Car question...?

Question

My car exhibits the following symptoms (I need ideas about what possible things could be wrong and possible cost to fix):

*Heat doesn't work well/at all
*Gauges sometimes don't work (Gas, spedometer, temperature) and sometimes it is just the spedometer.
*If I rev the car to speed up or use the heat the spedometer almost always dies on me
*The ding that goes off when the door is open with the keys in/light on doesn't work most the time either

HELP!

Are these just sensor problems or what?

Also, what would it be to fix?

TY

It's a 98 Dodge Neon.

In good order except that and can't afford a new car at the moment.

Answer 1

You didn't state what type of car and what year. It sounds like there's a combination of problems which are unrelated. Electrical and possible thermostat.
Or it could be an old volkswagon beetle where the only heat is that opening that sets your foot on fire whilst the rest of you freezes.
You will need to find a reputable mechanic for a quote. Ask for referrals in your area.
What you've described doesn't sound too over the top but it's best to get some info from those you trust.
Good luck

Answer 2

lets c.

*Heat doesn't work well/at all
check your antifreeze level and thermostat. the heat dosent work if its to low

*Gauges sometimes don't work (Gas, spedometer, temperature) and sometimes it is just the spedometer.
the soildered points on the back of the cluster are bad. you either have to resoiler them or you can just get a cluster from the junkyard that should work

*If I rev the car to speed up or use the heat the spedometer almost always dies on me
again check cluster or resoider

*The ding that goes off when the door is open with the keys in/light on doesn't work most the time either
try some wd-40 on it to losten it up some otherwise just easily get a new one or from junkyard, simple fix

Answer 3

The heat problem could be the heater core or the control valve usually found under the hood. As far as the dash problems, I'm not sure what kind of vehicle it is but, many have contacts behind the dash that could be corroded. This may require removing the dash cluster and checking connections. Your other electrical problems could be a seperate issue. There are sites online that you can go to and ask a ceritfied mechanic these questions. Good luck

Answer 4

check the 5amp fuse under the dash. It sounds like it's blown and another circuit is back feeding through it. If the fuse is not blown, then you possibly have an instrument cluster problem or a ground problem to the instrument cluster. all the circuits you describe are all powered by the same circuit.
Out of my experience, I'm almost sure that your gonna have to replace the instrument cluster! Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Probably a sensor of some sort. Find out where the sensor is and put it in yourself. Cost around $30 for u to fix, or $130 for someone else.

Answer 6

don't know or care about the ding. i wish mine would go on the fritz.
gage becoming intermittent means a wire, possibly the ground for all gages, has a bad connection.
the heat could be a few things. if you have good antifreeze/fluid level, the lines to the heater core may have collapsed, or your "heat" door in your heat duct may not be opening completely.

Answer 7

I would have your car's computer checked because it seems that it might be an electrical problem. It could be something simple like blown fuses or a wiring problem, but it may be a little more complicated like the computer. Have this checked out, but first have a look at the fuse box.

Answer 8

with the details you,ve given it sounds like the solanoid is worn and needs replacing this is cheap to replace.
with a worn solanoid when the gas pedal is pressed the car cant cope with the amount of electric going through it so cuts out. this also causes problems with the rest of your electrics.

so i would recommend you get this checked once replaced it will feel like a new car again.

let me know if this works.

Answer 9

Your auto electrics are shot my friend; would be cheaper to bury it somewhere high and dry in the desert, then sell it in 20 years time for the panels.

Answer 10

You have a short in your wire harness somewhere. Look for wires that have rubbed there insulation off and are touching. Your speedometer plugs into the transmition I would start there.