My son has an 01 neon that we bought for his first ride. The car was bought new by my sister in-law so we knew the history of the car. He has run the car since October with no issues, then the other day he came out of a parking lot and hopped a curb. The car revved up a bit then died. Now the car will not start. The fuel pump doesn't come on when the key is turned on and the starter will not crank, everything else works lights, fan radio windows ect... There is the red security light on in the instrument cluster and will not go off. I can't get the scanner to pull any codes. I have checked all of the relays and fuses, as well as power at the the power distribution box under the hood, with no power on the fuel pump circuit or the ASD relay. We have checked the clutch safety switch and every thing else we can think of. I have load tested the battery an it is good and has a full charge.

I have seen several post on the web about this very problem but no real clear answers on what causes this or how to reset (if that is the issue) the security system.

Any one out there ever have this happen and have any hint as to what to do?

Thanks in advance.

There is a main wiring harness under the radiator and the ECU is on the driver's side of the radiator. Any chance he mashed the harness?

Check fuses or possible corroded or broken wire.

is the vehicle equipped with VTSS (vehicle theft security system)?

"There is the red security light on in the instrument cluster and will not go off."

This. Anti theft, PASSLOCK whatever ts called is disabling and a nightmare for a DIYr because you must have the proper shop computer to straighten out.

i dont know about the neon but dont some cars have a switch in the trunk that shuts off if there is a violent jolt like in a fender bender?

That would be a Ford thing and not applicable to the Neon.

My wife had an 03 neon that was a really good car. We had zero trouble from it other than one day it wouldn't start. I unhooked the battery for a few minutes then hooked it back up and it fired right up and never gave us anymore trouble. I was told it could have been a security issue with the key that the reset cleared up? I would at least give the battery unhook a try.

yes or no is what I'm looking for.... I certainly read there is a red security light. Guess what I'm fishing for is to whether the car was equipped from the factory with this option. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen the PCM all of a sudden decide it's coded for security and disable the car.

As for a factory security system ... I have no idea... probably.

My sister in law ordered the car new with every option she could get, so it wouldn't surprise me if it does.

I have disconnected the battery, cleaned the terminals, checked the wiring from the ECU down under the radiator as well as any switch, connection from the steering column, transmission, and fuel system all the back to the fuel pump, as well as every terminal position in the power distribution panel both under the hood and in the dash board.

There is no power on the ASD relay and no power on the fuel pump relay.

Called the local dealership and they are more than happy to troubleshoot for $150 an hour. They wouldn't even hint at a possible solution without a credit card up front.

I understand their reluctance to help, but geez not like I'm going to be stealing their business.

Anyway, thanks for all the help, just trying to avoid playing swap-tronics until I may stumble on a cure, and avoid having a repair bill for more than the car is worth.

A friend's '01 RAM did a similar thing, Unhooking the battery did not clear the issue but using the key to unlock the passenger side door cleared the problem. Don't know if it is the same for yours but it is easy enough to try.

I have verified that it does have the factory security system. I have checked every connection from the column to to the ECM, ECM to the underhood power distribution box, to starter, fuel pump, cabin fuse box...I'm flat of ideas!

It still will not power up the fuel pump, or crank, and the red security light is still on strong and steady on the dash.

Try locking and unlocking the drivers door with the key 4or5 times. That might reset the security system.

Sounds like the antitheft syst.is not being turned off,try another key.

Do you have an owners manual? If so read it and see if there is a way to disarm this..

My chev truck had to have the fuel pedal depressed 3 times rapidly to reset things..

When you say you cant pull any codes did the scanner come on and communicate with the eng PCM ? Even if in the theft mode the scanner should still go into the PCM. Also you said it wont crank and I dont think the 2001 Neon theft could control the starter as I dont think the starter circuit was wired through the PCM on that year Neon. In the security theft mode it should still crank and start but then the eng will die right away. Did the scanner go into the PCM and read no codes or did the scanner not communicate with the PCM ? Ron

After rereading your post sounds like you lost power or ground to something PCM or other,possibly just unplugged connector or a control unit got jarred & lost an internal connection, you need a wiring schematic & start checking for power & ground @ various control units/connectors fuel pump ETC ETC,KISS don't get to fair off course,Neons have crappy under hood eng.to body ground straps that rot away & fall apart.

I have a friend who has a dodge that he had extra keys made for it. It ran fine on the way to work but hardly made it home. Did you have new keys made?

Check your grounds. On my daughters first car (99 Neon) the little ground on the radiator support came loose and her car died and wouldn't start.

The scanner is not conneecting with the PCM. Will not read anthying, just shows no vehicle connected.

No new keys.

I have plugged and unplugged every conncetor I can get my hands on.

Checked any ground I can find, and all are clean and tight.

I do know that it has an immobilizer for the key in the column.
Currently we only have one key as the other is MIA.

So I need some education on the immobilizer and how it plays witj rest of the system. According to what I can tell, it does block tje crank function and the fuel pump. If this is true then how does it reset?