Chrysler Repair: 98 chrysler cirrus: no start, crankshaft sensor, chrysler cirrus

Question
hi my question is I have been driving my car with little problems but today I was driving around fine but after i got out of a store my car would not start. all the light come on, radio, everything. when you turn the key it sounds like it's going to start but does not turn over. I have read other suggestions about the crankshaft sensor and i was wondering if that's what i should try and if i could do it myself. If so can you tell me where the sensor  is located or any other suggestions you might have because money is extremely tight with no job and i don't want to replace things that are probably not the reason.  thanks so much

Answer
Hi Kij,
You are right to not start replacing parts with no firm evidence they are at fault. Try the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch to see if the numbers in the odometer window change to show some 4-digit numbers instead of the mileage. If so, tell me what they are; if not then is it possible that you have a friend with a fault code reader? It plugs into a socket under the dash next to the steering column and that will get you any fault codes that will shed light on the problem's cause.
You could check to see when you turn the key to 'run' position do you hear the fuel pump run for 1 second or so, which is normal? Then you also could check for spark by pulling one of the spark plug caps off a plug, put a scredriver with an insulated handle into the cap until the metal tip touches the wire deep inside, then hold the insulated handle and the cap with both hands and position the shaft of the screwdriver 1/4" from the engine cylinder head while a friend cranks the starter over and you observe for whether you get spark for a full 5 seconds of cranking or not.
Let me know any information you get this way.
The crank sensor is mounted on side of the engine closer to the fire wall, right at the seam between the engine and the transmission, just above the surface of the transmission. I wouldn't go to the expense of replacing it without a fault code or an electrical test of its functioning. Do you have a voltmeter?
The cam sensor is inside the distributor and unfortunately you can't just replace the sensor because it isn't sold separately. You have to buy a rebuilt distributor if it is bad. There is a specific fault code for each sensor: 0320 and 0340, respectively.
So work this through deliberately and you will avoid wasting money.
I assume that you have the V-6 engine, correct?
Also, check fuse #5 in the box in the engine compartment as it is needed to power up the spark and other engine operating functions.
Roland