure to floor pan with grommet plate and
one screw (Fig. 19). Make sure the three grommet
plate studs protrude through cable assembly and
floor pan and tighten screw to 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.).
(3) Route transaxle end of cable assembly into
engine compartment and over transaxle assembly.
(4) Install converter heat shield (Fig. 18).
(5) Lower vehicle.
Fig. 13 Gearshift Boot Removal/Installation
1 ± BOOT
2 ± SHIFTER ASSEMBLY
Fig. 14 Crossover Cable at Shifter Assembly
1 ± GROMMET PLATE NUT
2 ± SHIFTER
3 ± CROSSOVER CABLE
4 ± CLIP
Fig. 15 Selector Cable at Shifter Assembly
1 ± SHIFTER
2 ± CLIP
3 ± SELECTOR CABLE
Fig. 16 Air Cleaner Assembly Removal/Installation
1 ± AIR CLEANER ASSY.
2 ± THROTTLE BODY DUCT
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 7
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(6) Install gearshift cables to mounting bracket
and fasten with NEW clips (Fig. 17). Make sure clips
are installed flush to bracket.
(7) Connect gearshift selector and crossover cable
to shift levers at transaxle (Fig. 17).
(8) Install and tighten the three grommet plate-to-
floor pan nuts to 6 N´m (50 in. lbs.) torque.
(9) Install selector cable to shifter lever and secure
cable to shifter bracket. Install clip (Fig. 15).
(10) Install crossover cable to shifter lever and
secure cable to shifter bracket. Install clip (Fig. 14).NOTE: Only the crossover cable is adjustable. The
selector cable does not have any adjustment capa-
bilities.
(11)Adjust crossover cable as follows:
(a) Loosen adjusting screw on crossover cable at
shifter (Fig. 20).
(b) Pin transaxle crossover lever in 3-4-N posi-
tion using a 1/4 inch drill bit. Align hole in cross-
over lever with the hole in the boss on the
transaxle case (Fig. 21). Be sure drill bit goes into
transaxle case at least one half inch.
(c) The shifter is spring±loaded and self±center-
ing. Allow shifter to rest in its neutral position.
Torque adjustment screw to 8 N´m (70 in. lbs.).
Care must be taken to avoid moving the shift
mechanism off-center during screw tightening.
(d) Remove drill bit from transaxle case and per-
form functional check by shifting transaxle into all
gears.
(12) Install boot to the shifter assembly (Fig. 13).
Fasten boot with the three retainers.
(13) Install center console assembly (Fig. 12). Ver-
ify that boot is not pinched at console opening before
tightening.
(14) Install knob to shifter lever, align knob to
three o'clock position, push knob down to engage
spring and rotate counter clockwise (Fig. 22).
(15) Return shifter boot to its original position
(seated around knob lip).
(16) Install the air cleaner/throttle body assy. (Fig.
16) as follows:
Fig. 17 Shift Cables at Transaxle
1 ± SHIFT CABLES
2 ± CLIPS
3 ± BRACKET
Fig. 18 Converter Heat Shield Removal/Installation
1 ± CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD
Fig. 19 Shift Cable Assembly at Floor Pan
1 ± CABLE ASSEMBLY
2 ± GROMMET PLATE
21 - 8 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(3) Remove the center console assembly as shown
in (Fig. 24).
(4) Separate shifter boot from shifter assembly
(Fig. 25). Boot is retained to shifter by three push-pin
retainers.
(5) Remove crossover cable retaining clip and dis-
connect from shift lever (Fig. 26).
(6) Remove selector cable retaining clip and dis-
connect from shift lever (Fig. 27).
(7) Remove four shifter assy.-to-floor pan nuts and
remove shifter from vehicle (Fig. 28).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install shifter assy. to floor pan (Fig. 28).
Install and tighten four nuts to 12 N´m (105 in. lbs.)
torque.
(2) Install selector cable to shifter lever and secure
cable to shifter bracket. Install clip (Fig. 27).
(3) Install crossover cable to shifter lever and
secure cable to shifter bracket. Install clip (Fig. 26).
(4) Install boot to the shifter assembly (Fig. 25).
Fasten boot with the three retainers.
Fig. 24 Center Console Removal/InstallationÐ
Typical
1 ± CONSOLE
2 ± SCREW (4)
3 ± SCREW (2)
Fig. 25 Gearshift Boot Removal/Installation
1 ± BOOT
2 ± SHIFTER ASSEMBLY
Fig. 26 Crossover Cable at Shifter Assembly
1 ± GROMMET PLATE NUT
2 ± SHIFTER
3 ± CROSSOVER CABLE
4 ± CLIP
Fig. 27 Selector Cable at Shifter Assembly
1 ± SHIFTER
2 ± CLIP
3 ± SELECTOR CABLE
21 - 10 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

TRANSAXLE
REMOVAL
(1) Raise hood.
