98 stratus 2.4 HELP

Ok, first of all I do work as a mechanic, and this is a first for me. I am working on a 98 Dodge Stratus 2.4. It had the typical head gasket leak, so I pulled the motor and replaced all new seals and gaskets, and everything else that might go wrong down the road so I would not have to pull it again for a while. Any way, everything went great, got it back together, fired right up and ran good... after about 20 minutes I put it in reverse to back it out of the shop and let it run. It back up about 2 feet and died and I have not been able to start it since. It cranks but does not start, It sounds like it trys to fire right when I start cranking but then it just cranks and don't even sound like its trying to fire again. I checked spark, I see a weak looking orange spark, it has fuel getting to it, I checked to make sure timing didn't slip and it's fine, I replaced the crank sensor, checked the cam sensor, checked the fuses... I am stumped mostly because this is the first time i had to do anyhitng more then general tune up on one of these. Any help would save my life... did I mention it is my wifes car, so you can about imagine what i have to hear every night I get home without her car!! Anyway PLEASE HELP!!

Ok, first of all I do work as a mechanic, and this is a first for me. I am working on a 98 Dodge Stratus 2.4. It had the typical head gasket leak, so I pulled the motor and replaced all new seals and gaskets, and everything else that might go wrong down the road so I would not have to pull it again for a while. Any way, everything went great, got it back together, fired right up and ran good... after about 20 minutes I put it in reverse to back it out of the shop and let it run. It back up about 2 feet and died and I have not been able to start it since. It cranks but does not start, It sounds like it trys to fire right when I start cranking but then it just cranks and don't even sound like its trying to fire again. I checked spark, I see a weak looking orange spark, it has fuel getting to it, I checked to make sure timing didn't slip and it's fine, I replaced the crank sensor, checked the cam sensor, checked the fuses... I am stumped mostly because this is the first time i had to do anyhitng more then general tune up on one of these. Any help would save my life... did I mention it is my wifes car, so you can about imagine what i have to hear every night I get home without her car!! Anyway PLEASE HELP!!
Bumper, I am new to this site so I hope the reply gets to you. I had the exact same problem on a 97 Stratus 2.4 L, after changing the head gasket and cracked exhaust manifold (which makes the head gasket brittle and start leaking oil on the back side of the head) I found that the cam shaft sensor connector had slid down. Hope this helps.

Bumper, I am new to this site so I hope the reply gets to you. I had the exact same problem on a 97 Stratus 2.4 L, after changing the head gasket and cracked exhaust manifold (which makes the head gasket brittle and start leaking oil on the back side of the head) I found that the cam shaft sensor connector had slid down. Hope this helps.


How or which part do you mean slid down, sorry I am not meaning to sound llike an idot but slid down and is resting on something, or just the connector came unplugged, sorry this damned car has got me down to my last brain cell.

How or which part do you mean slid down, sorry I am not meaning to sound llike an idot but slid down and is resting on something, or just the connector came unplugged, sorry this damned car has got me down to my last brain cell.
When I disconnected the cam shaft sensor connector, the clip was brittle and broke in the process. After I completed the head install and was letting her come up to temp, the engine just died. When I tried to restart, she tried to go but was spitting and sputtering. I later found that the vibration from the engine running had caused the CAM shaft sensor connector to become disconnected, however it looked to be connected. Maybe this is not your same problem but it sure sounds like a bad ground or connection issue. I know it sounds simple but this one kicked my butt for a week. Hope this helps

Bumper,
Is that rascal running yet?

No, not running yet. Have now replaced crank sensor, cam sensor, and PCM tonight (ouch). It does not make sense. I popped the fuel rail off and right when it starts to crank all 4 injectors spray, but the as you continue to crank the only one that will spray is the #3 cylinder injector. That is what led me to believe that it wasin the PCM itself... but $400 later it appears a new PCM did not fix my problem. I am at my wits end please does anyone have any suggestions, even if they are the simplest ones, it has to be something stupid and little I am just overlooking

Where did you get the new computer?You will have to take it to the dealer to get the new computer programed and the vin "burned" in.To program a new Chrysler computer,the factory scan tool called a DRB III has to be used.

I bought the PCM at my local Dodge dealer, and the car is on the trailor heading to them tomorrow morning, I am so sick of seeing this car I told my wife she could go pick any car off any lot if we can just sell this one after this ordeal. Well I will let you all know what they find out.