Heater and Missing since temps dipped in Ohio

[KIMS CRUZER]

I left work at about 1am. The temperature had dipped to about 5 degrees. I started the car waited about a minute or two, then drove. The car was missing horribly. I stopped let it warm up alittle while, the missing stopped. This has NEVER happened before. I have owned this car over five years. My PT is a 2001 Limited. I have also noticed since the temperature dipped this past week, my temperature guage will fluctuate between 1/2 1nd 1/4. When the quage drops the temperature of the heat drops! I have begun my search for the right size cardboard.The car gets warm but not as warm as it did when the temps in Ohio were in the twenties. Last July the good old boys at Chrysler put in a fan. The car still overheated. Next a radiator, which solved the overheating issue, but then I had NO interior heat. They then installed a heater core and water pump.

[CREWZIN]

Nothing like throwing parts at a problem with you paying the bill. If you were still under warranty, they would have found the problem and you'd be a happy owner.

As far as the missing, you can't rule out that it was just plain too darn cold for the PT, until you said you let it warm up. Did it ever do it again after that?

The first thing we always ask people is; what's your mileage and the last time plugs and wires were changed?

Lets see, new radiator, heater core and water pump. My suggestion is a new thermostat and to make sure the system is bled properly of air. Trapped air will cause a loss of heat in the interior.

[soonercruiser]

Yup! Agree.
Thermostat is the likely culprit on no heat, and fairly inexpensive to fix...probably stuck open.
And if it's a 2001, the OEM spark wires are probably failing. It was 15 degrees here this morning in OKCity...and several mornings this winter...no problem with either PT. (just make sure you are sticking with the recommended 5-30 weight oil)

[quicksilverdon]

Agree with the others. Temp gauge not at half is probably themostat stuck open, and you'll get no heat.
Wires and plugs are always a good idea - do not use stock wires, they don't last - suggest Crane wires ( www.raceAndStreet.com ) the champion plugs are fine, but change them when doing wires and gap at 0.040.