The Neon, a compact front-wheel drive passenger car, was manufactured by Chrysler from 1994 to 2005. The Neon uses a small electric motor to start the car. A small metal gear attached to the starter motor engages the steering wheel (in manual transmissions) or the flex plate (automatic transmission). When the ignition key is activated, this device turns the crankshaft, which in turn starts the engine. Over time, the starter motor can wear out and must be replaced.
Removing the battery box
Lift the front of your Neon with the floor jack, and attach jack stands.
Disconnect the ground cable from the negative terminal of the battery using a wrench to loosen the nut that holds it to the terminal. Pull it off the terminal.
Disconnect the positive cable from the terminal.
Using a wrench and a pipe, remove the screw that holds the battery in place in the battery bay. Remove the battery clamp.
Remove the battery from the vehicle by pulling it out of the vehicle.
Use a socket wrench to remove the eight screws holding the battery box in place. Remove the battery box.
Removing the fan assembly.
Use a phillips screwdriver to loosen the two clamps holding the upper radiator hose to the engine and radiator.
Remove the upper radiator hose by pulling it off the engine and transmission.
Use a socket wrench to remove the four screws on the top of the radiator that hold the radiator fan assembly.
Disconnect the electrical connectors from the fans. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to pry the retaining clips off the connectors, then pull the electrical connectors away from the fans.
Remove the fan assembly from the vehicle.
Removing the Starter
Remove the two wires connected to the starter. The first one has a plastic connector that you can simply pull out. The other cable is held in place by a nut. Use a wrench to remove it.
With a ratchet, remove the two nuts that connect the starter to the engine.
Remove the starter from the Neon.
installing a new starter
Place the new starter in position.
Replace the screws that connect the starter to the engine block.
Reconnect the two wires to the starter solenoid.
Reinstalling the fan assembly
Place the fan assembly back in place against the radiator.
Reconnect the fan electrical connectors by sliding them back into place.
Reinstall the four nuts securing the fan assembly along the radiator.
Reattach the upper radiator hose, sliding the edges of the tube into their adapters on the engine and radiator. Then use a phillips screwdriver to tighten the hose clamps.
Fitting the battery
Put the battery tray in place, and insert the eight screws that secure it. Put the battery in place in the battery tray.
Put the battery retaining band in place.
Reconnect the positive battery cable to the battery, slide the clamp over the positive terminal, and tighten the set screw with a wrench. Reconnect the ground cable.
Lower the car.
Tips
Be especially careful when removing and installing the starter bolts. Neon uses an aluminum engine block, and the threads on the block can be easily stripped.
Warnings
Always follow the instructions in the owner’s manual when raising and lowering a vehicle. Failure to do so could result in injury or death.