very poorly pt

[studentnurse33]

Please can someone give me some advice?? Something is stressing me out!! My beloved car!!
(52 plate, limited, almond)
This is an intermittent but ongoing problem a quick rundown......
Feb 04, Car either not starting or cutting out about 2 mins into journey - usually on a bend when slowing to change gear - feels like no steering and no brakes which is very scary!! Dealer takes car in but cannot identify problem. Cold weather stops and problem stops.

Feb 05. Cold weather and the old problem happens again. Dealer takes car in and again says they cannot identify the problem. I insist that they leave her outside garage for one more night......it doesn't start for them in the morning. After 5 days they phone and say that they've changed the "climate sensor" or something ?? I bring the car home and last week I'm taking my 4 year old to nursery when turning at a junction the car cuts out and I'm heading for a parked car and the car feels like 20 ton!! So i call chrystler cover and off she goes to the dealer again.

I've just phoned the dealer and they say the computer is not identifying any problems?? I've to go and collect her tomorrow.
What should I do? I admit that I'm petrified that it happens again. I find it hard to control the car when she cuts out and I'm scared I'm going to have an accident. But as the dealer says it doesn't happen with them they can't do anything to help.

My other concern is that her warranty runs out in October and as this seems to be linked to cold weather then I'm going to be left to sort this out at my expense when the problem has been there since I bought her brand new.

I know you guys are hot on this stuff so does anyone have any advice for me?? Plllleeeeaaaassseeee help!!

Lynn
Dumfries and Galloway
Scotland

[milPT]

Thats a tuff problem, I don't know. I am sure someone will. I do know that your car is hard to control when it turns off because all the power goes out. Power steering turns to manual steering and it takes more muscle to control. Hope you find out whats going on with your PT...

[quicksilverdon]

I posted on UKCruisers - Welcome here, by the way...
My bet is it's ignition. The stock plugs & leads (wires) are trash.
It's the only problem I've had with my PT in 85,000 miles - plugs & leads. Only if it's severe enough will it trigger an error code - mine never did. Replaced plugs twice and leads (wires) once. I put in Crane wires and Champion Platinum plugs, gapped at 0.042" and cured my problem(s).
Let us know what it was.

[gonzomania]

welcome student nurse, I'm sure someone will get to the bottom of it.
We need some info. like how many miles on the car, have you ever had the plugs and ignition wires replaced, throttle body been cleaned. I agree with QSD that the ignition wires might be breaking down.

[SuGamer]

I agree with Quicksilverdon. Do exactly like he said. The spark plugs should have been changed twice going on the third time now. I also agree with Gonzomania about the throttle body, although it probably would hesitate before it shuts off, and you didn't mention any hesitation. Ask the dealership to check the Sentry Key IMmobilizer. The SKIM could be whats giving you the headache by suddenly losing identification of the key and shutting the engine off to prevent someone from stealing the car without the proper key.

[2step]

studentnurse33........
Be sure to keep all your paper work together. The dealer should give you a printed report each time you bring your car in for any kind of check up or service. This is your proof that the trouble started BEFORE the warranty was over. They are still responsible to correct the problem even after the warranty expires. The more documentation that you have, the stronger your case. If you haven't keep the print outs from last year, then just write out a note stating the date and all that happened and what the dealer did and said.

The fact that it happens while making a turn and loosing the power steering can be dangerous. Make a note of all circumstances such as warm or cold engine, wet or dry, speed, hard starting before or after it happens, what accessories are turned on, etc. This will help your dealer service to pinpoint the problem. Because they haven't yet cured the problem, you must assume that it's still there. Insist that they drive the car and try to reproduce the stalled condition, not just check it in the service shop. Take your car back to them whenever you won't need it for a few days and tell them the issue is still happening. (Let them think this is true.) You want to make them feel a greater sense of urgency.

The problem could be fuel related, loose wire/electrical or electronic. The fact that it does not cause a trouble code to be stored makes me think the ignition switch or system is cutting out for some reason. [:I]

I know this makes it impossible to enjoy your Cruiser and I wish you luck in getting this taken care of.

[studentnurse33]

Thanks to all replies
Well I picked up my baby this afternoon and I asked to speak to the guy in charge.
He admits that there is a problem and agrees that it needs to be sorted. So that was a good start. When I mentioned that I'd been on the cruiser forums he promised the earth!!! Does your reputation go before you??? Ha ha!!
So this is what he is doing;
He is contacting Chrystler in the USA for help and guidance. There is no technicians report......or something similar attached to this problem. But he did say that perhaps owners are having a similar problem but not reporting it because it is intermittent and therefore a report will not be made.
I forgot to say this problem was also running alongside the car "intermittenly" not starting??? But this did happen with them on a cold morning and they changed the climate controller (or something?? god I havent a clue have I!!)

So I am awaiting his call.

I put forward some of your suggestions, and UK cruisers, and once he has heard back from Chrystler he says they will methodically try some options.
I must say a recurrent theme between both forums is the "plugs and wires". I have done 32000 miles and these have never been changed. Are these covered by warranty or part of general maintenance?

Anyway when I next hear from the dealer I have a handy list compiled from all your postings....just a few suggestions for them.

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions

Lynn

[gonzomania]

If you have 32,000 miles on her it might be the ignition wires breaking down or the plugs are fouled like QSD stated. Good luck and keep us posted

[2step]

It seems to me that if it were the sparkplugs and/or the wires, the problems would be more constant. All the wires or plugs would have to fail at the same time to cause the engine to go dead. A momentary short somewhere in the ignition would be more likely.

I recall reading posts on the forums of bad ignition switches especially from persons who had put too many heavy keys and things on their keyrings. The weight did the damage over time. The reports were more about not being able to turn the key though. [:I]

[PTGT Redman]

wouls it have anything to do with the brake booster hose or something along that line? I had a 79 mustang that had a vaccuum hose attached to the engine block and the oil cap. If i accidentallypulled the plug, the car would stall out at low rpm.
Just a thought.