PT Cruiser

[tazzman]

Ok guys, daughter has a 2001 PT cruiser having problems. Ran fine Monday, went out Tues morning, started car and it immediately cut off. Would not start again. Took out fuse for the ignition/auto shut off, put it back in, you could something resetting itself. started car again, cut off again after a few seconds. Any ideas what the problem is? Got a 16 yr old that is having withdrawls because she doesn't have a car to drive. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[glhs837]

Hmm, could it possibly be the wrong key? The security system, when its detects a bad key, meaing one thats not programmed for that car, will do that. Also if you plug in an engine computer thats not programmed for that car, but thats not very likely. More likely is that the key is not the right one. Whatever you do, dont do that start stall thing more than three time, the fourth attempt, if tis the key, cna result in the engine computer locking itself, which requires a dealership tool to unlock.

[tazzman]

Nope, not the key. She only has one key to this car. Has been suggested that possibly could be a glitch with the alarm system not reading her key. What a pain this has become!!

[yankee44]

Is something plugging her exhaust? like the guts from her cadaletic (sp) converter. Had that happen to me once and it displayed the same symptoms as yours.

[thurley42]

I would say that your first problem would be it's a PT Cruiser...

sorry had to...

Did you try disconnecting the battery? This will reset the electronics and could possibly fix it.

It's a simple quick check that might save you alot of time and/or money...

[tazzman]

planning on disconnecting the battery this evening to see if that works. Don't worry, my daughter is already getting remarks from friends about it being a pt cruiser and that is the problem. She loves her car and I am happy with that. Just need to get the girl her wheels running again!

[glhs837]

Originally Posted by tazzman

Nope, not the key. She only has one key to this car. Has been suggested that possibly could be a glitch with the alarm system not reading her key. What a pain this has become!!

Could be. Heres one thing you can do. This will pull up any stored trouble codes.

Turn your key to the ON mode from the OFF position 3 times like this, OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-On. Note that ON is one place BACK from start. Just far enough that the gauges and warning lights on the cluster come on, but not so far the car starts. Count as you go, when you hit that third time, dont move the key, and watch the odometer.

After a minute or less, you should get one of two things.

Either a code like P0633, or it will say dONE. Let me know what you find. Now, did the car come with two keys, and she lost one, or did it not even come with a second key?

[tazzman]

will do that when I get home and let you know what I find out. she only got one key when she got the car. we found out later that the car came from an auction.

[glhs837]

Hmmm, if its lost memory of the key, then you will need to get it reporegrammed, and thats a pain. there might be a local locksmith thats so equipped, might not, if not, it might have to get towed to the nearest dealership. These vehicles have one of the best factory antitheft systems out there, but the downside is that when your on the outside, its a bugger to get back in. Let me know how the key dance ends up. I have class tonite, might not get back to you til late.

[tazzman]

Originally Posted by glhs837

Hmmm, if its lost memory of the key, then you will need to get it reporegrammed, and thats a pain. there might be a local locksmith thats so equipped, might not, if not, it might have to get towed to the nearest dealership. These vehicles have one of the best factory antitheft systems out there, but the downside is that when your on the outside, its a bugger to get back in. Let me know how the key dance ends up. I have class tonite, might not get back to you til late.

No problem. will let you know what I find out.