2001 PT Cruiser Won't Start

[Wolfpeach]

My 2001 PT will not start. It sat in the driveway for 5 months while my son, who was the main driver of the car, was away for Army BAT/AIT. Initial attempt at starting the car gave a high-pitched whine, which meant that the starter was not engaging the flywheel, so I replaced it and now sounds like it is engaging properly. I can confirm that the cylinders are getting gas from the smell and wet spark plugs, which were replaced along with the plug wires. Each plug was then tested to ensure that they were firing. I can also confirm that timing belt is intact as the cam shaft is turning and I verified this by taking off the camshaft position sensor and seeing the camshaft rotating when cranking the engine. When attempting to start, it sounds like the engine is not fully cranking like it did before it sat for months. Battery is fully charged using my home charger.

I'm at a loss as to what to look into next. At this point, my only option is to have it towed to my mechanice and let him diagnose the problem. But before I do that, I wanted to put this problem out there to the forum to see if you all had any ideas as to what the issue could be.

Thanks in advance.

[Busted_PT]

Have you tried boosting it? There are some grounds behind the air cleaner box the could need cleaned. Check the harness from the cam sensor to the crank sensor for critter damage or bad connection. Make sure all the cable ends are clean. Battery side as well as the other end. Just some thing to eliminate.

[Wolfpeach]

Busted_PT,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check the connections to to make sure.

When you say "boosted", do you mean a shot of ether?

[ptcruisersteve]

I believe boosted means to have another car running next to it with jumper cables from that car battery to your car battery and after a few minutes try starting it.

[dud3iknow]

also try looking at the theft module around the ignition
pt's do have them just disconnect it and see if it starts.
worth a try.

[commosutra]

was it cranking but not starting?

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by Wolfpeach

Busted_PT,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check the connections to to make sure.

When you say "boosted", do you mean a shot of ether?

Diethyl ether - starting fluid - is a good idea, too.
If you have any spark at all, that stuff will ignite.

[domsob1974]

So, you have confirmed that you have spark, and you have confirmed that you have fuel. Hmmm... you didn't mess with any of the wiring? Have you tried to scan it real quick to see if any codes pop up? I did a rebuild recently and even though my car didn't start (it just cranked) it threw codes. If you want to try it, then it is worth a shot.

1) Put key in ignition
2) Turn key to On (but NOT start)
3) Flip back to off
4) Turn it ON 3 times and OFF twice in 5 seconds like this:
On--Off--On--Off--On (and then leave it on)
If you did it right then codes starting with the letter P will display in the odometer window on the dash. If you just get the normal 111111,222222, etc, then try again until you either get a code, a ---, or a "done". Write down all codes and post them

Worth a shot