I have been targeting the TRS as the culprit but according to this schematic, it appears that the 97 model does not have a TRS. Can someone verify this for me please?

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Welcome to the Forum, I have a 98 Avenger Coupe,2.5L motor. Never had a problem from it, perhaps you could describe more of the actual symptoms of your ride and what you have found that does get it to start. Ijust have the Haynes book at hand for it and wife has the car at work right now. But one thing I have learned is the various main ground wire connection (battery to motor and body) are important for having good CLEAN connections.
Can you confirm what motor yours is also please? As the older sebring coupe and Avenger are the same.

 

Thanks for the reply. The engine is a 2.5L. I fixed that problem already and im on to the power steering now. The problem is hard steering and the pump squeals the belt when turning. It had been into a wreck and cracked the right front rim and damaged the inner tie rod. What would most likely be the cause of the hard steering and pump struggles, the rack or the pump? And is there any tests to find out which one is damaged without replacing both?

 

Most likely the rack is damaged if a rim was smashed also, but if you have been operating it for any length of time the pump can be damaged also. It is not loosing P/Steering fluid is it?

 

I also assumed the rack was damaged due the direct impact it had received. But then I read somewhere that racks are nearly indestructible and the only problems that can go wrong with them are seal leakage unless you actually feel and hear mechanical damage, in which I do not. I have not performed a thorough leak check yet but I did have to add a little bit of fluid. I will do that today and post back my discoveries.