1997 Dodge Stratus Won't start

Tiny
HYDRODUDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE STRATUS
Electrical problem
1997 Dodge Stratus 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 157K miles

You guys helped me with my 76 Chevy Truck. Now I'm looking for insight on my 97 Stratus! Here ya go. And I know I have read similar problems. Just don't remember what the fix was.
First, engine was hesitating. Replaced Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor. BINGO! Ran like a champ! 6 months later. Similar problem. Checked the sensor and cleaned it. Same problem. Replaced it. Still hesitated. Got the check engine light and read the codes. Cam and crank sensors. Replaced those. NOW! Here is the problem, I never got to drive the car after replacing these two sensors. It would crank but not run. No codes to be read. Did a spark check and no spark coming from the coil pack. It was replaced with a new one in Feb/Mar this year. Same for the plugs and wires. I checked some wires. Relays (replaced a relay and no fix), found a broken wire at the alternator connector. Fixed it. Still nothing. Car has not run now in 2 months. Need help, single Dad and active duty military. Truck's gas consumption is KILLING me! Any thoughts? I donated last time. And if I get a fix from you guys, I'll donate again under a generic question. So hook up an Air Force aircraft mechanic! Just remembered a couple of other things.I had the operation of a few of the gauges not work while driving, the odometer was not working. I also bought and replaced the ASD relay, checked the fuses, and did the spark check by pulg a plug wire, grounding it and not spark. Stater works, laternator is good, had it tested before car crapped out, and tried reading codes. None to be read. I haven't looked at the timing belt.
Thursday, December 18th, 2008 AT 1:11 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the coil pack/control module/CPS

DIS MODULE & SENSOR CHECKS

Here is a little trick that will literally show you if a DIS module and its crankshaft sensor circuit are working: connect a halogen headlamp to the spade terminals that mate the DIS module to the coils. A headlamp is recommended here because it puts more of a load on the module than a test lamp. If the headlamp flashes when the engine is cranked, the DIS module and crankshaft position sensor circuit are functioning. Therefore, the problem is in the coils.

If the headlamp does not flash, or there is no voltage to the module or coil pack when the engine is cranked, the problem is most likely in the crankshaft sensor circuit. On most vehicles, a bad crank position sensor will usually set a fault code, so use a scan tool to check for a code. Or, check the crank sensor itself.
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Saturday, December 20th, 2008 AT 6:52 AM
Tiny
NUTS4BOLTS
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I've had to replace pcm's before but test crank/cam sensors for ground and volts at harness connector end middle is ground outers read for voltage.
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Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
C17HYDRO
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Hey guys, thanks for the input. I am the same poster just under a different username. I tried the bulb test and got no flashes. I also ohmmed out MY coil pack and a pack I pulled from a Stratus at the yard. Both, mine and the used one, read out of limits (according to Chiltons/Haynes). MY pack was 7 months old at the time my car took a crap. Now, when I installed my crank sensor, I noticed that it had a really minor ding on it (bought new from Schuck's, now O'Reilly's) so I am screwed on returning it now for that. Is it possible that it was defective? I received an OBDII reader for X-mas. But I have no codes to read! I am just wondering what my next step should be before I take it to a garage and get shafted on a huge bill for parts that I have replaced already and really not knowing what fixed it. Timing belt a possibility?
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Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 AT 12:23 AM

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