My sons 99 Neon recently quit running. He said it started but when he put it in drive to pull away, it went backwards then died. Then nothing, the starter wouldnt crank at all. I replaced the starter and upgraded his battery for winter and all seemed fine. Now, two weeks later, the same problem. The first time he told me the car "went backwards in drive" I assumed it was just because he parks on the street with a gentle downgrade behind him. But this time I checked, and it wont roll backwards even in neutral. Is the engine somehow running backwards when it starts up? (didnt think that was possible with a four-cycle) If so, why would that kill the starter? The first one tested bad, havent taken the two-week old starter back yet. BTW- I put the car in drive with the key "on" and the reverse lights are coming on- in drive??? Totally confused.

That's certainly worth a look, but doesn't explain it dying, which it never does. Two weeks ago it was the exact same scenario and a new starter fixed him right up. I will check that cable, though. Thanks. That's certainly worth a look, but doesn't explain it dying, which it never does. Two weeks ago it was the exact same scenario and a new starter fixed him right up. I will check that cable, though. Thanks.

Michael, you nailed that almost dead-on. The cable didnt break, but whatever holds it down to the lever on the transaxle apparently left the vehicle at some point. The cable had jumped off its post, while the car was in reverse. I tapped a washer cap onto the post, problem solved. Thanks! Michael, you nailed that almost dead-on. The cable didnt break, but whatever holds it down to the lever on the transaxle apparently left the vehicle at some point. The cable had jumped off its post, while the car was in reverse. I tapped a washer cap onto the post, problem solved. Thanks!