Expert: Roland Finston - 8/30/2011

Question
QUESTION: i have A 2000 Chrysler Concorde LXI 3.2 with 135k miles,I've put alot of highway miles on it and i have never had any issues with it. Just last week it overheated on me out of nowhere and as i pulled over it shut off on me. I let it cool down and tried to start it and it wont, all it does is cranks. any suggestions of what it might be ???

ANSWER: Hi Gabe,
Try to get a fault code readout using the ignition switch: turn the key "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odomater window to see if the mileage reading changes to show any 4-digit numbers preceded by a P. Let me know if so and we'll go from there. If it didn't get way too hot such as to cause damage, then I am thinking it might be one of the sensors, and this fault code readout may tell us which one it is.
Roland

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QUESTION: Okay so it turned out to be the cam sensor, but the mechanic I took it to had already swapped my fuel pump. Now it just cranks and turns but no fuel seems to be being injected. What do you suggest I do ? Should I spray starter fluid ?

ANSWER: Hi Gabe,
I still suggest that you check for fault codes. Try disconnecting the battery for a minute to erase any previous codes. Then reconnect and try to start it. Then see what the fault codes are.
The lack of fuel being injectected could be due to their still being an issue with a sensor which is causing there to be no power to the fuel pump or the spark coils when that is the case. I don't understand the sequence of the fuel pump change out in the history of this. Did that pump changed before or after the highway shutdown situation? If after, why not ask the mechanic what you should do?
Do you hear the fuel pump run, for about a second, making a humming sound inside the fuel tank when you turn the key from off to run? Did you get an 0340 code and is that why the cam sensor was changed? In any case, I can only be of help if you get a fresh code to work with.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It was a 0340 but I didnt disconnect and check for new codes. There was never a faulty fuel pump, so I dont know why this guy swapped my fuel pump. I have already removed my car from his shop since he couldnt figure out crap. Now I'm doing it myself. Tomorrow I will attempt to disconnect and check for new codes..... Any other suggestions ?

Answer
Hi Gabe,
Let me know about the code situation first. Then we can go further.
Did you install the cam sensor yourself? If so, did it have a paper spacer on its face and did you press on the sensor when installing it until the face of the sensor came in contact with the surface of the hidden cam sprocket and did you hold it in that position when you tightened the retaining screw? The face of the sensor has to be close to the surface of the sprocket for it to work right, thus the spacer/press to touch is an important detail.
Roland
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