Chrysler Repair: 97 Chrysler cranking but wont start, 4 digit numbers, independent shop

Question
Hi Sir, a few days ago the car shut off on me while i was dropping a friend home,and as i was pressing gas i notice the car was not accelerating. however, i got someone to try jump the battery a few times and the car would not start. however, i took it to the shop and they told me i pop the timing belt. after that the car was fine, until maybe 3 days later i was reversing onto the road and because the front of the car is very low, i hit something underneath the front.when i went home, rested, now getting ready to go to work the car keep cranking and wont start. take it to the mechanic, and they cant find the problem. do you have an idea what the problem maybe?

Answer
Hi Ginger,
I am not sure whether you can get the car to start and run or not, because you tell me about it not starting but then you get it to a mechanic. Is it getting to the mechanic under power or is it being towed to the mechanic?
I ask because I would like to know if the mechanic checked the engine computer for the presence of fault codes. which are 4-digit numbers that are stored in the computer memory when it recognizes a problem, which may explain the unreliable starting. So if you would ask the mechanic if he 'read-out the engine computer to find any fault codes' or not, and if they did 'what were the numbers', if any. If they say they didn't read-out the fault codes then that would still be the best way to find out what might be the cause of the unreliable starting.
If there is an Autozone parts store near you they will often do the readout for free. If not, then if your mechanic doesn't have a read-out device go to another independent shop which should do that task for about $40. Once you get the fault numbers ask them if any are related to difficult starting or not and if so what they recommend to do in light of the numbers. Then write me back and tell me the 4-digit numbers and we can compare that to the shop manual instruction for that number.
Also be sure to tell me the year/model/body style/engine size in your vehicle so I can give you specific help. I only know so far that it is a '97 Chrysler and that is all.
Roland
PS You might also try using the ignition switch to get the fault codes, this way:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light, which remains 'on', to see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat the process and count again to be sure you have an accurate set of count. Then group the counts in pairs in the order of appearance to form 2-digit numbers which are fault codes as well. Let me know what you saw and we'll go from there.
If the check engine light doesn't flash, then do it one more time only this time observe the odometer window to see if the mileage reading changes to show the 4-digit numbers I first described. Because I don't know which vehicle you have it is not certain which if these ways might work, or maybe neither will work and you will need to have the codes read with a plug-in reader at a shop.