2000 DODGE NEON starter

INSTALLATION
(1) Install cable assembly through floor pan open-
ing and secure to floor pan with grommet plate and
one screw (Fig. 16). Make sure the three grommet
plate studs protrude through cable assembly and
floor pan and tighten screw to 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.).
(2) Route transaxle end of cable assembly into
engine compartment and over transaxle assembly.
(3) Install and tighten intermediate pipe heat
shield front screws.
(4) Install catalytic converter heat shield (Fig. 15).
(5) Install gear shift cable to bracket and connect
to shift lever (Fig. 14).
(6) Install and tighten the three grommet plate-to-
floor pan nuts. Tighten to 6 N´m (50 in. lbs.) torque.
(7) Connect gearshift cable to shifter assembly as
shown in (Fig. 12).
(8) Install shifter bezel (Fig. 11).
(9)Adjust gearshift cable as follows:
(a) Place gearshift lever in the PARK (P) posi-
tion.
(b) Loosen shift cable adjustment screw (Fig.
17).
(c) Verify transaxle is in the PARK (P) position
and the shifter lever is in gated PARK..
(d) Tighten shift cable adjustment screw to 8
N´m (70 in. lbs.) torque.
(10) Install battery tray.
(11) Install battery and hold down clamp.
(12) Install the air cleaner/throttle body assy. (Fig.
13) as follows:(a) Connect the accelerator and speed control (if
equipped) cables to the air cleaner/throttle body
assy.
(b) Install assy into position, making sure the
air cleaner locating slot is engaged to the battery
bracket tab, and tighten fasteners to 14 N´m (120
in. lbs.) torque.
(c) Verify throttle body duct is fully seated to
intake manifold and tighten clamp to 5 N´m (40 in.
lbs.) torque.
(d) Connect the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
and Idle Air Control (IAC) connectors.
(e) Connect proportional purge solenoid (PPS)
and crankcase vent hose from throttle body.
(13) Install center console assembly (Fig. 10).
(14) Install gearshift knob and tighten set screw to
2 N´m (15 in. lbs.) torque (Fig. 9).
(15) Connect battery cables.
(16) Verify that engine starter operates in both
PARK (P) and NEUTRAL (N). Starter should not
operate in any other gear position.
Fig. 16 Grommet Plate/Shift Cable at Floor Pan
1 ± GROMMET PLATE
2 ± SHIFT CABLE
Fig. 17 Gearshift Cable Adjustment Screw
1 ± GEARSHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT SCREW
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 75
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

PARK/NEUTRAL STARTING AND BACK-UP
LAMP SWITCH
TEST
The park/neutral starting switch is the center ter-
minal of the three terminal switch. It provides
ground for the starter solenoid circuit through the
selector lever in PARK and NEUTRAL positions only.
(1) To test switch, remove wiring connector from
switch and test for continuity between center pin of
switch and transaxle case. Continuity should exist
only when transaxle is in PARK or NEUTRAL.
(2) Check gearshift cable adjustment before replac-
ing a switch that tests bad.
REMOVAL
(1) Unscrew switch from transaxle case allowing
fluid to drain into a container. Move selector lever to
PARK, then to NEUTRAL position, and inspect to see
the switch operating lever fingers are centered in
switch opening.
INSTALLATION
(1) Screw the switch with a new seal into tran-
saxle case and tighten to 33 N´m (24 ft. lbs.). Retest
switch with the test lamp.
(2) Add fluid to transaxle to bring up to proper
level.
(3) The back-up lamp switch circuit is through the
two outside terminals of the three terminal switch.
(4) To test switch, remove wiring connector from
switch and test for continuity between the two out-
side pins.
(5) Continuity should exist only with transaxle in
REVERSE position.
(6) No continuity should exist from either pin to
the case.
TRANSAXLE AND TORQUE CONVERTER
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. 45)
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) Remove mounting bolt and nut (Fig. 45) and
partially remove air cleaner assembly.
(d) Disconnect accelerator, transaxle kickdown,
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 torque converter clutch solenoid and
neutral safety/back-up lamp switch connectors.
(6) Disconnect and plug transaxle oil cooler lines
(Fig. 46).
(7) Disconnect shifter cable from shift lever and
remove from bracket (Fig. 47). Secure cable out of the
way.
Fig. 45 Air Cleaner Assembly Removal/Installation
1 ± AIR CLEANER ASSY.
2 ± THROTTLE BODY DUCT
Fig. 46 Transaxle Oil Cooler Lines
1 ± RETURN
2 ± CLAMPS
3 ± PRESSURE
21 - 84 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(14) Remove structural collar (Fig. 51).
(15) Remove the left engine-to-transaxle lateral
bending brace (Fig. 51).
(16) Remove bellhousing dust cover (Fig. 51).
(17) Remove starter motor (Fig. 52).
(18) Remove drive plate to converter bolts (Fig.
54).
(19) Support engine at oil pan with screw jack and
wood block.
(20) Remove transaxle upper mount thru-bolt.
Gain access to this bolt through the driver's side
wheel house (Fig. 53).
(21) Carefully lower engine and transaxle on screw
jack until proper removal clearance is obtained.
(22) Obtain a helper to assist in holding transaxle
while removing transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts
(Fig. 54).
(23) Remove transaxle from vehicle (Fig. 54).
(24) Remove torque converter from front pump.
(25) If installing a new or replacement transaxle,
remove the upper mount and bracket as shown in
(Fig. 55), and transfer to the replacement unit and
torque all bolts to 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.) torque.
Fig. 51 Left Lateral Bending Brace and Structural
Collar
1 ± LATERAL BENDING BRACE
2 ± STRUCTURAL COLLAR
3 ± DUST COVER
Fig. 52 Starter Motor Removal/Installation
1 ± BOLT
2 ± GROUND
3±STARTER
4 ± BOLT
Fig. 53 Transaxle Upper Mount and Bracket
1 ± MOUNT BRACKET
2 ± BOLT
3 ± MOUNT
21 - 86 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Install torque converter into front pump.
Rotate converter until the hub fully engages front
pump gear lugs.
(2) Install transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts (Fig.
54) 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. 53).
(4) Remove screwjack.
(5) Install converter-to-drive plate 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. 52).
(7) Connect starter electrical harness and tighten
positive cable nut to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.) torque.
(8) Install bellhousing dust cover (Fig. 51).
(9) Install left engine-to-transaxle bending brace
(Fig. 51).
(10) Install structural collar (Fig. 51) 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.
Fig. 54 Transaxle Removal/Installation
1 ± CLIP
2 ± BOLT (3)3 ± TRANSAXLE
4 ± CONVERTER BOLT (4)
Fig. 55 Transaxle Upper Mount and Bracket
1 ± MOUNT
2 ± TRANSAXLE
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 87
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

