Last week I drove my 2000 Chrysler 300m around all day. It sat outside for about 30 minutes and when I tried to start it again it would not start. Its cranking just not firing. Tried a few times but it simply would not start. All the lights, etc. come on, sounds like it really wants to start but it won't.

Thought it was the fuel pump at first - initially got a low pressure reading, but then pressure seemed fine. Seems the timing belt looked like it was 'shredding' so we replaced that. Problem persists. Its sending some weird readings off - not only fuel pressure but odd things like coolant temp of 177 then -31 degrees?? Not sure what the hell is going on...thinking could be the PCM.

Anyone have any insight?

 

any codes in the computer before the battery was disconnected?

 

Fuel pump rare failure. Pressure needs to be 59 psi (+-5) at all times KOEO, KOER.
Coolant temp (suspect these are scanner readings) could be a poor connection or ground. (This will not prevent the car from starting.)
Even though it cranks, check and clean all battery + and - connections from the battery and jump posts.
Have seen a few instances where a crank position sensor failure ( without codes) have prevented these 3.5 from starting. (OEM sensor only aftermarket dont last.
Look around here www.300mclub.org

 

Not sure if there were any codes before battery was disconnected. I will check out the crank position sensor though. The mechanic who suggested the PCM is very experienced (works on all cars, mostly classic though) but it seemed he was just guessing to was that because he couldn't find anything else wrong.

I like this freaking car, even with its 200k+ miles, so just want to fix what's ailing it properly without breaking the bank (if I had bank I'd be running an '07 or so 300!)

Thanks for any further insight or suggestions.