2 weeks ago I was driving to work, I was sitting at a red light and the car died, but it started right back up not problems whatsoever. I continued down the road and stopped at another red light (maybe 5 or so minutes since the last red light) and the tempurature gauge shut up to Hot and I wasn't far from work so I tried to make it there but it stalled and died again. Ever since then I have not been able to get it to start back up. The engine turns as if it's really trying to start but won't spark. I replaced the fuel pump and the coil pack and it still does not start. Also, since I changed the coil pack, the engine will still not spark. Any idea to what it may be? I really know nothing about cars at all, I have been taking advice from other people and have decided to come here as a last resort, if nothing gives I plan to just tow it to a mechanic and get an experienced POV.

I want to point out that before any of this started, my car has had no problems.. no sputtering, no dying, nothing whatsoever. I'm really confused.

 

I think something broke. My idea would be to check the timing belt. maybe crank sensor, cam sensor, asd relay, pcm, wiring, ignition switch.

 

Do the key trick and see if you have an 11. No spark is asd circuit related. Cam or crank sensor, relay, wireing or coil. (of course computer and timing belt and timing related subsystems also are involved... But that's about everything in that circuit.). Do you have any codes?

 

i don't know what you mean by "key trick". however, there is no code showing. i plan to check the timing belt tomorrow. i replaced the coil already, but it still doesn't spark.

 

Key trick refers to the key-code-retrevial method. I was just talking about this on another post and how the odb ii scan tool can be a bit off on the 97 3.5. Anyway try turning the key from on to run three times and then stop on run (where run is not where the engine turns over). The engine light will start to flash. Count the 2 digit codes and let
me know. The last code is 55.

Now as for what your malfunction of no spark could
be, yes the belt. Also the asd circuit to include relays. There is a failure to start test that can help isolate your problem. Try the key trick first and then let me know

 

i'm not sure i counted right, was rather confusing.

it blinked once, paused.. so that must be 1, then it blinked twice.. so there's 2 then it paused and blinked 3 times, and then paused and 3 more times and then 5 and then 5. so is the code 123355? or 1855? is it just 2 two digits numbers?

 

12
33
55

12 = battery was disconnected or dead at some time over the past 255 key cycles
33 = oxygen sensor.
55 = codes done.


nothing here has anything to do with no start

 

well, i'm completely lost. can you tell me where to locate each one of these?

crank sensor
cam sensor
asd relay
pcm
and ecu

 

Any quality mechanic can easily fix the problems you are having. it would be BEST to go that route.

pcm = ecu same part under air cleaner assembly
crank sensor in the transmission bellhousing, need to jack up car and crawl underneath to access
cam sensor on front of engine on driver side top
ASD relay in fuse block right under the hood

 

thanks, i'm making the mechanic my last resort. i don't know any good ones around and still looking. don't want to be cut a huge bill because they know i'm uneducated and will fix something small and change me for something big. i've heard stories.