Computer Died...

[G2_00]

I have a 2003 PT GT Turbo... Ummm... it has around 80200 miles on it. I swear this car is possessed by Satan. In the last year, we got a new gas cap because of codes. We got a new alternator. We had to replace the coolant reservoir just a few weeks ago! Now we took it in today...

The fans throw out hot air when it is supposed to be cold. When the AC is on, the car shakes, rattles, and "vrooms" (the sound) without any gas and when in park. It overheats when idling and cools when you move. When it overheats? Right before it does so, you will hear the burbling, gurgling, boiling sound and feel the car moving like the liquid is boiling. I checked it when it happened today, and it even LOOKED like the coolant was boiling.

After hours of tests (for which our wonderful mechanic said he wouldn't charge us), they have said the computer is dead. That we have to go to a dealer. My mom wants to know a ball park figure, since I fear she is about to cry.

Luckily we have six months for her to save, since I don't need a car next semester. But she is also still paying off my ankle reconstruction surgery bills from six months ago. Everything kinda hits at once, huh?

[CREWZIN]

Sounds like an easy fix to me. You said, "overheats when idling and cools when you move." Sure sounds like the radiator fan is your problem. A common fault on every PT.

[Busted_PT]

Originally Posted by G2_00

I have a 2003 PT GT Turbo... Ummm... it has around 80200 miles on it. I swear this car is possessed by Satan. In the last year, we got a new gas cap because of codes. We got a new alternator. We had to replace the coolant reservoir just a few weeks ago! Now we took it in today...

The fans throw out hot air when it is supposed to be cold. When the AC is on, the car shakes, rattles, and "vrooms" (the sound) without any gas and when in park. It overheats when idling and cools when you move. When it overheats? Right before it does so, you will hear the burbling, gurgling, boiling sound and feel the car moving like the liquid is boiling. I checked it when it happened today, and it even LOOKED like the coolant was boiling.

After hours of tests (for which our wonderful mechanic said he wouldn't charge us), they have said the computer is dead. That we have to go to a dealer. My mom wants to know a ball park figure, since I fear she is about to cry.

Luckily we have six months for her to save, since I don't need a car next semester. But she is also still paying off my ankle reconstruction surgery bills from six months ago. Everything kinda hits at once, huh?

Sounds like you got some issues but nothing you said so far sounds like a computer to me. Over heating will cause every issue you have. The cooling fan is mot likely one of your biggest contributors.

[G2_00]

Unfortunately, they fixed the fan and it is still having... issues. We kinda wanna try an exorcism on this car. In the past year it has probably had $750 in repairs alone.

And he did this after I lovingly gave him a bath and cleaned the seats. Ungrateful little car. Always looking for more attention.

[XtrmDC2]

If you need a computer is about $250 and you can swap it yourself in 10 minutes...

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser ECM/PCM

[NeosCruiser]

Originally Posted by G2_00

Unfortunately, they fixed the fan and it is still having... issues. We kinda wanna try an exorcism on this car. In the past year it has probably had $750 in repairs alone.

And he did this after I lovingly gave him a bath and cleaned the seats. Ungrateful little car. Always looking for more attention.

Everything your saying all coincides with a faulty fan, parts are known to go bad even if they are new, i would have someone "not the dealer or an autoshop" look at it. (to get an unbiased opinion, not based on "ohhh a woman or a young person, ill be able to sucker into an unneeded overly expensive repair). I know not all shops do this there are many that are honest, where i live, there are not so many, a girl i work with just paid 500 bucks to have a starter replaced on her cavalier. anyways i got off track.. Maybe they could even check to see if the fan is even plugged in, and, or even hook the battery straight to the harness of the fan to see if it spins. I dont believe the computer would cuase the engine to overheat, just my opinion, and have never seen that happen.

[Busa_Powered]

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[VNT]

if a 2003 GT he will have seizure when he sees the price of the fan!

Sounds like his fan is not working and causes all the conditions he describes.

He also needs a mechanic more familiar with PT's

[G2_00]

I just got it back from our mechanic with an explanation. The fan motor is not working in synch with the pcm. What is happening is that it is apparently sending the signal to switch on and off at the wrong times. The fan runs, it works now. It just doesn't run when it is supposed to, causing everything to overheat. I could do without the AC (I don't use it anyway, preferring to drive with the windows open). I just can't handle a car that overheats after a 2 mile drive when it is a 250 mile drive to my school.

In the past year, it has had a new alternator and a new gas cap and a new coolant reservoir with a flush. The radio seems to have died, refusing to pick up signal. The check engine light goes on very frequently. I'm sad to say, but it looks like the car is trying to tell me something. Currently driving my brothers 2005 Hyundai Accent, since he has a car and no license.

Thanks for the ideas guys. Just feeling a little down right now. Loved the car ever since my mom got it from Carmax, and then had the fortune of receiving it when I got my license and receiving the title when I graduated from high school (family tradition). It is a joy, when it works.

[mdfrodolives]

G2, take it to the dealer. Have them check the fan--despite what your mechanic said.

Tim