Chrysler Repair: 2.5 V-6 died on freeway , now wont start. No codes, chrysler sebring lxi, camshaft sprockets

Question
Hi roland, My wifes car 97 (chrysler sebring lxi 6cyl.) died on her on the freeway then wouldn't start at first I thought she ran it out of gas so filled it and nothing, checked spark, fine. then I happened to notice both belts were gone. the check engine light had come on before then went away. she coplained that she thought it was shifting funny, possibly could have been engine though, but always ran fine when I drove it. i pulled part of the timing cover and found that there was a chunk missing on the belt but was still in one piece. the chunk was laying inside. I tried to check codes with the key, nothing. any sugestions? thanks

Answer
Hi Josh,
No start with no codes is always a challenge. Based on the history I would check a couple of items. First, turn the ignition to run and make sure that you can hear the fuel pump inside the fuel tank run for about a second before it cuts off automatically. If you hear nothing, then I would suggest checking to make sure that you get voltage to the fuel pump by checking the dark green/white wire at the 4-pin black plug at the tank, or at least listen to verify that the fuel pump relay in the power distribution center under the hood clicks when the key is turned to run (and you might hear it unlatch after a second). Without a fuel pump of course you won't get injection of fuel. It does come on again when you start cranking it but you usually can't hear it at that point.
Then because of the decaying timing belt I would suggest turning the crankshaft pulley bolt to get the engine to TDC for cyl 1 (you might have to go around a full turn again in case you were actually on TDC for cyl 4) and check the timing marks on the camshaft sprockets against the marks on the inner surface of the shells that remain in place when you remove the timing covers from each bank of cylinders. It may be that the belt slipped on a sprocket in its weakened condition so that your valves are out of time with the crankshaft.
Other than those, I would also check the egr valve to make sure it isn't struck ajar which will also prevent starting.
Look for it in the pipe from the front exhaust manifold to the intake area, and look at its stem for a slot which you can move back and forth against spring action with the tip of a screwdriver.
It is possible that there maybe be a fault with the MAP sensor or the coolant temp sensor which also impact the mixture, but not so far off-value as to set a code. My MAP failed that way, once.  But those would be the last things in order of likelihood.
You can see that I am focussing toward mixture here and overall valve timing rather than spark, based on what you reported.
Please let me know of any progress.
Roland
P.S.Check codes again to verify that you are getting the 55, end of readout, that verifies a readout was actually accomplished.