QuestionQUESTION: I am working on a 2000 Sebring 2.5 and it does not start. A garage told the owner that it needed the engine replaced because the timing belt jumped and the valves were bent. I opened the front valve cover and do not see anything out of place or that looks bent. I can turn the engine form the Flywheel but the front pulley does not turn. This has me curious. I did run codes and got the P0340 which is the Cam Shaft sensor and I have read your input on that code. But the fact that the engine does not turn all the way through the cycle has me stumped. I am fixing this car for someone with out allot of money and doing it for parts only. Can you give me an idea of where to look next. Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Russell,
I am having trouble with terminolgy here. By flywheel, that usually means the flexplate (if automatic transmission) or the true flywheel that is meshed to the clutch on a manual transmission. Did you perhaps mean the crankshaft pulley bolt? And by the "front pulley does not turn" do you mean the front camshaft sprocket. Both of the cam shafts are turned by the timing belt or both aren't if the timing belt is broken. Please explain again what it is that you observe. I am concerned that if indeed the belt jumped, even if still in place, that the valves/pistons may have indeed interfered and been damaged. Therefor when you remove the full front timing cover you would want to see if the cam sprockets are aligned with their respective marks when the timing mark on the cranksproket is close to its mark, which would tell you how far off the various parts were as the result of the slip. So look into that and let me know.
Roland
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Roland, You are correct I meant the flex plate for Automatic transmission.I have removed the starter several times to verify starter is working.When I turn the key it sounds like a faulty starter but my flexplate moves.I am however unable to verify movement at the other end of the engine either at the crankshaft pulley our the cam sprockets as well as the serpentine belt.Have you ever heard of a broken crankshaft for this engine.WHen cranking engine it should move belts in the front of engine even if it doesn't start engine right.
AnswerHi Russell,
Yes, if you are certain that the flex plate is being driven by the starter then either it is decoupled from the crankshaft or the shaft is broken IF the crankpulley doesn't turn at the front of the engine. Crankshaft due break, but not without some sort of traumatic insult.
So, that would be the question, is the flex plate rotating by starter action.
Roland
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