97 Dodge Avenger Wont Start
I drove about 100 miles and I was going up a hill and then my check engine light and the brake light came on so I pulled over to the shoulder and the car shut off before I even got to turn it off. There was no smoke, no leaks, and the car cranks but will now turn over. I had to have the car towed 100 miles back home and still have not got it started. I have power from the battery but I'm not getting a spark from the plugs. I thought maybe it was the fuel filter but I replaced it and I can hear the pump come on when I turn the key but the car still wont turn over.If anyone can help it would be much appreciated.
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Welcome to DF Avenger97, good looking car too!
Did you experience "odd" electrical issues? Have you checked the alternator for voltage?
The reason I ask is that, it sounds like power was all of a sudden shut off. It's happened to me and mine was because the voltage regulator died on me...mine is in the alternator, yours is in the TCU though. Anyway, check the battery voltage and alternator voltage.
Can you get it to start via, jumpstart?
Did you experience "odd" electrical issues? Have you checked the alternator for voltage?
The reason I ask is that, it sounds like power was all of a sudden shut off. It's happened to me and mine was because the voltage regulator died on me...mine is in the alternator, yours is in the TCU though. Anyway, check the battery voltage and alternator voltage.
Can you get it to start via, jumpstart?
Well I wasn't home my brother-in-law jumped my car and got it to start but I've tried since and haven't got it to start up. I know this is a total chicka question but how long should I keep the jumper cables hooked up before I try to start it. I'm thinking now that maybe we didn't leave it on long enough.
A minute is good. It's also good to rev and hold the rev on the other vehicle to get the alternator to pump more juice into the donor power car, so that it doesn't apply too much load on the other vehicle.
Ok well we left the donor car on for about 3-4 min. and then tried to turn my car on and couldn't get it to start still but I'm going to go outside because it's been about a week and I'll try to jump it again. Brb
Ok so I went out and tried to jump my car and it failed horribly. All it will do is crank and not turn over or spark. So do you still think it might still be the alternator or could it be something else? I'm calling a AAA service truck to come out and check my alternator tomorrow morning. Whenmy neighbor that has been helping me try to fix my car, did the trick to check the codes on the check engine light he got a no cam signal at PCM but he doesn't think it that I should replace the camshaft sensor because it is part of the distributor and he thinks the whole reason why it keeps saying that is because it's not getting power. If that was the case why would it not be getting power? So what do you think? Thanks
Ah, there is a crankhaft position sensor that will cause a "no start" issue too.
Here's the thread that belongs in.. https://dodgeforum.com/m_535005/tm.htm
The other thing I would say is the PCM/TCU itself.
ORIGINAL: silvercoupe97
You may be having a crank postition sensor (CPS) issue. A lot of Avenger/Sebrings have this issue at some point
..and it looks like this..

Be careful of how it is installed though. The paper spacer is very important and it can determine whether installation is successful or not.
Price for the CPS ranges anywhere from ~$50-$100+, all depending on where you get it. You just have to shop around the internet and local autoparts stores.
Please check everything else first...spark, fuel, power. Check your fuses, relays, and connections. On the firewall, there are a set of relays that can also affect start or no start. Your fuel pump relay and ASD relay are on that set of relays. I would suggest getting a Haynes/Chiltons manual also.
Turn your key to the ACC position...can you hear the fuel pump prime? How hot is it where you are? is your thermostat getting hot looking at the gauge?
Do your normal quick and easy checks for fuel and spark. I'll post more when I think of more and/or find more info for you, but we'll start there.
...and welcome to DF.
You may be having a crank postition sensor (CPS) issue. A lot of Avenger/Sebrings have this issue at some point
to replace, remove the batter, and battery tray...and down underneath the tranny mount you see a little black cylinder sticking into the tranny, held by one 10mm bolt, thats the CPS
Directly below the distributor.

Be careful of how it is installed though. The paper spacer is very important and it can determine whether installation is successful or not.
Price for the CPS ranges anywhere from ~$50-$100+, all depending on where you get it. You just have to shop around the internet and local autoparts stores.
Please check everything else first...spark, fuel, power. Check your fuses, relays, and connections. On the firewall, there are a set of relays that can also affect start or no start. Your fuel pump relay and ASD relay are on that set of relays. I would suggest getting a Haynes/Chiltons manual also.
Turn your key to the ACC position...can you hear the fuel pump prime? How hot is it where you are? is your thermostat getting hot looking at the gauge?
Do your normal quick and easy checks for fuel and spark. I'll post more when I think of more and/or find more info for you, but we'll start there.
...and welcome to DF.
The other thing I would say is the PCM/TCU itself.
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I actually already own the Chilton Manual. I live in Yuma, AZ but it's actually not that hot out here right now. I always hear the fuel pump prime when I turn the key to the ACC position. I'm going to replace the crank sensor today and let you know if that works. Thanks
Hey so I changed out the crankshaft sensor and I even changed the spark plug wires. I still can't get the car to turn over, it's still just cranking. If you have any new ideals, I'm up to trying anything. Thanks
I see you changed the wires. Does that mean that the plugs are all new as well? That's prolly the first place i would start. I was going to say the wires but you changed them already. Go for the plugs and then check the starter as well. These seem real obvious but hell, who knows.


