Chrysler Repair: 2.5L V-6 will not start, screwdriver blade, penetrating lubricant

Question
I have a 99 cirrus v6. It has around 137.000 mi on it. I had the trouble of no spark, I replaced the distrbutor,cap and rotor and all was well.Months later it stalled coming home, refired but ran rough. Will not start, no codes either. I replaced the fuel pump and after a no bus code it started. Ran ok but sometimes you push on the gas pedal and it wanted to die but them it would run great, but rough idle. Shut down and now no start. Replaced the egr valve, plugs & wires,new battery and checked fuses & swapped around relays. No codes and no start, cranks fine and seem like it wants to catch but does not. Your my only hope I don,t have much hair left...

Answer
Hi Skip,
The first thing I would do is check the mechanical function of the egr valve which is located along a pipe that runs from the left exhaust manifold (on the side of the engine facing the front of the car) to the intake manifold area (where the incoming air in the large rubber tube enters the throttle). That valve is metal and has a round fitting with a vacuum hose attached, mounted on the top of the valve, and the round part is attached to the main body of the valve by a sort of saddle.  Inside the open saddle you will see a metal rod (with a slot) that connects the round top fitting to to the valve body. That rod is a stem on the valve and it is supposed to go in and out in response to the engine vacuum which varies with RPM and throttle opening (gas pedal position). Take a spray can of WD-40 or other penetrating lubricant and spray the stem where it enters the valve body and then use a regular screwdriver blade tip inserted in the slot to lever the valve in and out to try and free up its motion. Also check all the rubber vacuum hoses associated with the valve and a nearby vacuum solenoid valve. If the valve seems to open (against the action of a spring) and close firmly by the spring action when using the screwdriver blade to facilitate the motion, then you should be able to now start the engine. You can, once it is idling, check that the valve stem moves when you rev the engine from idle to 2500 rpm and back to idle. If it still won't start, then removing and cleaning the interior of the valve, or buying a new one if it seems too crudy and corroded inside, is the next step to getting the engine to start.
Roland