Troubleshooting sisters Plymouth neon

[bilzy7]

Ok it's a 96-98 plymouth, I forgot to check registration to confirm. It has 84k miles and she's put the last 10 on without any engine problems. She never drives fast and is one safe driver so I know she doesn't beat on it. She called me asking about it chugging, after it died on the road while driving. I went to check it out yesterday. It starts up np but idles real rough and has less power then it did before but not all gone. I replaced air filter as it was dirty as hell. That was all I had time for as it was mothers day an I had to head home to the wife. I was thinking off the basics. She's never replaced spark plugs or wires or coil pack but the all appear in good shape. I know the wires are good but I wasn't able to pull plugs and check them. Could her exhaust be clogged? Possibly not letting car exhale correctly? I was hoping to help her but same time these problems exist and I forget the fixes.
The brake pedals kick back when pressed, isn't this an abs problem? Maybe new pads would help? I got such limited info cause I kinda rush check, I was only there to visit my mom.
Her blinkers and all work except her headlights will work, then not work. I check connections and traced wires. Both headlights are grounded and no breaks in the wires. I traced passenger headlight wires to the firewall, drivers I couldn't trace past where they go into the rest of the electrical wiring.
Her car ran great before it randomly stalled.
Thanks in advance for any tips...

 

[baddis]

i don't remember if the key on off on off on works on them to check codes. might check www.allpar.com

 

[bilzy7]

im hoping its something simple. she got the car for 800 and and it passed inspection np. hoping to find the solution to her probs when i have time, but im no engine specialist.

 

[dhinch279]

For my 2002 Neon, I just turn the key on and off 4 times then a code pops up in the odometer. Then I google the code and find out whats wrong. My Neon has 178k miles and still going strong.

 

[BlackBII]

If all the cylinders seem to be getting good spark, I would think fuel would be the problem.

 

[tbirdsps]

Even on an older 96-98 the plugs are "probably" still good but it's better to check. Also check the fuel pressure. Low fuel pressure will cause it to run bad and stall. Also consider the condition of the battery cables. Computer controlled engines to strange things if a ground is bad or doesn't have the full 12 volts. Give it a good visual on the very few vacuum hoses too.

 

[Earl43P]

Ugh. I hate those cars.

I worked on a 4 cyl Cloud car, rough idle, puffing sound, couldn't go 35 mph.

Clogged cat (from a bad O2), the restricted exhaust blew the line for the egr (all one assembly, valve/tube/etc.) which made the puffing sound. I felt the hot exhaust back by the firewall with a glove on to find it. Couldn't see the egr assembly at all.

I didn't fix it either. A year later her dad got it fixed.

Irony is this all happened to her the day after she got a new exhaust from the cat back.

I try to avoid the Chrysler products myself.

Good for you trying to help.