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Chrysler Repair/99 Chrysler sebring convertible 2.5

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Expert: - 12/3/2011


Question
over the past few weeks my car started running rough and the check engine light came on and finally one morning it wouldn't start it cranks and sounds like it wants to start but doesn't I had someone try to read the codes but the only code they were getting was misfire on #2 cylinder would that be enough to keep it from starting or would it possibly be the cranksensor or distributor

Answer
Hi Brian,
Yes, a single cylinder misfiring can make it difficult to impossible to start the engine depending upon the overall condition of the engine (compression, fuel delivery, spark intensity).
I would certainly inspect the #2 cylinder wire to look for degradation/damage/evidence of short circuit to the cylinder head or other nearby metal engine part. How many miles are on the spark plugs? Any sign of damage to the #2 spark plug's cap? Have you assessed for spark being present at the #2 plug cap? Any signs of engine mechanical malfunction? Any observed cracks in the distributor cap in the vicinty of the #2 wire connection point. Condition of the rotor? Condition of the distributur cap internal contacts points?
Those are the sorts of things to assess.
I would not focus on the crank sensor or the cam sensor(which is inside the distributor and not sold as a separate part typically, thus a cost of several hundred dollars). Those have their own codes, 0320 and 0340.
Roland

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Roland Finston

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I specialize in Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth cars, minivans, and SUV's for the model years 1982-2008 based upon my 50-year DIY experience, factory shop manuals and wiring diagrams. I offer fast repair advice to help you minimize repair costs by helping you diagnose and do it yourself. Problems with electronically controlled engines and transmissions as well as body wiring problems are my specialty.

I take questions one at a time between 8am and 10pm CT and attempt to answer within 20 minutes. "Maxed Out" means I am answering another question of otherwise busy, so try again later.

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Five decades as a 'do-it-yourselfer' on domestic and imported cars

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Yahoo Autos Group called The Chrysler Lebaron Club (co-moderator)

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Degrees in Physics/bruised knuckles.

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"Top expert of 2010" and "2011" at Allexperts. Among top 50 experts for years 2006-2009 at Allexperts.

Quickest "average response time" at Allexperts (currently no. 1).

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