My PT Won't Start

[Rdoggg1111]

I have a 2003 no-turbo PT and I went to leave work the other day and my car wouldn't start. When I turned the key the starter wouldn’t even turn over. First thing I do is try to jump it, but of course this did not work. So I get it towed home, took out the starter, ran it up to Advance Autobody and had it tested. The guy puts it on his little machine and says my starter is dead, so I replace it. After all that work of replacing the starter it still won’t start. So I checked out the 30amp fuse in the fuse box and its fine, so then I replaced the starter relay hoping this was the issue, no go. So then to test to make sure I didn't get a bad starter I jumped the negative from the batter to the negative to the starter, the car started right up. At this point I have no idea what to look for. If anyone has any idea as to what is happening PLEASE let me know, I'm stumped.

[crusierdad76]

some ware there is a post like this and I think it was the key switch but it is called something else

[Rdoggg1111]

I've looked for it, but can't seem to find it anywhere.

[CREWZIN]

According to what you said, the negative battery cable isn't making a good ground, so start with the battery end of the negative cable, take it off, clean the terminal and put it back on. trace the cable down as far as you can and make sure it's making good contact.

[Rdoggg1111]

I'll try that in the morning I really hope it works. If it's not that is there anything else you could think of? If that doesn't work my next step would problably have to be the ignition switch.

[Rdoggg1111]

I've cleaned all the connections I could find. It's time for me to throw in the towel before I waste anymore money and time and take it to a professional. When I find out the issue I'll let you all know. Thanks for the tips, I appriciate the help.

[quicksilverdon]

Please do let use know.
I'll bet ignition switch...

[Rdoggg1111]

Well I found out what the issue was. There are 2 aluminum pins that go from the tumbler to the ignition switch, one of them broke off. The mechanic found a used colum at a junk yard (seeing Chrysler wanted $1000 for one) and put that on. The sad part is Chrysler won't take back the switch so I had to eat it.

[05cruisergal]

I also have a PT that I'm having trouble starting. It's a 2005 Turbo. A couple of weeks ago I went to start it on a cold morning and it started and died a few times till I finally got it running. Once running it would run all day. I talked to a mechanic who suggested I get a tune-up. I drove the car for 2 weeks with no problems and then one morning it did it again. I got it started and drove to work. After work it wouldn't start so I left it over night. I came to get it the next morning, but it still wouldn't start. I towed it to a show who gave it a tune-up and changed the relay switch. They said it started and ran fine. I took it home and the next day it still wouldn't start so I had it towed back to the shop. They couldn't work on it till the afternoon and of course it started for them. They said no codes would show up and it wasn't a battery problem. The mechanic is someone who has worked for Chrysler for 12 years and had no clue since it was starting fine for them. I took it home and the next day it wouldn't start again. So, the mechanic came to my house and checked it out. He told me he thinks it's a computer problem. I called the dealer and they said if it's a computer problem that it's going to cost a lot of money to fix it. This stinks, because I was going to start test driving cars next week. I had planned to trade it in. I do not want to go spend $1000 to just turn around and trade it in. Does anyone else have this issue?

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
So - symptoms are hard to start - sometimes - and when started it runs fine?
When it doesn't start - does it crank okay and just not catch, or turn slowly?
"tune up" - what did they do? Replace pugs & wires? That'd be where I'd start.
To say it's a computer problem without any other clues is an expensive shot in the dark.
How many miles?
Where are you (state) is cold weather a factor?