Expert: Roland Finston - 12/27/2011

Question
QUESTION: 2000 crytler sebring lxi will strat if u jump it but will cut off when u take jumper cables off and mash break

ANSWER: Hi Michael,
I would start by trying to get a trouble code number out of the engine controller memory, using the ignition key. Turn it;"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 do it again to be sure you have an accurate/repeatable set of flash counts. Then send me a follow-up qustion telling me the counts in the order of appearance. Then we'll go from there to figure out what to do next.
I am not clear as to what the "mash brake" means, or how it affects the engine. If this is significant please explain further as the brake usually doesn't impact the engine.
Roland

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QUESTION: when turn stuff on it cuts off

ANSWER: I mean, just turn the key to the 'run' position (not the starter position), then off, then on, then off, then on, and leave On and do that in 5 seconds elapsed time or less.  Then watch the check engine light which should remain 'on' until you see it start to flash, and then you count the flashes before each pause. It should work...keep trying until you get it to do so. We have to have flash counts to go anywhere from here.

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QUESTION: I tried that no check engine came on

Answer
So your 'check engine' light never glows? Then you would want to open the cluster and replace the bulb so we can get it going again. That is the only practical way to get a handle on this situation...to have a fault code. The bezel has 2 screws on the top inner surface, then the cluster itself has 4 screws at the corners, the pull out the cluster and locate the bulb for the check engine light and replace it.