Problem Starting 02 PT Cruiser

[DavidH]

Hello,
I'm glad to have found this forum. Hopefully someone here will know what i'm talking about! I hope I am in the correct forum. I am trying to help my girlfriend with her 02 PT Cruiser.

She has a strange problem. Her car will start fine for weeks and sometimes months at a time. Then all of a sudden it won't start, you can't jump it off or anything. When this happens we can usually get it started by hitting what I believe is the starter solenoid with a metal rod a few times to make it spark i guess. Once this happens it will start and will continue to for another week or month or whatever until it happens again.

Any ideas what this could be or how it could be fixed so that she can depend on it starting?
Thanks for any help!!!

[garyerrol]

First thought would be that you need to have the starter replaced. Probably have a solenoid that is every once in a while sticking for some reason. It could have something that the plunger catches on until you smack it with something hard that makes it let loose. Any number of possibilities. Are you sure the connections at the starter are nice and tight. If you had a loose cable, maybe when you hit it, it nudges the connections tight again for a while. Personally I'd take it to a shop that specializes in automotive electrical problems and let them figure it out.

[CREWZIN]

9 out of 10 chances it's the solenoid but they don't sell the solenoid separate from the starter. I did here of an owner that took off the start/solenoid and had it rebuilt by an electrical shop so if your handy and can get the solenoid/starter out your self you can save some money.

[DavidH]

Oh ok this is helpful thanks guys. So there is no separate solenoid for purchase? What would be a good place and a fair price for the new starter solenoid combo in that case?
Thanks again!

[CREWZIN]

Doing a fast search I found them anywhere from $99 to $160, depending on brand name, new or reconditioned.

[DavidH]

Thanks again, sorry but I don't know much about this. Do you have to order one that says starter/solenoid combo or do they all just automatically come together? Also, I don't suppose you guys have the exact part number. I would hate to get the wrong one!

[CREWZIN]

My parts catalog is missing that section ( ripped off on eBay when I bought the catalog) so I can't get you the number but wherever you order it from should get you the right part if you give them the right information.

The starter will come with the solenoid attached...