Chrysler Repair: 04 Sebring sedan: no starter motor/no start

Question
Hi There,

I have a no start, no crank issue on a 2004 Chrysler Sebring sedan that seems to be the result of a bad ignition switch. I've installed a bypass switch by connecting a push button to the positive battery cable and the negative input on the starter solenoid and can hear the starter turning on when I push the button but it won't turn over. I've been told this could be because the anti-theft is still engaged and I'm not entirely sure how to disengage it. Is there an easy way to disengage the anti-theft or is there something else I need to do in order to get it to turn over with the push button? The ignition is on and the gauges, lights, etc are working when I try to start it.

Answer
Hi Rachel,
Did you check fuse 8 (20 amp) in the power box in the engine compartment? If that were "open" that would be a reason for no starter action, and depending upon which engine/transmission you have it could also cause a failure to start even when you jump over to the starter solenoid because on the 4 cyl engines it powers the fuel pump.  
The ignition switch has 4 different switch sections that connect to 6 different output wires to circuits so if you want to continue with this approach it would be good to determine which of those switch sections is faulty if that is indeed the case. If your attempt to solve the no starter motor response is as you describe it, then that merely is getting around a problem with one of those 6 possible issues and is not evidently dealing with the all the problems that are preventing the start. I would be inclined to get a new ignition switch rather than try to work around this if it is indeed the switch, after testing out the switch
Do you have a voltmeter or a 12v glow light to test for voltage? If so, I can tell you where to test when the key is in the run position and in the start position and that will then explain whether it is the ignition switch that is as fault or not.  
The other thing to do to seek a fault code readout using the ignition switch turning it "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window of the cluster to see the mileage reading replace by a 4-digit number preceded by a P. Let me know what that reveals.
As to the anti-theft, if that was causing the no start you would find that the engine would start, but then after 2 seconds it would be cut off. So that is not the issue until you get that sort of behavior. The anti-theft can be avoided by only securing the car via the mechanical pushbuttons on the door to lock it up, but I don't think that is the issue. It can't be cancelled out except with the door key or key fob.
REVISION: What is the anti-theft system light's "status"? Is it "on" or "off" now and what does it do if anything when you try to start it with key?
Also, let me know which engine size (L) you have and if this is not an automatic transmission.
Also, look on the rear shut face of the driver's door for a square label on which the top line is the date of manufacture. Some of the wiring was changed during the year and this may be a relevant thing for me to know.
Please read the PS (below) and respond to it.
Thanks,
Roland