Chrysler Repair: Water/Pump & Timing belt / finding top dead center: 3.2/3.5L, camshaft sprockets, 4 digit numbers

Question
I have to change my water pump and timing belt, I was told since I am changing the water pump to change my timing belt.  How do I find the top dead center for a 2001 Chrysler I'M.  If you have an easier way to change either parts I would greatly appreciate it.  Water pump is leaking and at times the car is head to start I have to put my gas peddle all the way to the floor and will start.  Sometime it will crank right over.  But I am thinking the timing is off.  Thank you in advance for your assistance

Answer
Hi Darwin,
I assume you have a 3.2 or 3.5L engine. The TDC position of cyl. 1 would be when your crankshaft sprocket is aligned such that the mark on its edge is opposite the fixed TDC marker on the block AND the marks on the two camshaft sprockets are aligned between the two marks on the back covers behind them. I assume that your timing belt is still in position so that when you rotate the crankshaft it is moving the camshafts as well, which is an important matter because of the 'interference' between the valves and the pistons which will otherwise occur. If the timing marks are aligned then the timing will also be OK because spark timing is controlled electronically based upon the crank and cam sensors. The difficulty starting could be due to any number of possible causes so doing a fault code readout is the most efficient way of finding out why. Also cleaning the throat/both sides of the butterfly plate/idle air passageway at the the throttle body air intake may go a long way to making it easier to start. A sticky egr valve may also make starting/idling difficult, so check the fault codes for that possibility (code 0401-0406).
To get the fault codes you can use the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window to see if the mileage reading changes to show any 4-digit numbers preceded by a P which would be the fault codes stored in the memory of powertrain control module.
Let me know the results. I don't have any suggestions of an alternative labor-saving plan for this job you are intending to do. However changing the water pump when you change the timing belt is a wise move. What instructions do you have to followa?
Roland