Why wont a 97 eclipse turn over?

Multiple causes:

• dead battery
• starter motor problems
• engine siezed

Firstly is your battery dead? Does it try to turn over, make a click, or does it do nothing? How often do you get or do oil changes, filter changes and other required standard maintenance? Does it have a timing belt or a timing chain?

Check the battery first and don't forget the terminals for corrosive acid (the things the battery is plugged into). Check spark plugs, spark plug wires, (some cars have coil packs but I don't think they shouldn't go bad), distributor position if applicable (AKA timing), check the distributor cap for cracks or other damage, test coil/coil wire, check fused [located usually under the dash somewhere most often under steering wheel area], check relays and fuses under the hood.

More than likely it is either your spark plugs or wires or both: especially if you never have the oil & oil filter changed. Which you should do every couple thousand miles or whatever your owners manual says. Standard maintenance is a must for ANY car to last.