2006 PT starting problem

[SidToner]

Hey all,
I have a very peculiar problem that seems to confuse everyone that I have asked so far. I hope someone here will be able to help me before I have to start randomly trying different things to try to fix it.

Ok so here it goes... Whenever I try to start my car after it has been parked all day and there is also hot weather it refuses to start. The electrics come on (radio, windows, locks and lights). The only sound I hear is the fuel pump turning on. If I wait a while (sometimes seconds once however is was about 20 minutes) it will start right up like nothing was wrong at all. The battery has been replaced within the last couple of months. I doubt that it is the starter because i only have 49,000 miles on it and if i drive a while turn the car off it starts back up with no problem. Also it has no problems starting up during cool weather. Could it possibly have anything to do with the cabin heating up and affecting the ignition switch? has anyone heard of anything like this happening before?

Any help that can be given is greatly appreciated! (especially any that might be able to save me some cash )

[quicksilverdon]

Are you saying the car doesn't crank? Or starter turns, but engine doesn't catch?
I think you're saying starter since you hear only fuel pump.
Im my experience with cars, starters & alternators are random-failing devices - sometimes they just go, not mileage-dependent.
Having said that, it's not clear why starter would decide to work after a bit...
Get under and check the cabling - starters take a lot of amps. Look a grounding, condition of cables, etc...
Don't know....

[SidToner]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Are you saying the car doesn't crank? Or starter turns, but engine doesn't catch?

starter doesn't engage or anything. no sounds coming from it at all.

the part that puzzles me is that it only happens when we have hot weather...

[quicksilverdon]

How many miles on battery? Have battery checked.

[SidToner]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

How many miles on battery? Have battery checked.

the battery is about 2 months old so about 500 miles at most

[geronimo]

Sounds like an electrical problem. My guess is there's a wire somewhere with a ding or rip in it. When I first got my cruiser I had the same problem. Never found the culprit cable, but in the process of checking and reinforcing connections, it was fixed.

[Brofig]

I have a 2008 PT Cruiser I just got last month.
I have the problem, sometimes I will not be able to start the car...
if I wait 1 to 2 hours, then it will start right away.
but this is unacceptable.. so it has been to the dealer three times.
the last time He gave me a new Key and programed it.
this is supposed to solve the problem...
we'll see.

Prior to this, He also changed the wireless control module and reprogramed the system. this did not solve the problem.

Maybe this will help..
Good luck.

Brofig

[Hooligan]

Welcome to the Forum!!! Methinks they are throwing parts at it attempting to solve the problem, I hope the dealer is providing a set of wheels while they are trying to fix it.

[Teekypt]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Are you saying the car doesn't crank? Or starter turns, but engine doesn't catch?
I think you're saying starter since you hear only fuel pump.
Im my experience with cars, starters & alternators are random-failing devices - sometimes they just go, not mileage-dependent.

Yeah..that was my guess too...first thing I thought of was alternator...