I'll stick my neck out...

[bentfork]

Hello folks. I'm new to the forum. I joined with the hope of getting help concerning my turbo Cruiser's ignition problem. After extensive reading it appears the ignition problem with Cruisers is an epidemic. It appears that the Cruiser has an inherit ignition problem that isn't easily fixed. Someone changes the coil and it fixes it for a week. Some change the plugs and wires and that lasts a month. Some change everything associated with the secondary circuit and sensors for cams and whatnot and the check engine light and random misfires continues. Does anyone care to chime in and post what they did that DID fix their problem? Permanently - or at least for let's say more than 25K miles?

I usually do my own work, but recently I've had to succumb to using a mechanic that I've used and known for 20 years. Even he has been baffled by the re-occurrence of error codes and number of coil replacements and the problem still points to the coil. Today he called to say he found the number 1 plug tube filled with oil. Obviously that's not good. But will the fix actually fix the latest random misfires and check engine light? I'm betting that will last two weeks and it'll be back. What do you say?

Gary

[soonercruiser]

EPIDEMIC!
You mean like the Bird Flu; or the plague???
(I generally don't get hung up on words. But, now that Mr. Obama says that words are so important!)
As a medic by training, I believe the word "epidemic" is being mis-used here! After being on several international PT sites for over two years, it seems that the current poster + two current members chiming in (with over a thousand members registered here) falls far short of an epidemic.
I understand the frustration with the problem. But, I've had both Ford & Chrysler prodicts that occassionally get a "hard to diagnose" problem.
-The PT Cruiser does have well know "weakness" with OEM ignition parts, such as the plugs & wires. But, the ignition coil is something that most of the "techies" say is plenty good enough for non-racing use; even in the turbo.
-This is like a difficult dental problem. You need to find a really good electrical mechanic to work through it! That's why I drive 40+ miles to get to my regular dealership, even for oil changes. And, I hope we all do as good a job picking our doctors!

[soonercruiser]

And, to add more....as QSD said on another thread..
QUOTE=quicksilverdon;250542]A lot of us have been owners and on PT forums form many years, and I can tell you that coil problems are not very common. Ignition wires are bad (stock ones), but very few coil problems.

The oil on the plug - the plugs are in deep recesses in valve cover. Each recess has a seal - the valve cover comes off & seal gets replaced. Again, not common, but it happens.

Most ignition problems are the wires,
other causes - cam position sensor, MAF sensor, IAT (Intake air Temp) sensor, PCV and EGR valves, and intake manifold leaks.

No parts on any car are 100%, but I play the "averages" of what's most common first.[/QUOTE]

[MX-5]

I've had several members asking about the coils. Here's today's message and my answer.

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My Cruiser has had an ignition problem off and on for about 10 months for which the coil has been changed 3 times and who knows how many spark plugs and wires. We thought our problem was corrected 10 months ago but alas it has returned.

To make a long story short, the latest occurrence was diagnosed by my mech as being caused by an oil filled #1 plug tube possibly shorting out the secondary. After the oil problem was fixed and new wires and plugs were installed, plus an injector/induction cleaning was performed it ran fine...until I took it for a test drive. The mech cleared the codes. Sorry I don't remember the original codes, but they were ignition related. Anyway, I took it for a drive with all being okay for a half mile and the check engine light came on and the car wouldn't pull itself out of a water puddle. I managed to limp it back to my mech. The new code is a P2302 saying the #1 has insufficient ionization possibly caused by blah, blah, blah.

Got any ideas? As mentioned the coil, plugs, and wires were changed today...again. And we are not using OEM.




I've read your messages and have seen no mention of anyone using the Chrysler factory DRB-III scanner to actually look at the datastream. Not one in any forum post has ever referred to test results from oscilloscope testing the waveforms.
Without REAL test data, throwing parts at it or looking for a Silver Bullet online is not the answer.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it's the only way to fix the car.

As the only tech in my area with factory dealer scanners, an automotive degree, and an electronics degree, I get these kind of complaints all the time from other garages and even dealerships. I fix what they can't.
I have also worked for more than 100 different PT Cruiser owners in 3 different countries. Add to that, over 1000 tech questions answered by me at PTdiy.net........ and I can tell you that not one single coil pack has needed replacement for a coil failure. It's always something else causing the concern.

[ma79915]

Im new to this forum and i have a question about the exact same problem if there is no spark in cylinders #2 and #3 but there is spark in #1 and #4 the ignition coil is good because i checked it the ignition coil harness runs from the coil to the ecm and the only two cylinders that are affected run the same wire to the ecm the ecm should be to blame ?? its 2005 pt cruiser 2.4 turbo