Chrysler Repair: No spark on 98 Sebring Convertible, crank shaft, strong suspicion

Question
I have repeated problems with no spark on my 98 Sebring Convertible.  It'll
just crank and crank.  I've replaced the crank shaft sensor, plugs, plug wires,
the entire distributor and cap assembly, and battery but still it intermittently
acts up.  

I have a strong suspicion it's the anti theft system.  Occasionally I can
recreate the problem through a series of locking/unlocking the door, using
the key to lock and unlock, yet the exact sequence I can not replicate.  

It's become very unreliable.  I've had it in a couple times but with an
intermittent problem it's become very hard to diagnose/fix.

Any ideas?

thanks much

keith  

Answer
Hi Keith,
The alarm is usually armed by using the power door locks, the key locks or the fob when exiting the car. The car is disarmed by means of the door key locks or the fob. This is the case if everything is working.
The front line approach to the problem would be via the key locks; both sides should be tried to disarm the system, using the alarm indicator light on the dash to alert you as to when it is or is not armed.
Once you have cancelled the alarm system,if you want to avoid the hassle entirely, then NEVER use the power door locks, the key locks or the fob to secure the vehicle. Instead, simply push the manual control lock on each door to secure it before exiting the car. That way you will never set it and therefor never be beholden to it. There is no way to remove the alarm system, you can only get around it by not invoking it to action.
After replacing the fuse, if you are still prevented from starting the engine (e.g. the engine starts and dies after a few seconds) then use the door key in this manner. Get out of the car, close the door, lock the door with the key, then unlock the door with the key. Then try and start the car. If it still is in the alarmed state, then perform the same series of steps on the opposite door. If that still doesn't cancel the alarm, let me know and I will give you instructions on how to jump a wire at the body control module on the back side of the fuse box. If that doesn't do it, then a dealer will need to diagnose an internal problem with the body computer using a diagnostic readout box.
The chances are that the wire between the driver door lock and the computer is flaky. Because the passenger door has been used less it's wire is probably OK. So ideally you should be able to disarm the system by means of the door key.
But the bottom line for the future is to stop setting the alarm, as I described above.
I have the manual for the vehicle which shows the wiring, but aside from the wires between the key lock and the body computer the balance of the system is digital communication between that computer and the engine computer.
Roland