Expert: Roland Finston - 9/9/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2004 Chrysler Sebring that will not start i was driving to work last week and the check engine light came on and then the car just died out and will not start again i had to have it towed to my house.  I got a Reader and it came out as P0340 (cam) check it out and it would not start then the next day the battier died out as well tryed to jump it would not start, when i turn the key over it wants to start but just will not.  need help

ANSWER: Hi Johnie,
You didn't tell me whether you changed out the cam sensor which is what the 0340 is pointing you to do. You didn't say which engine you have in the car so I can't tell you specifically where and how to change that sensor. Let me know and we'll go from there. Have you tried recharging the battery with a battery charger in the meantime so that when you are ready to go you have a fully charged battery? And if this is the orginal factory battery it is probably near the end of its life too. Is this a convert, sedan or coupe style Sebring would be good to know too.
Roland

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

QUESTION: Hi. Yes i changed out the cam sensor.  The Sebring is a LX Sedan engine is a 2.4L i have not tryed to recharged the battier yet i just tryed to jump it.  This it the 2ed battier that i had its only 2 yrs old

Answer
Well I would charge the battery, then try and start it, and then see what code(s) are showing. One thought is the possibility that your timing belt is broken, so have a friend try the starter while you peer in the oil filler cap to see if you see things moving inside, or not. How many miles on the engine if the that belt hasn't been changed yet?
Roland