troubleshooting DODGE NEON 1999 Service Repair Manual

8W-01 GENERAL INFORMATION
INDEX
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
CIRCUIT FUNCTIONS..................... 4
CIRCUIT INFORMATION................... 4
CONNECTOR INFORMATION............... 7
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD)
SENSITIVE DEVICES.................... 8
INTRODUCTION......................... 1
NOTES, CAUTIONS, and WARNINGS......... 7
SECTION IDENTIFICATION................. 5
SPLICE LOCATIONS...................... 7
SYMBOLS.............................. 5
TAKE OUTS............................. 8
TERMINOLOGY.......................... 7
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS.... 9TROUBLESHOOTING TESTS................ 9
TROUBLESHOOTING TOOLS............... 8
TROUBLESHOOTING WIRING PROBLEMS.... 10
SERVICE PROCEDURES
CONNECTOR AND TERMINAL REPLACEMENT . 12
CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT.............. 12
DIODE REPLACEMENT................... 14
TERMINAL REPLACEMENT................ 13
TERMINAL/CONNECTOR REPAIR-MOLEX
CONNECTORS........................ 10
TERMINAL/CONNECTOR REPAIRÐTHOMAS
AND BETTS CONNECTORS.............. 11
WIRING REPAIR........................ 10
SPECIAL TOOLS
WIRING/TERMINAL...................... 15
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
INTRODUCTION
Chrysler wiring diagrams are designed to provide
information regarding the vehicles wiring content. In
order to effectively use Chrysler wiring diagrams to
diagnose and repair a Chrysler vehicle, it is impor-
tant to understand all of their features and charac-
teristics.
Diagrams are arranged such that the power (B+)
side of the circuit is placed near the top of the page,
and the ground (B-) side of the circuit is placed near
the bottom of the page.
All switches, components, and modules are shown
in the at rest position with the doors closed and the
key removed from the ignition.Components are shown two ways. A solid line
around a component indicates that the component is
complete. A dashed line around a component indi-
cates that the component being shown is not com-
plete. Incomplete components have a reference
number to indicate the page where the component is
shown complete.
It is important to realize that no attempt is made
on the diagrams to represent components and wiring
as they appear on the vehicle. For example, a short
piece of wire is treated the same as a long one. In
addition, switches and other components are shown
as simply as possible, with regard to function only.
PL8W - 01 GENERAL INFORMATION 8W - 01 - 1

WARNING: BE SURE THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH
ALWAYS IS IN THE OFF POSITION, UNLESS THE
PROCEDURE REQUIRES IT TO BE ON.
WARNING: SET THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN
WORKING ON ANY VEHICLE. AN AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE IN PARK. A MANUAL
TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE IN NEUTRAL.
WARNING: OPERATE THE ENGINE ONLY IN A
WELL-VENTILATED AREA.
WARNING: KEEP AWAY FROM MOVING PARTS
WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, ESPECIALLY THE
FAN AND BELTS.
WARNING: TO PREVENT SERIOUS BURNS, AVOID
CONTACT WITH HOT PARTS SUCH AS THE RADIA-
TOR, EXHAUST MANIFOLD(S), TAIL PIPE, CATA-
LYTIC CONVERTER, AND MUFFLER.
WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW FLAME OR SPARKS
NEAR THE BATTERY. GASES ARE ALWAYS
PRESENT IN AND AROUND THE BATTERY.
WARNING: ALWAYS REMOVE RINGS, WATCHES,
LOOSE HANGING JEWELRY, AND LOOSE CLOTH-
ING.
TAKE OUTS
The abbreviation T/O is used in the component
location section to indicate a point in which the wir-
ing harness branches out to a component.
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD) SENSITIVE
DEVICES
All ESD sensitive components are solid state and a
symbol (Fig. 4) is used to indicate this. When han-
dling any component with this symbol comply with
the following procedures to reduce the possibility of
electrostatic charge build up on the body and inad-
vertent discharge into the component. If it is not
known whether the part is ESD sensitive, assume
that it is.
(1) Always touch a known good ground before han-
dling the part. This should be repeated while han-
dling the part and more frequently after sliding
across a seat, sitting down from a standing position,
or walking a distance.
(2) Avoid touching electrical terminals of the part,
unless instructed to do so by a written procedure.(3) When using a voltmeter, be sure to connect the
ground lead first.
(4) Do not remove the part from its protective
packing until it is time to install the part.
(5) Before removing the part from its package,
ground the package to a known good ground on the
vehicle.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
TROUBLESHOOTING TOOLS
When diagnosing a problem in an electrical circuit
there are several common tools necessary. These tools
are listed and explained below.
²Jumper Wire - This is a test wire used to con-
nect two points of a circuit. It can be used to bypass
an open in a circuit.
WARNING: NEVER USE A JUMPER WIRE ACROSS
A LOAD, SUCH AS A MOTOR, CONNECTED
BETWEEN A BATTERY FEED AND GROUND.
²Voltmeter - Used to check for voltage on a cir-
cuit. Always connect the black lead to a known good
ground and the red lead to the positive side of the
circuit.
CAUTION: Most of the electrical components used
in today's vehicle are solid state. When checking
voltages in these circuits use a meter with a 10-me-
gohm or greater impedance rating.
²Ohmmeter - Used to check the resistance
between two points of a circuit. Low or no resistance
in a circuit means good continuity.
CAUTION: - Most of the electrical components used
in today's vehicle are Solid State. When checking
resistance in these circuits use a meter with a 10-
megohm or greater impedance rating. In addition,
make sure the power is disconnected from the cir-
cuit. Circuits that are powered up by the vehicle
electrical system can cause damage to the equip-
ment and provide false readings.
Fig. 4 Electrostatic Discharge Symbol
8W - 01 - 8 8W - 01 GENERAL INFORMATIONPL
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

