Hello Everyone,

Just bought a 2000 Stratus 2.4L SE. When I bought it, they told me the ECM needed replacing and THAT WAS IT. I installed a new ECM programmed with my car's VIN and Mileage. That didn't work. Here is the issue:

When I cut on the ignition, the oil light stays on. Oil levels are fine. Engine will turn over but never start. I found a hose leading from behind the intake manifold to nothing (someone disconnected). The hose connection isn't directly in the middle on the back of the manifold.. more to the right.

I'm attaching pictures of the other end of the hose (that broke off). Can anyone identify this hose and where it's suppose to go? Any advice on what might be preventing it from starting would be great!

I checked also that the engine is getting spark. I can also hear the fuel pump prime when I cut the car on. Thank you for any help!

 

With the engine not running I would think the oil light should be on. As for the hose...brake booster hose? That would make a huge vacuum leak and could cause a no start.

For a temp solution I would just plug the hose and see if the car will start.

 

Thank you for the help HouseApe! Well I plugged the hose and it was still a no go. I'll have to take a detailed picture of the hose location b/c I'm still not 100% sure it's the brake booster hose. But good news is I know why it won't start now....

If a timing belts slips 3 or 4 teeth.. it makes everything seem like its failing on the car. Before I determined it was the timing belt, here is the symptoms I was having with the car. Maybe this can help someone out in the future.

- Engine compression at around 60 (way to low.. rings? leaky valve?)
- Fuel injectors shut down after a couple sprays (makes ya wanna think ASD)
- Engine will not try to start with a shot of ether in the intake (that badly out of timing)
- Unhooking the cam and crank sensors actually makes the engine sound like it wants to start
- The cars computer reports no rev's during attempted cranks
- Fuel pressure was at 49 psi (WTF? I got fuel pressure! lol)

Anyways... It's been a headache and still is. I'll post updates after I work on it some more....

 

Welcome to DF
Did you say the compression is 60 pounds? If it is,try adding oil to the cylinder and try the compression test again.If it comes ups,then you may have gas wash down the cylinder bores or you have bad rings.

 

Tried that test and the compression did not change at all. Do you think valves are bent?

Finally found a picture of the vacuum hose location I was trying to find. Is this the brake booster hose running to the firewall?

 

My best guess is that the valves are bent the timing belt probably slipped or broke.
The 2.4 eng can bend valves if this happens.
I would replace the head or have it repaired. Change the timing belt and the water pump.