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PT Cruiser Electrical and Lighting Problems

323 messages,  Last post on Dec 22, 2012 at 4:12 PM

You are in the Chrysler PT Cruiser Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler PT Cruiser, Electrical, Wagon

    

Messages Page 27 of 33

#261 of 323 Re: I neeed help -2002 PT Cruiser [crm3] by merlinpw

Dec 08, 2009 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: crm3 (Nov 16, 2009 12:25 pm)
I also have a 2002 PT Cruiser that lost its gauges about a week ago. Took it to my mechanic who verified the cluster fuse (#10) was intact, cleaned body ground connection, and replaced the weak, original battery. VOILA!! ..... cluster gauges restored. He also found that his technical references spoke of intermittent cluster problems that were fixed with re-booting the cluster by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery; seems there might be a small microprocessor associated with the cluster.
 
Lost the gauges again yesterday. Disconnected and reconnected the battery and the gauges were again restored ....... but for how long until next time ...... ???
 
A mechanic on one of the web forums claiming to have some years of Chrysler service experience suggests it's likely a crack in the circuit board of the cluster and would require the whole unit to be replaced ..... UGH!! ..... probably $$$$!!
 
I hope this is a helpful observation for other owners.

#262 of 323 Parking Lights, Head Lights, Dash Lights, and Power Locks not working by jbeavers1388

Jan 11, 2010 (1:49 am)

I have a 2002 PT Cruiser with 116000 miles on her. She is the family car! The headlights, parking lights, dash lights, and the locks all stopped working. Just throwed up and stopped. Does anyone have any fixes for this problem. I have a minimum wage job with bills just like everyone eles. And if any ideas the Fog Lights come on all by them selves. So I had to take the fuse out. Please help me with this problem. Please! I gotta have this car!

#263 of 323 Re: Parking Lights, Head Lights, Dash Lights, and Power Locks not working [jbeavers1388] by jpf

Jan 13, 2010 (10:48 am)

Replying to: jbeavers1388 (Jan 11, 2010 1:49 am)
Sometimes when all the dash lights go crazy, it is a symptom of a weak battery. A place like Autozone may be able to test your battery for free. Good luck.

#264 of 323 Need U expertise on my PT PCM nightmare by PileofTurdcar

Jan 16, 2010 (3:08 pm)

Replying to: chdabren (Jan 11, 2008 7:24 pm)
C ~
***** PLEASE HELP ********
I've been reading your replies to individuals and I like that you are 'brutally honest' with them, it's a trait I emulate in abundance however I hope you can agree that PT convertibles are horribly made. If you can help me I will give you VIN #'s, whatever info you need. I am in a real pickle. I have 1 yr left to finance my 2005 PT that I put 6K down pymt on and it wont even start!!!! I have coddled and babied this car. Only servicing it at Chrysler dealerships--had "GO TOPLESS" airbrused on the back, totally pimped it out--i loved the way this car looked! Now, I am tempted to ruin my credit by having it voluntarily repossessed!!!!! I really dont want to deal with any of this nor can I afford to buy another car. The problem seems to be the PCM on my car however i would let you make that determination. My car was literally at the dealer 2 yrs ago for a MONTH AND A HALF while i had no rental even though my extended warranty from Chrysler allowed me one. During this month long venture my vehicle was supposedly given a new PCM chip which should've fixed the problem. I noticed the day i got it back that the fog light or light indicator on dash was still on when i got the car back but the dealer told me that it's fine and to never return to their dealership!! Now 2 yrs later the same symptoms my car had then is having all over again except this time it doesn't just stall, now it doesn't even start! My husband saw online that if you pull the 21 fuse it will start if the battery is not dead so we bought a new battery (3rd one so far) and tried it, it now works but everything electrical is just as messed up as it was when the PCM went a second time. Now I'd have to replace my power steering, my carlock key alarm system b/c locks me out of my car! etc, etc. This car is not even worth 3K so theres no way I'm paying a dealership who always lies to me to 'fix it' like they were supposed to the first time 2 yrs ago. HELP! (sorry for venting)

#265 of 323 Re: Need U expertise on my PT PCM nightmare [PileofTurdcar] by kycady

Jan 21, 2010 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: PileofTurdcar (Jan 16, 2010 3:08 pm)
I've been having ongoing problems with the "fog lamp"; battery went dead last year; theft system was blaimed year before by dealer & removed... On Tuesday I smelled buring while driving 70mpg on the highway. The fog light was on. Wednesday I went to grocery, when I pulled into driveway my lights handle beneath the steerwheel was smoking heavily. A contrail of smoke coming from the handle. I turned off the vehicle & the smoke continued. I was panicked. After getting my fire extinquisher, I monitered the wheel & removed all objects from the car & parked it in the driveway rather than garage. Called Chrysler dealer. Gave me 1-800-992-1997 to arrange for "Special Investigations" unit to come out. Will contact in 23-48hrs. Called today & requested rental vehicle. Have to wait til they call. This is a serious safety issue. FYI...
 
I have begun a blog on this & it is posted at:
 
http://kimcady.blogspot.com
 
 

#266 of 323 Goofy Dimmer lights by bear49

Jan 21, 2010 (8:29 pm)

My 2004 PT is acting strange. When I insert the key into the ignition the car dings like the lights are on, they aren't. Then when I start the car and turn the headlights on, the dome light comes on and stays on. I have to turn the dimmer switch into the off position before the dome light goes out. Also when starting off from a stop the car dings once. I'm wearing my seat belt. I've opened the door and manually closed the latch to see if that stops it, nope.. I'm thinking it is the turn signal/headlight/dimmer/Hazard assmbley. Any insights??

#267 of 323 Re: PT missfiring, engine bucking [pseres] by bear49

Jan 21, 2010 (9:00 pm)

Replying to: pseres (Mar 28, 2003 6:57 am)
I had that problem a few months ago, My PT has 105,000 on it. It was the Plugwires. I also had the dealer Flash the computer with no luck. Pulled the plugs out and seen the Carbon tracks down the side of the plugs. Replaced new Plugs and Plugwires. That fixed the problem for me.

#268 of 323 Re: Parking Lights, Head Lights, Dash Lights, and Power Locks not working [jpf] by radaasjoca

Jan 23, 2010 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: jpf (Jan 13, 2010 10:48 am)
jBeavers;to day i repaired the same problems on my sons 2002 PT. what i found was the power feed wire to the fuse block under the dash had burned in side of the gray molex plug. to repair i pulled out the 40AMP green fuse under the hood that was marked head lights.then under the dash i released the molex lock pulled it apart. i cut the red wire with a white stripe feeding the plug and the same wire on the other side of the plug. went and bought a 50AMP toggle swicth at the auto parts store and wired it between the two cut wires for a quick safety kill switch and problem sloved.All lights on again. good luck!

#269 of 323 Pt Crusier rear/ brake lights help by dcoffman

Jan 31, 2010 (1:10 pm)

Hi out there I have been trying to help out a friend, Pt Cruiser=Problem, the tail/brake lights keep blowing out at automated car wash or heavy rain, tried sealing up lens assembly, back of connectors got long life bulbs, any fix would be great! Thanks "D" Area 51 Racing Lucky 13 send to area51racinghotmail.com!

#270 of 323 Pt Rear light bulbs blown-car wash or heavy rain by dcoffman

Feb 10, 2010 (3:54 pm)

Here is the fix, at the area were you untwist the harness to replace the bulb, next to this is a post. In this post there is a hole-fill with water proof calk, use alot on the outside area facing you, this area gets hit by a strong blast of water.
"D" Area 51 Racing Lucky 13

Messages Page 27 of 33

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