CLEANING AND INSPECTION
VALVE BODY
Allow all parts to soak a few minutes in a suitable
clean solvent. Wash thoroughly and blow dry with
compressed air. Be sure all passages are clean and
free from obstructions.
Inspect manual and throttle valve operating levers
and shafts for being bent, worn or loose. If a lever is
loose on its shaft, it should be replaced. Do not
attempt to straighten bent levers.
Inspect all mating surfaces for burrs, nicks and
scratches. Minor blemishes may be removed with cro-
cus cloth, using only a very light pressure. Using a
straightedge, inspect all mating surfaces for warpage
or distortion. Slight distortion may be corrected,
using a surface plate. Be sure all metering holes in
steel plate are open. Using a penlight, inspect bores
in valve body for scores, scratches, pits, and irregu-
larities.
Inspect all valve springs for distortion and col-
lapsed coils. Inspect all valves and plugs for burrs,
nicks, and scores. Small nicks and scores may be
removed with crocus cloth, providing extreme care is
taken not to round off sharp edges. The sharpness of
these edges is vitally important. It prevents foreign
matter from lodging between valve and valve body.
This reduces the possibility of sticking. Inspect all
valves and plugs for freedom of operation in valve
body bores.
When bores, valves, and plugs are clean and dry,
the valves and plugs should fall freely in the bores.
The valve body bores do not change their dimensions
with use. Therefore, a valve body that was function-
ing properly when vehicle was new, will operate cor-
rectly if it is properly and thoroughly cleaned. There
is no need to replace a valve body unless it is dam-
aged in handling.
ADJUSTMENTS
GEARSHIFT CABLE
Normal operation of the Park/Neutral Position
Switch provides a quick check to confirm proper link-
age adjustment. The engine starter should only oper-
ate when the transaxle shift lever is in the PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) positions.
If the engine starts in any other gear position, or
the vehicle rolls when the shifter is in gated PARK
(P), a gearshift cable adjustment is necessary.
ADJUSTMENT
(1) Loosen set screw and remove knob from shifter
handle (Fig. 214).(2) Remove the center console assembly as shown
in (Fig. 215).
(3)Adjust gearshift cable as follows:
(a) Place gearshift lever in the PARK (P) posi-
tion.
(b) Loosen shift cable adjustment screw (Fig.
216).
(c) Move transaxle manual lever to the PARK.
Verify transaxle is in PARK by attempting to roll
vehicle in either direction.
Fig. 214 Gearshift Knob Removal/Installation
1 ± SHIFTER KNOB
2 ± SET SCREW
Fig. 215 Center Console Removal/Installation
1 ± CONSOLE
2 ± SCREW (4)
3 ± SCREW (2)
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 135

