QuestionCar won't start. Had a mechanic change cap/rotor (which i suspect were fine) nothing, i'm trying to fix myself. Turns over, you can hear gas pump, 5 second screwdriver test = no spark. no codes read on key on/off test, except for battery disconnected (which it had been), did other tests you've recommended for other no starts, only test that didnt check out was resistance between the socket at the coil where the single wire of the 2 pin connector is normally connected. it did not read any ohms (o-if i did that right anyway.) what do you think the problem is? distributor/crank shaft sensor/or? thanks in advance.
AnswerHi Cynth,
The wiring diagrams for the 2.5L V-6 are very unsatisfactory for the distributor, in my '96 Cirrus/Stratus manual which used that engine also. Surprisingly there is a difference between the '96 and the '95 Sebring Coupe manual for that same distributor. So I am a bit uncertain in my answers for your '97 vehicle. According to the '95 circuit diagram there is a power transistor built-in to the distributor which if it went bad would cause a failure of the primary side of the spark coil (the '97 manual just treats the distributor as a black box on that score). The '95 manual suggests that one test for the function of the power transistor by putting a 1.5 volt battery (+ on pin 6, - on pin 5 of the 6-way socket on the distributor and then measuring to see if you get 0 ohms to ground (the cylinder head) on the pin 1 of the 2-way socket of the distributor. Presumably if you remove the battery the resistance will jump to infinity or some very high value if the transistor is good.
If that test fails, then see if you can buy a power transistor for the distributor separately at a dealership.
The measurement that you made from pin 1 of the 2-way to ground was probably corrext because you were measuing the coil primary resistance, so your result is to be expected. You should also measure between pin 1 of the 2-way and the high tension output of the coil (the one that mates with the distributor cap) and see if it reads 12000 to 18000 ohms which is the expected secondary winding resistance.
Let me know what you find from your measurements and your inquiry about a power transistor replacement part. I wish I had a '97 Sebring manual which might be more revelatory than my 96' Cirrus/Stratus V-6 manual and my '95 Sebring coupe manual (the first year of the Sebring).
I don't think there is anything wrong with the crank (or cam) sensor because you aren't getting a 11 or 54 code and because the fuel pump is running for the duration of the crank (you report) and because if that is true you would also get 12v on the single wire of the incoming 2-way plug during the crank (check if that is true, however). Neither of those two responses would be present it the crank sensor were bad.
I'll wait to hear back from you with interest.
Roland
