No start, not getting spark

[chughes]

Hello,

1998 Dodge Stratus ES 2.4L DOHC

I just replaced the head gasket, timing belt, water pump, and exhaust mani on my stratus I got everything hooked up except the serpentine belt and it won’t start. the timing is good, it is getting fuel (could smell it on the spark plug and on the compression tester was a little wet) and it has good compression on all cylinders. The problem is it is not getting spark, I pulled out a spark plug and had my dad crank it, and it got 1 spark then nothing every time. The coil is new, the plugs and wires are also new. Everything was working before I tore it apart, and I’m like 95% positive everything is hooked up correctly, minus the serp belt and I haven’t filled the coolant yet because I wanted to make sure it runs before I do that. When I crank it the rpms go up to like 100 – 300 and I do hear a kind of loud hissing sound from the engine not sure if that has anything to do with it.

Topic

[college man]

recheck your work. check that all crank and cam sensors are plugged back in. also look for any ground wires
loose or not attached.

[chughes]

Okay I checked it all about ten times and everything is hooked up correctly I checked the grounds on everything like the ignition coil, body, all the ground plugs, the engine head and block everything is grounded good. I charged the battery overnight so it’s got a good charge. I didn’t touch the crank sensor, but I checked and it is plugged in.

[SgtHuynh]

recheck your timing. make sure all marks line up @ number 1 top dead center.

[chughes]

Okay I will double check that, but would that have anything to do with it not getting spark?

[SgtHuynh]

Jumped time. computer can not calculate to trigger spark. Please correct me if I’m wrong, If I remember right crank and cam have to sync.

[EricTheCarGuy]

If it was running before you did the work the most likely cause is something you did during the repair, as suggested (and I know that you’ve done this) recheck your work and make sure everything is in time and plugged in correctly. Anytime something doesn’t work after you do work like that you are the #1 cause of the problem, don’t take it personally it’s just logic.

[chughes]

Thank you guys I found out the problem, one of the cam sprockets must have slipped when I was putting on the belt. Re-timed it and it started right up!

Lesson learned.

[college man]

Well done! thanks for posting the fix.C8-)

[EricTheCarGuy]

Well done, thanks for posting the fix it goes on to help others with similar issues.

[Author]

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