2001 Limited defroster grille/vent/whatchamacallit

[redrider02]

Here I am again with a newbie question. My wife just got her 2001 Limited Edition three weeks ago and we've been going through it. The plastic grill in the center of the dash which I'm guessing is the defroster blower vent is cracked and missing pieces. What's the best option for replacing this, and do I have to cut the dash? I figure I could finish breaking the remaining pieces out and replace it with some sort of insert or something. Any and all help on this would be appreciated.

[CREWZIN]

I looked it up in the Parts Manual (Instrument panel cover w/demister grills) and it's all one piece.

What you could do is break the rest of the grill out and buy a chrome trim ring that fits around the outside of the center grill to clean it up.

PT Cruiser Defroster Surround - Polished SS : Race and Street

[redrider02]

Hmmmm. Well that is something. I really can't believe the grill is part of the top dash actually. I know the grill part of this will break clean from the sides. Really looking for a total insert I guess. May need to get really creative with this ordeal. If I had a full size template of the original, I could probably whoop something up that looked half way decent. I hate tearing dashs apart. I've had my Dodge Ram dash torn almost completely apart a few times until I've found some shortcuts. But it's never a pleasant ordeal.

[redrider02]

By the way....until I get my wife to join up here, I'll post some pics up of her Cruiser. She's so proud of it, and I sure am enjoying riding shotgun in it. I'm here mainly because I'll be the one taking care of it just like I do her. I already started on it yesterday with a Rain Block glass treatment for the windshield and rear window. Bought NGK V-Power spark plugs for it, and next up are some quality silicone wipers all around.

[CREWZIN]

Well, if you decide to rip it apart, there's a sticky on top of the Tech & Performance section that's entitled "PT Dash Lamp Replacement" and it should help take it all apart.

[quicksilverdon]

Silver is the only way to go!
Hope you bought wires - the stock wires are garbage - and gap the plugs at 0.040.

I just looked at mine - nasty problem. Break out the pieces and you'll have a hole...
Best bet - a junkyard - any PT from '01 - '05 - and with a sharp knife cut around the oval, then trim it carefully to size and epoxy it in...

[quicksilverdon]

For your vent - email or PM this guy - maybe he'll cut it out for you:
parting 05 PT GT turbo low mileage

(It'll fit, only change from '06 on)

[redrider02]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Silver is the only way to go!
Hope you bought wires - the stock wires are garbage - and gap the plugs at 0.040.

I just looked at mine - nasty problem. Break out the pieces and you'll have a hole...
Best bet - a junkyard - any PT from '01 - '05 - and with a sharp knife cut around the oval, then trim it carefully to size and epoxy it in...

Well, from what I've seen, they must be replacement wires/boots because they look good. 117k miles on this baby, so they would just about have to be to my thinking. Gap at .040 may be some good info compared to the .050 listed. I lost my gap gauge for some reason, but be getting another one soon. I like to use the wire gauges personally instead of the flat. I love the silver, and the wife made a good choice as far as I'm concerned. I'd like to do a clay bar treatment on it when the weather gets a bit more seasonal. You folks have been a big help, and so long as we have this PT Cruiser, we'll be sticking around. No matter what vehicles I've owned, it always seems that I become more of an enthusiast as compared to just a user. Love to keep the rides looking good and working good. Thanks again for all the help here. I'll be looking into that link on the defroster vent.

[quicksilverdon]

At 117K, I hope the timing belt has been changed!

[redrider02]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

At 117K, I hope the timing belt has been changed!

I'll definitely be looking into a lot of things for a while and prioritizing them as time and funds allow.