The clutch on my 2001 Dodge Stratus won't engage when I press down the clutch when starting up. Sometime have to pump the clutch while turning the key until it catches and the engine turns over.

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: 1997 DODGE STRATUS 2.4 PCM FUSE BLOWS

Do you have engine check light on? if so scan it with OBD 2 tool and you should have a fault code! to go on!

SOURCE: My 2002 Dodge Neon will not start. I have changed the plugs...

HEY! I JUST changed my camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor yesterday and I had the EXACT same problem. Now it starts right up for me perfectly, BUT I now have ANOTHER issue. The Engine seems to have lost all power, it will hardly move when it is put in gear, I'm lucky if I can go above 5MPH!

But yea, if your check engine light is on, turn your key(don't try to start it) back and forth 3 times, once you have turned the key the third time, you SHOULD get a code you can look up in the repair manual. The code will either be a readable code: ei P01684, which is the code for battery disconnection, or your check engine light will flash a series of times, stop, then flash again. Depends on your dashboard. If you have the electronic mileage meter, you will get the readable code. If you are unsure of how to perform this very simple home diagnostics test, you can also RENT the actual plug in tester from AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts. I hope this helps you, I figured my problem out the hard way ei MECHANIC= EXPENSIVE!

SOURCE: 2000 Dodge Stratus - loud grinding squeal noise

if you have climate control the a/c comp. comes on
intermitently if the clutch is going bad thats a suspect also the idler pully bearing could be tired
or the ps pump could be binding.
one way to narrow the field is the next you shut it off
after driving a short time see if any of the is noticably
hotter than the others thats a place to start.
hope this helps good luck

SOURCE: My 04 dodge intrepid won't start I turn the key

could be a lot of things from spark plugs to crank sensors. id check the spark plugs first but dodge has a big problem with crank sensors going out though. but it could b a number of things other than that