(2) Disconnect both battery cables, remove battery
hold down clamp and bolt, and remove battery.
(3) Remove air cleaner/throttle body assy. (Fig. 36)
as follows:
(a) Disconnect proportional purge solenoid (PPS)
and crankcase vent hose from throttle body.
(b) Disconnect the Throttle Position Sensor
(TPS) and Idle Air Control (IAC) connectors.
(c) Disconnect throttle body air duct at intake
manifold.
(d) Remove mounting bolt and nut (Fig. 36) and
partially remove air cleaner assembly.
(e)
Disconnect accelerator and speed control (if
equipped) cables after the assy. is removed from
position. Remove air cleaner assembly from vehicle.
(4) Remove battery tray from bracket.
(5) Disconnect ground cable at battery tray
bracket.
(6) Disconnect back-up lamp switch connector.
(7) Remove bellhousing cap (Fig. 37).
(8) Disconnect clutch cable from fork and remove
from transaxle (Fig. 37).(9) Remove shift cable-to-bracket clips (Fig. 38).
(10) Disconnect shift selector and crossover cable
from levers (Fig. 38). Remove cables and secure out
of the way.
Fig. 36 Air Cleaner Assembly Removal/Installation
1 ± AIR CLEANER ASSY.
2 ± THROTTLE BODY DUCT
Fig. 37 Clutch Cable at Transaxle
1 ± CLUTCH CABLE
2 ± TRANSAXLE
3 ± BELLHOUSING CAP
Fig. 38 Shift Cables at Transaxle
1 ± SHIFT CABLES
2 ± CLIPS
3 ± BRACKET
21 - 14 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(23) Carefully lower engine and transaxle on screw
jack until proper removal clearance is obtained.
(24) Obtain a helper to assist in holding transaxle
while removing transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts
(Fig. 44).(25) Remove transaxle from vehicle (Fig. 44).
(26) If installing a new or replacement transaxle,
remove the upper mount as shown in (Fig. 45), trans-
fer to the replacement unit and torque all bolts to 68
N´m (50 ft. lbs.) torque.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install clutch module onto input shaft. Install
transaxle into position.
(2) Install transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts (Fig.
44) and tighten to 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Raise engine and transaxle with screw jack
until through hole in upper mount aligns with hole
in mount bracket. Install mount bolt and tighten to
108 N´m (80 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 43).
(4) Remove screwjack.
(5) Install drive plate-to-clutch module bolts and
torque to 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.) torque.
(6) Install starter motor and tighten bolts to 54
N´m (40 ft. lbs.) torque. Make sure to fasten ground
cable to upper starter bolt as shown in (Fig. 42).
(7) Connect starter electrical harness and tighten
positive cable nut to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.) torque.
(8) Install bellhousing dust cover (Fig. 40).
(9) Install left engine-to-transaxle bending brace
(Fig. 40).
(10) Install structural collar (Fig. 40) as follows:
(a) Position collar and install all bolts finger
tight.
(b) Tighten the collar-to-oil pan bolts to 3 N´m
(30 in. lbs.) torque.
(c) Tighten the collar-to-transaxle bolts to 108
N´m (80 ft. lbs.) torque.
(d) Final torque the collar-to-oil pan bolts to 54
N´m (40 ft. lbs.) torque.
(11) Install the right lateral bending brace and
tighten bolts to 81 N´m (60 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 41).
(12) Install both front axle driveshafts. Refer to
Group 3, Differential and Driveline for the correct
procedures.
(13) Fill transaxle with suitable amount of Mopart
Manual Transaxle Lubricant (PN 04874465).
(14) Lower vehicle.
(15) Connect vehicle speed sensor connector (Fig.
39).
(16) Connect shift crossover and selector cables to
shift lever. Install cables to bracket and install
retaining clips (Fig. 38).
(17) Connect clutch cable to fork and secure to
transaxle (Fig. 37).
(18) Install bellhousing cap (Fig. 37).
(19) Connect back-up lamp switch connector.
(20) Connect ground strap to transaxle upper
mount bracket.
(21) Install battery lower tray and battery, and
tighten battery hold down clamp to secure battery.
Fig. 42 Starter Motor Removal/InstallationÐTypical
1 ± BOLT
2 ± GROUND
3±STARTER
4 ± BOLT
Fig. 43 Transaxle Upper Mount Thru-BoltÐTypical
1 ± MOUNT BRACKET
2 ± BOLT
3 ± MOUNT
21 - 16 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)