(03-23-2015, 09:59 PM)roger_smith Wrote: Taking material off the pistons would decrease compression. Did you mean cylinder heads?

(03-23-2015, 09:26 PM)1x1x1x1 Wrote: Heard transmissions on dodges were fucking terrible :/

(03-24-2015, 02:42 AM)roger_smith Wrote: Your 03 Neon has probably either the 40TE or the 41TE transmission in it. The 41TE is the same trans that my caravan has. The 40TE is a lighter duty version of the 41TE. They aren't terrible transmissions and have been around for a long time. The first one in my Caravan suffered from catastrophic failure when it ejected the pin that keeps the spider gears together in the final drive through the case. They've since updated the design on the transmission to prevent that from happening.

Keep up on the maintenance for that trans and don't rag it too much and it should last you a while. Mine has about 100k on it currently after being replaced. I've heard of others going a lot longer with proper care. Many issues with these transmissions falls back on the solenoid pack getting pissy and breaking. The solenoid pack is what controls all your shifts so if it acts up, the trans won't shift right and may end up falling into what's called limp mode; this restricts you to second gear only so you can limp your way to a shop.

I'd consider a Neon as a commuter if it were a 5 speed manual, lol.

(03-24-2015, 04:53 AM)Fire Wrote: Shift solenoid ain't no biggy. And its got a 41TE in it, and It would of been recalled I assume? anyways my car has zero recalls on it according to dodge and the vin lookup.

My SXT is one of the higher up models there is a lower end model of the SXT which probably has the 40TE

My insurance even raised the price because its a "Sport sedan"

(03-24-2015, 03:10 PM)roger_smith Wrote: The solenoid pack runs about $100-$150. Again, if your car is working fine you obviously don't need one. It's just one of the pattern failures seen with the 41TE.

As far as there being a recall on it, no. Recalls are only typically issued for things that are safety concerns. Just because something is a pattern failure, doesn't mean they'll recall it. They might issue a TSB for it, but that doesn't do anything to help the end user as far as cost of repair; that's for the technician to be able to fix the problem faster and become familiar with common issues.

Did you request your build sheet from dodge yet? That's always informative and interesting. You can send them your VIN and they'll email you the sheet in a day or so.

(03-24-2015, 06:16 PM)Fire Wrote: The solenoid is an easy fix to me, maybe not to other people but I can get it for around $80 if needed hell I can even go the dumber route and buy a used one for $30.

And no I have not, don't really see the need to but I might just to see if anything interesting catches my eyes.

(03-27-2015, 12:49 AM)sys Wrote: You are lucky asf I can't even get a car.

(03-25-2015, 03:35 AM)roger_smith Wrote: buying a used solenoid pack would be silly. It's kind of a moot point anyway since you don't need one.