Intermittent issue, wonder if anyone else has this

[justwondering]

I have a 2008 PT Cruiser which I bought used in 2012. I just put 121,000 miles on it, there were slightly over 34,000 when I got it. I put about 70-80 miles a day on it roughly. Occasionally when driving the warning lights on the dash(the ones that come on when the car is first started) will suddenly come on for a few seconds along with the speedometer/odometer needles quickly going back and forth a few times. Then when that's done you'll hear a chime like when a seatbelt is undone while a car is in motion. Sometimes that will happen a few times, other times only once. A few times the car has felt sluggish like it's briefly losing power but that doesn't last long.

This usually always happens somewhere in the 20-30 mile range of a drive, give or take a few miles. I've found that if I pull over and stop the car and start it again it won't happen for the remainder of that trip(it never has yet), which is usually only a few miles anyway. It used to happen only once every few weeks or months even. It seems to be doing it more frequently now, say a few times a week, on either the morning or evening drive but not usually both.

I would assume it's some sort of minor electrical issue. I had a shop check it out and they said it would be very complicated to figure out as there's like 12 different connections they'd have to look at.

Anyone else with a PT have this issue?

[NitroPT]

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[ptcruisersteve]

Welcome to the forum.

Do you carry many keys on your key ring?

[chuzz]

Welcome to the forum. I'd take a look at the speed sensor connection.

[ptcruisersteve]

Originally Posted by chuzz

Welcome to the forum. I'd take a look at the speed sensor connection.

Hi Chuzz, I thought the same thing you did but wouldn't that trigger a engine trouble code?

[Vengence]

Check the wiring between your steering wheel and the dash. You will need to take the plastic panels on the top and bottom off. You will need a philips screwdriver and a T15 or T20 Hex wrench I think it is called. idk, the star looking screwdrivers. But, more than likely it is the wiring in that area that needs to be fixed. Seen this plenty of times on youtube. Also shows how to fix it I believe. Ignition switch is the cause of it I believe. In that area, the ignition switch has a metal plate and the wires sometimes come loose and touch the metal part which shorts it out.

First Video is your issue (I believe) as you are describing it.

https://youtu.be/qF5m6WPdeGs

Second Video is a way to fix it, if that is the issue or if the wires are not too loose or broken/stripped.

https://youtu.be/Xl8B78vBDXk

[chuzz]

Originally Posted by ptcruisersteve

Hi Chuzz, I thought the same thing you did but wouldn't that trigger a engine trouble code?

I THINK it should, Steve, but we are dealing with a Mopar! LOL I used to have an uncle that told me if I was going to own Chrysler products, that I needed to carry a pocket full of alligator clips and fuses because I was sure going to need them. And HE owned Chrysler products, just like my Dad!

[wb2kki]

Had this issue one of the fixes was replace the ign switch. That did take care of my problem. Had other strange issues with the PT and my Jeep and in both of those cases had water in a connector under the dash.

If you change the ign switch be very careful not to break the pin coming from the lock. VERY EASY to do.
Good Luck!
Mike

[Grasshopper77]

I had the same issue with my 2008 PT Limited. Replaced the battery and cleaned the connections and all has been good for over a year now.