Chrysler Repair: 95 Dodge Neon transmission/engine link, crankshaft pulley, crank shaft


Question
QUESTION: Has 110k miles on it with new timing belt and valves.  Car lost all power to transmission when driving on the highway. (As if it dropped into neutral).  After turning off the engine, car would not start again.  In trying to start the car, it sounded like the timing belt had broke (no engine resistance when starting).  After taking off all the accessories drives and confirming timing belt is OK, I discovered that when trying to start the car, the starter works but the crankshaft is not rotating.  Any suggestions?
ANSWER: Hi Robert,
If there is an inspection port on the bell housing I would suggest looking to see whether the flywheel (flexplate if you have an automatic transmission) is turning when you turn the crankshaft via the bolt on the crankshaft pulley at the front of the engine. It the starter gear is engaging the teeth on the flywheel/flexplate and the crankshaft doesn't turn, then there is something wrong with the connection between that driveplate and the crankshaft (came loose?). It is a very basic issue if the starter is indeed rotating the plate and yet the crank to which it is attached doesn't rotate.
Roland  
Question: I took off the dust cover and confirmed that the flexplate (automatic) is turning when the starter engages the teeth.  The crankshaft does not turn.  I have the Dodge Neon  factory service manual but it shows no detail of the link between the flexplate and the crankshaft.

1. Could failure of the torque converter be the culprit?
2. If so, does the work needed to fix this be better spent on replacing the transmission?
3. Is there anywhere on the web to get a good diagram of this engine/flywheel link?

Thanks for the quick reply  

Answer
the link from the flywheel to the crank shaft is  that they are bolted together right at the flywheel.U dont need any sorta diagram for that  4 or 5 bolts  and it will go right to the crank shaft. SO u are telling me that when u start the car up the belts and such does not turn up front? If so then u have a broken flywheel or crank shaft. The tranny would be the last thing to worry about right now  but it does need to come out in order for u to see what really broke the crank or teh flywheel.