96 Stratus Won't Start

[gsdrgr8]

Read a message about someone having trouble with their car not starting and the solution was replacing the Oxygen sensor. Where is this located on this car.

[DarkblueTA]

The 02 sensors are under the car...screwed into the exhaust pipe. There will be one before the cat(s) on the exhaust. If your car is a 96 or newer car they will have an 02 sensor right behind the cat. You will have to replace the front 02 sensor.

By The Way, I doubt the 02 sensor is the problem if you can't get your car to start(now if it was running really rough...that could be an 02).

First thing I would do is make sure the cables hooked to the battery and alternator are tight(if you had them off anytime soon...but its still good to double check them).

Second, if you have an old battery, get it tested. Autozone usually does that for free.

If its not the battery, meaning that it checks out ok, next I would check is the alternator.

[gsdrgr8]

Its a new battery and it sounds like it wants to start it just won't turn over. It acts like its not getting any gas. Its never had any problems starting or running rough. Ran around all day Saturday, next day it just won't turn over. Looked at everything I know to look at. Replaced the cheap stuff (fuses, etc).

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by gsdrgr8

Its a new battery and it sounds like it wants to start it just won't turn over. It acts like its not getting any gas. Its never had any problems starting or running rough. Ran around all day Saturday, next day it just won't turn over. Looked at everything I know to look at. Replaced the cheap stuff (fuses, etc).

If you have a Fuel Pressure(FP) gauge. Check to see if the car's FP is up to the normal level(you would have to get a chiltons or haynes to double check it I don't know what the FP is suppost to be on Stratus's but I assume at least 35psi).

If you're FP is non-exsistant or really low, then sounds like your Fuel Pump just went out on you.

If you are getting FP, that's not your problem. I would check to see if you're getting spark. what I would do is after you try to start the car back up with the FP gauge on it, and it doesn't start...pull your plugs out quick and see if there is gas on them. if there is, you're not getting spark to that cylinder. Then your coil(s) may have gone out on you.

That is what I would do first and Good Luck!

[BleedDodge]

The cat is clogged.

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by BleedDodge

The cat is clogged.

That might be very possible. Only thing is I would think the car would turn over and run for at least a few seconds. If what I posted above doesn't work, unhook the exhaust between the manifold and the cat and see if that works.

[gsdrgr8]

Gave up and had towed to the shop. Was told the timing belt broke and did internal engine damage. Thats there guess anyway. Told to take it to a dealer and plan on spending alot of money if they would even rebuild the engine or junk it Hard to believe I have a car one day that I'm driving all over town and the next its junk ???? This stinks.

[BleedDodge]

When my cat clogged the truck wouldn't run at all.

Good luck!

[tarheel4eva]

I got the CEL for a bad O2 sensor and a disconnected battery. I just replaced the battery and still gota fault code for it (12). I know my O2 sensor needs to be replced i got the code the it was malfunctioning. Could it be the alternator going bad if I have a new battery? Any suggestion? Has anyone else experienced this problem?

[GI_Dubber]

I have a 1995 Stratus with the 2.5l auto V6. This weekend, she just would not start. She's got a strong crank but doesn't turn over on her own. I have had the car since new and up until now, have not had any problems with her at all. This is the first, but I am seeing that I am not the first to experience this. Any Ideas. I took out the PCM to take to the local dealer for testing.