IF I TRY AND START MY 2001 DODGE STRATUS AND THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO TURN OVER BUT IT DOESNT WAT DOES THAT MEAN

SOURCE: 2001 Dodge Stratus Overheating

Sounds like you may have a thermostat that is failing or your engine may have had a temporary vapor lock. First of all check your coolant level if that seems fine replace your thermostat. As far as being on high until you shut your heater off is probably just coincidence because when your heater is on it is helping to dissipate the heat from your coolant system.

SOURCE: location of thermostat on 2001 dodge stratus

It's not the most convenient location, but if you follow to top radiator hose back to where it meets the engine, that is the thermostat housing. It should have the radiator hose and a heater hose hooked up to it. Here's the shop manual directions for changing it, if you want them. The following instructions come from my Hanes Repair Manual #25040 for the replacement of a thermostat on the 2.7 L engine:

1. Raise the vehicle and place it securely on jackstands. Remove the right front wheel. Remove the accessory drivebelt splash shield.
2. Remove the accessory drivebelts.
3. Remove the lower alternator mounting bolt.
4. Lower the vehicle.
5. Disconnect the alternator electrical connectors.
6. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the air conditioning compressor.
7. Remove the oil dipstick and the dipstick tube. Plug the hole in the oil pan with a clean shop rag to prevent debris from entering the pan.
8. Remove the rest of the alternator mounting bolts and then remove the alternator.
9. Loosen the hose clamps and then disconnect the two hoses from the thermostat housing cover.
10. Remove the thermostat housing cover bolts and then remove the housing.
11. Note how the thermostat is installed, with the "jiggle valve" at the 12 o'clock position, and then remove the thermostat.
12. Remove all traces of sealant from the housing and coverr with a gasket scraper.
13. Install the thermostat housing cover and then tighten the bolts to the correct torque.
14. Reattach the hoses to the thermostat housing cover. Make sure that the hose clamps are still tight.
15. The remainder of the installation is the reverse of the removal.
16. When you're done, refill the cooling system.
17. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature, then check for leaks and proper thermostat operation.

SOURCE: heater not blowing hot but engine not overheating

The coolant thermostat needs replaced or you need a coolant flush. Heater cores (in the dashboard) often clog and stop warm coolant from circulating into the heater. A coolant flush would cure this. Flushes usually run from 70 to 90 dollars to have done at a service shop.

SOURCE: 2001 dodge stratus check engine light with code

P0442 is a medium evaporative system leak detected. Check your gas cap and make sure it is on tight and the rubber seal is in good shape. If it was loose, tighten it and the check engine light will exstinguish after a few days on its own. If not this usually means there is a small hose in the system that has developed a small split. It could be several other things as well, it is "usually" a hose. You need to take it to a shop that can proform diagnostics to locate the leak.

Here is a list of possable causes;
POSSIBLE CAUSES
LEAK AT GAS CAP

EVAP PURGE SOLENOID OPERATION

INTERMITTENT LDP MONITOR FAILURE

EVAPORATIVE EMISSION LEAK DETECTION

GAS CAP

LDP COMPONENT LEAK

SOURCE: my 1997 dodge stratus 2.4l 4cylinder wont start

check your relay box (under the hood black box) for corrosion, just had that on my van and it was a blown relay fuse from a bad connector. Also there might be an issue with the distributor itself (the thing the coil conects to) as that is symptomatic of that. To start- and for sake of ease- wiggle the black box after reseating the fuses (not the clear top ones yyou can see them blown without removing) give the box a good wiggle and a tap or two (not he-man taps mind you) while someone tries to start it. if this all is useless please let me know.