Will not turn over

[warnockdonald]

My friend has a 2004 pt cruiser.When he was coming home four days ago it died in the middle of the road.he had it towed and started troubleshooting on it.It will not turn over with the key.If you jump the starter out it will turn over but doesn't fire through the plugs.He replaced the ignition switch and that didn't make any difference.Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Hooligan]

Donald, first thing we need to know is, how many miles on the car? I would think timing belt if he is close to or over 100,000 miles. There is an inspection plate to look thru on the timing belt housing. Has ANY maintenance been performed at all?

[warnockdonald]

It has 72,000 miles on it.If the timing belt was broke it would turn over fast because the cam wouldn't be turning wouldn't it?It won't turn at all.We hooked my scanner up to it and it wouldn't power up the scanner.The scanner wouldn't ever link to the car.It wasn't getting any power from the port to the scanner.

[warnockdonald]

Any suggestions? Anybody?

[quicksilverdon]

Engine computer?
When you jump the starter, you using battery in the car? I mean, is battery okay?
Check engine light on?

[warnockdonald]

Yes when we jumped the starter it was with the vehicle's battery without any assistance.It has a new battery that was installed a few weeks ago. The voltage is 12.7.

[CREWZIN]

Sounds like your computer took a dump. To test if the timing belt is still in one piece, take off the Camshaft Position sensor and turn over the engine. Watch the space where the sensor came off and see if it's turning. That's the end of one of the cams and if the belt is good it will be turning and of course if it's not turning while your cranking, the belt has broken.
That's a little thing I picked up from my mechanic.

[warnockdonald]

I thought it could be the computer to.But will that keep it from turning over with the key?

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by warnockdonald

I thought it could be the computer to.But will that keep it from turning over with the key?

I don't know for a fact if it would but, the computer has a hand in everything that's happening with the engine.

[slartyblarfast]

With out being able to lay hands on it, my first inclinations are either PCM or SKIM. If the SKIM module went bad it could make it die and then after 3 starts it will lock out the PCM from starting or even cranking.
If the PCM dies it could cause this issue. You're going to need a scan tool to see if you can communicate with PCM or SKIM. Could also have a blown fuse for the PCM. That will cause the same issue.