DESCRIPTION TORQUE
Reverse Band Shaft Plug...... 7N´m(60in.lbs.)
Ring Gear Screw............ 95N´m(70ft.lbs.)
Speedo. To Ext. Hous. Screw . . . 7 N´m (60 in. lbs.)
Sprag Ret. To Transfer Case
Bolt................... 28N´m(250 in. lbs.)
Starter To Trans. Bell Bolts . . . 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.)
Stirrup Strap Ret. Bolts..... 23N´m(200 in. lbs.)
Trans. To Cyl. Block Bolt...... 95N´m(70ft.lbs.)
Transfer Shaft Nut........ 271N´m(200 ft. lbs.)
Transfer Gear Strap Bolts..... 23N´m(17ft.lbs.)
Valve Body Assy. To Case
Bolts.................. 12N´m(105 in. lbs.)
Valve Body Screw............ 5N´m(45in.lbs.)
SPECIAL TOOLS
31TH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Puller Press Extension C-293-3
Adapter Blocks C-293±36
Adapter Blocks C-293±52
Puller Press C-293±PA
Slide Hammer C-637
Pressure Gauge (Low) C-3292
Pressure Gauge (High) C-3293SP
Dial Indicator C-3339
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 151
SPECIFICATIONS (Continued)

Gear Checking Plate L-4432
Gear Removing Plate L-4434
Bearing Puller L-4435
Differential Tool L-4436A
Housing Remover Adapter L-4437
Starter Nut L-4439
Transfer Shaft Remover-Installer L-4512
Bearing Cup Remover L-4517
Special Jaw Set L-4518
Installer L-4520
21 - 154 TRANSAXLEPL
SPECIAL TOOLS (Continued)

(M) Check Engine Lamp (MIL) will illuminate during engine operation if this Diagnostic Trouble Code was recorded.
P0134 (M) 1/1 O2 Sensor Stays at Center Neither rich or lean condition is detected from the
oxygen sensor input.
P0135 (M) 1/1 O2 Sensor Heater Failure Oxygen sensor heater element malfunction.
P0136 1/2 O2 Sensor Heater Relay Circuit An open or shorted condition detected in the ASD or
CNG shutoff relay control ckt.
P0137 (M) 1/2 O2 Sensor Shorted To Ground Oxygen sensor input voltage maintained below normal
operating range.
P0138 (M) 1/2 O2 Sensor Shorted To Voltage Oxygen sensor input voltage maintained above normal
operating range.
P0139 (M) 1/2 O2 Sensor Slow Response Oxygen sensor response not as expected.
P0140 (M) 1/2 O2 Sensor Stays at Center Neither rich or lean condition is detected from the
oxygen sensor.
P0141 (M) 1/2 O2 Sensor Heater Failure Oxygen sensor heater element malfunction.
P0143 1/3 O2 Sensor Shorted To Ground Oxygen sensor input voltage maintained below normal
operating range.
P0144 1/3 O2 Sensor Shorted To Voltage Oxygen sensor input voltage maintained above normal
operating range.
P0145 1/3 O2 Sensor Slow Response Oxygen sensor response slower than minimum required
switching frequency.
P0146 1/3 O2 Sensor Stays at Center Neither rich or lean condition is detected from the
oxygen sensor.
P0147 1/3 O2 Sensor Heater Failure Oxygen sensor heater element malfunction.
P0151 (M) 2/1 O2 Sensor Shorted To Ground Oxygen sensor input voltage maintained below normal
operating range.
P0152 (M) 2/1 O2 Sensor Shorted To Voltage Oxygen sensor input voltage sustained above normal
operating range.
P0153 (M) 2/1 O2 Sensor Slow Response Oxygen sensor response slower than minimum required
switching frequency.
P0154 (M) 2/1 O2 Sensor Stays at Center Neither rich or lean condition is detected from the
oxygen sensor.
P0155 (M) 2/1 O2 Sensor Heater Failure Oxygen sensor heater element malfunction.
P0157 (M) 2/2 O2 Sensor Shorted To Ground Oxygen sensor input voltage maintained below normal
operating range.
P0158 (M) 2/2 O2 Sensor Shorted To Voltage Oxygen sensor input voltage maintained above normal
operating range.
P0159 2/2 O2 Sensor Slow Response Oxygen sensor response slower than minimum required
switching frequency.
P0160 (M) 2/2 O2 Sensor Stays at Center Neither rich or lean condition is detected from the
oxygen sensor.
P0161 (M) 2/2 O2 Sensor Heater Failure Oxygen sensor heater element malfunction.
P0165 Starter Relay Control Circuit An open or shorted condition detected in the starter
relay control circuit.
P0171 (M) 1/1 Fuel System Lean A lean air/fuel mixture has been indicated by an
abnormally rich correction factor.
P0172 (M) 1/1 Fuel System Rich A rich air/fuel mixture has been indicated by an
abnormally lean correction factor.
PLEMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS 25 - 7
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)