²Probing Tools - These tools are used for probing
terminals in connectors (Fig. 5). Select the proper
size tool from Special Tool Package 6807, and insert
it into the terminal being tested. Use the other end
of the tool to insert the meter probe.
INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS
Most intermittent electrical problems are caused
by faulty electrical connections or wiring. It is also
possible for a sticking component or relay to cause a
problem. Before condemning a component or wiring
assembly check the following items.
²Connectors are fully seated
²Spread terminals, or terminal push out
²Terminals in the wiring assembly are fully
seated into the connector/component and locked in
position
²Dirt or corrosion on the terminals. Any amount
of corrosion or dirt could cause an intermittent prob-
lem
²Damaged connector/component casing exposing
the item to dirt and moisture
²Wire insulation that has rubbed through causing
a short to ground
²Some or all of the wiring strands broken inside
of the insulation covering.
²Wiring broken inside of the insulation
TROUBLESHOOTING TESTS
Before beginning any tests on a vehicles electrical
system use the Wiring Diagrams and study the cir-
cuit. Also refer to the Troubleshooting Wiring Prob-
lems in this section.
TESTING FOR VOLTAGE POTENTIAL
(1) Connect the ground lead of a voltmeter to a
known good ground (Fig. 6).
(2) Connect the other lead of the voltmeter to the
selected test point. The vehicle ignition may need to
be turned ON to check voltage. Refer to the appropri-
ate test procedure.
TESTING FOR CONTINUITY
(1) Remove the fuse for the circuit being checked
or, disconnect the battery.
(2) Connect one lead of the ohmmeter to one side
of the circuit being tested (Fig. 7).
(3) Connect the other lead to the other end of the
circuit being tested. Low or no resistance means good
continuity.
Fig. 5 Probing Tool
Fig. 6 Testing for Voltage Potential
Fig. 7 Testing for Continuity
PL8W - 01 GENERAL INFORMATION 8W - 01 - 9
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

TESTING FOR A SHORT TO GROUND
(1) Remove the fuse and disconnect all items
involved with the fuse.
(2) Connect a test light or a voltmeter across the
terminals of the fuse.
(3) Starting at the fuse block, wiggle the wiring
harness about six to eight inches apart and watch
the voltmeter/test lamp.
(4) If the voltmeter registers voltage or the test
lamp glows, there is a short to ground in that gen-
eral area of the wiring harness.
TESTING FOR A SHORT TO GROUND ON
FUSES POWERING SEVERAL LOADS
(1) Refer to the wiring diagrams and disconnect or
isolate all items on the suspected fused circuits.
(2) Replace the blown fuse.
(3) Supply power to the fuse by turning ON the
ignition switch or re-connecting the battery.
(4) Start connecting the items in the fuse circuit
one at a time. When the fuse blows the circuit with
the short to ground has been isolated.
TESTING FOR A VOLTAGE DROP
(1) Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to
the side of the circuit closest to the battery (Fig. 8).
(2) Connect the other lead of the voltmeter to the
other side of the switch or component.
(3) Operate the item.
(4) The voltmeter will show the difference in volt-
age between the two points.
TROUBLESHOOTING WIRING PROBLEMS
When troubleshooting wiring problems there are
six steps which can aid in the procedure. The steps
are listed and explained below. Always check for non-
factory items added to the vehicle before doing any
diagnosis. If the vehicle is equipped with these items,
disconnect them to verify these add-on items are not
the cause of the problem.
(1) Verify the problem.
(2) Verify any related symptoms. Do this by per-
forming operational checks on components that are
in the same circuit. Refer to the wiring diagrams.
(3) Analyze the symptoms. Use the wiring dia-
grams to determine what the circuit is doing, where
the problem most likely is occurring and where the
diagnosis will continue.
(4) Isolate the problem area.
(5) Repair the problem.
(6) Verify proper operation. For this step check for
proper operation of all items on the repaired circuit.
Refer to the wiring diagrams.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
WIRING REPAIR
When replacing or repairing a wire, it is important
that the correct gage be used as shown in the wiring
diagrams. The wires must also be held securely in
place to prevent damage to the insulation.
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable
(2) Remove 1 inch of insulation from each end of
the wire.
(3) Place a piece of heat shrink tubing over one
side of the wire. Make sure the tubing will be long
enough to cover and seal the entire repair area.
(4) Spread the strands of the wire apart on each
part of the exposed wire (example 1). (Fig. 9)
(5) Push the two ends of wire together until the
strands of wire are close to the insulation (example
2) (Fig. 9)
(6) Twist the wires together (example 3) (Fig. 9)
(7) Solder the connection together using rosin core
type solder only.Do not use acid core solder.
(8) Center the heat shrink tubing over the joint,
and heat using a heat gun. Heat the joint until the
tubing is tightly sealed and sealant comes out of both
ends of the tubing.
(9) Secure the wire to the existing ones to prevent
chafing or damage to the insulation
(10) Connect battery and test all affected systems.
TERMINAL/CONNECTOR REPAIR-MOLEX
CONNECTORS
(1) Disconnect battery.
Fig. 8 Testing for Voltage Drop
8W - 01 - 10 8W - 01 GENERAL INFORMATIONPL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)