2002 neon turns over wont start

Possible coolant temperature sensor. It relays info to PCM which in turn regulates fuel needed for different engine temperatures. If sensor is faulty, it may be telling PCM that engine is already warm, when it's actually cold and needs a richer fuel mixture.

Most likely starter motor sticking

Double check that you didn't unplug something in the mount change or a ground wire left off a bolt on the mount.

With this new ethanol gas out now, folks may have to use ether again in cold weather. Good luck finding the air intake.

Try spraying some ether into the air intake, then try to start. If it starts then dies, it is running off the ether and you have a fuel delivery problem. If the vehicle still won't start after trying a couple of times with ether, you are most likely having an ignition related problem.
Let us know what you find. Good luck.

First off, ether is not the way to go at all! You'll end up messing up the piston rings with continuous use. Also with using ether engines tend to get "addicted" to it (its the only way they will start after some time as the rings get burnt and compression under normal cranking isnt enough)

The fact you can start the engine on ether means fuel prob isnt the problem. I would have said the problem was probably your pre-heating system and to check your plugs, wiring and fuses for the pre-heating system but the fact hot start doesnt work either doesnt make sense.

How long have you been using ether? If it has been for an extended period then I have a feeling the piston rings might be shot and full compression cant be reached during cranking and the ether just kickstarts your engine into starting. Any smoke out the tailpipe?

I would still check the glow plugs.

Hope this helps in some way

There are two areas to check for this problem. The fuel and the spark. There is a Timer for your Glowplugs and you should hear clicking and notice the lights dimming in Synch with the clicking. This should work with your "Start" lamp in the dash.

Test one or two Glowplug wires with a Testlight and see what kind of Spark you have. If the spark is present you need to pull about half of your Glowplugs, if not all, and Test them with Battery voltage. They should be uniform in glowing and be careful not to melt them. Any Glowplug that remains cold or sluggish should be replaced. If no Spark, then check the Timer or replace it. Some models may have a Relay, check with Autozone or Oreillys or similar for parts listing.

The Glowplugs start a cold engine. In a warm engine, the Timer will not engage at a certain temperature. Engine compression will ignite the Ether if the Glowplugs do not work, but compression will not ignite a cold diesel engine.

Fuel, if you have a bleeddown in the fuel system the pump may be weak or there is a hole in the line or bad "O" rings. The Ether simply gets the engine turning fast enough to siphon the fuel and draw it back to the pump. A shop can pressure check the fuel system for leaks or use a "smoker machine" for difficult to find leaks.

I hope this helps and you are happy with the info I provided.

The best is to turn the key on to the run position for a few seconds then back off then back to run and then start. This cycles the fuel pump and sends a good supply of fuel up to the injectors. Also do not rev the engine excessively until it has warmed up to allow oil to flow good.
Good luck, dont forget to rate.

The newer Cars have a start relay (not the starter solenoid) it is usually in the engine compartment @ the firewall or wheelwell. It will be grouped with some other relays & possibly some fuses.

Hey, make sure your not giving it all that gas when your trying to start it...( holding it to the floor). Neons have a fuel safety switch so u dont mess the car up starting it. neons are all fuel injected, it will start in - 100 haha. send me some more info on what its doing exactly..