How To Test a Dodge Neon MAP Sensor

The Neon MAP Sensor is mounted to your intake manifold in your 2.0 liter Dodge engine. This sensor plays a huge part in determining engine load by reading the air pressure in your intake manifold. When this manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor goes bad, your Dodge engine computer won’t know how to properly adjust the fuel trims in your car.

When this happens you’ll see a variety of problems with your 2.0 liter Dodge Neon. The Neon MAP Sensor is a three pin unit that connects to your engine harness. Today I will be showing you how to test a Dodge Neon MAP Sensor in a 2000 non-turbo Neon with a 2.0 liter 420A engine in it.

To complete this Neon manifold pressure sensor testing tutorial, you’ll need a digital multimeter. The multimeter is a device that allows you to measure the voltage the wires at your engine harness.

Symptoms of a failed Neon MAP Sensor

When your Dodge Neon engine computer cannot read the pressure in your intake manifold, it could mean a failure in your MAP sensor. The manifold absolute pressure sensor is mounted to the front of your engine, and secured to the intake manifold by two bolts.

• Engine hesitation
• Bad gas mileage
• Lack of horsepower
• engine detonation or “pinging”
• Check Engine Light ON

Because the 2.0 liter engine in your 2000 Dodge Neon is an exhaust rearward facing motor, you’ll find the MAP sensor up front. If you suspect your Neon of having a MAP sensor error, you can use a data scanner to retrieve your OBDII trouble code.

Testing your Dodge Neon MAP Sensor for Power

You must use your digital multimeter to check for power at the sensor. Turn your ignition to the “ON” position so that your engine sensors are powered up. Unplug the three pin unit and gently probe the front of PIN B as shown in our Neon MAP Sensor wiring diagram.

Now if you have power at this wire, you can move onto the ground wire. This is the low reference wire at PIN A, and if you confirm a ground signal there you now know that you have power and ground at your MAP sensor.

Using a Vacuum gauge to test for signal

Now that you know you have power and ground, the next order of business is to remove your MAP sensor. Remove the bolts that hold the sensor to your intake manifold, and remove the sensor completely. Now reconnect the engine harness and you’ll be measuring the BACK of PIN C. The wire coming out of PIN C is the Neon MAP Sensor signal, and you can also pierce the wire with your multimeter probe.

You will use a vacuum hand pump like a Mighty Vac or similar device to test your MAP sensor from this point. Connect the vacuum hand pump to your Neon MAP Sensor inlet, and gently apply vacuum while reading the signal voltage at PIN C.

0 in. Hg …… 4.7 Volts.
5 in. Hg …… 3.9 Volts.
10 in. Hg …. 3.0 Volts.
15 in. Hg …. 1.1 Volts.

Your MAP sensor works on a 0-5 volt range, unlike the turbocharged Dodge NEON SRT-4 MAP sensor. If your Dodge Neon MAP Sensor doesn’t return these values, it’s time for a Neon replacement sensor. Have any questions about our guide? Leave us a comment below and let us know.