1998 Chrysler Sebring starting issues. Forums at Automotive.com
»Locate a Dealer»Find a Used Car»Get Financing

Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

  
 
 
Home | Active Posts | Search | Login | Register | Terms | FAQs
Item Posts   

1998 Chrysler Sebring starting issues.

 
JustinMo JustinMo
New User | Posts: 1 | Joined: 07/09
Posted: 07/24/09
06:22 AM

Hello all,

For 3 months my car has been in 2 shops. One day I wake up get ready to head to work and my car cranks but doesn't "turn over" (Sorry if my use of terminology is off). So I assume it's a dead battery. I get jumped and no dice, same issue. So I get it towed to a nearby autoshop who after runs their tests comes to the conclusion that it's the cars ECM. So I order an ECM, they put it in, same problem. After more weeks of what im sure was my car sitting behind their shop not being looked at, they come to the entire distributor being bad. Great, expensive piece. So they order a distributor. Again, no dice. Now, they come to the same conclusion, the ECM. So assuming my first ECM I ordered was bad I order another. What do ya know, doesn't work. Ok, so at this point I am a little dissappointed with the time and quality of work these folks put into my car. They charged me every "hour" they supposedly worked on it (came to about 17 hours at about 800 dollars) and I got it towed to the Chrysler dealership hoping their techs were more skilled.

After 2 weeks of "We couldn't get to it today" they finally come to a diagnosis! The ECM. Ok, now I'm a little aggitated that this one piece keeps popping up. I mean, getting 2 DOA parts is unlikely and to get a third is just a waste of time I thought. So it comes in, they pop it in and what do you know, it magically starts. I kind of feel dumb for assuming it wouldn't work BUT, what do you know. I make it home turn it off, wake up the next morning (today). SAME ISSUE!

I guess the question at hand is, what could be keeping my car from turning over? They checked everything and said it's all pointing to the ECM. The timing belt is fine, distributor is fine, fule injector (and all the stuff associated with the distributor) is fine, starter is fine.

I think there is a short in the wiring or something connecting to the ECM. Possible? I am tired of paying for peoples "guesses" as they tell me that the things they order are not returnable. If anyone knows anything about this problem please help, these last few months have been hell for me -_-. Thanks.  

 
waynep712 waynep712
Enthusiast | Posts: 652 | Joined: 10/08
Posted: 07/24/09
11:07 AM

i would bet that you have the 2.5 V6....

there is a problem...    it may be the ignition coil in the distributer..     you have to do a coil output test with a coil output tester...

little chunk of plastic... has a connector on one end similar to a spark plug top... the other end is a threaded screw with a gator clip...     or you can just hold a spark plug wire  3/4 of in inch from an engine ground..  if it does not throw a spark 3/4" and a hot blue spark...  the coil windings inside are breaking down..

this happens a lot.. drives people crazy.. it will pass a coil test with a test light...  but will not create a high enough voltage to start the car...

careful searching and you can find a replacement coil...  they are replaceable..  and... you don't have to by a factory new distributer...   dorman and other people make replacements...  i would not buy a reman distributer...  i have been that way...  again and again and again..    the rebuilder said.. it passed the spark test.. so it works...  but his shop as do many others just check for spark.. not how much spark.. and it takes a lot to start a car...  

 

2010 Chrysler Sebring
Body Style:
Convertible, Sedan
Rating:

Sponsored Links