HELP WITH COURT & SPEED LIMITER!

[NICOLE-SMITH]

Hi all,

I've been driving an '01 PT since Oct. 2000 and I haven’t posted here in a long time, but I need some help and I don't know where else to turn! I'm looking for some written specifications (i.e. evidence) of the rev limiter and/or speed limiter included in the Powertrain Control Module of the 2001 PT with an automatic transmission.

I'm pretty positive that there is some sort of "governor" that kicks in around 95 mph. I haven't been able to get the car to go any faster, without any fancy shifting or anything. This is actually fine and I'll tell you why.

I got pulled over by a CHP officer about a year ago who cited me for speeding in excess of 100 mph. He said he saw me before entering the 101 freeway in San Jose, CA. He did not use radar. He wasn't have a good day and I did not want to argue with him and risk going to jail, so I took the ticket and waited for the court date. I went to court and the Judge, er, County Commissioner, that I wasn't driving that fast, and that I didn't even think my car could go that fast. But she took the officer's word over mine, like they always do. So then I paid the $400 fine and went on with my life.

Six months later, my State Farm auto insurance renewal arrived and I noticed that my rates increased from $50/mo. to $300/mo. Well that's just too damn much to pay for auto insurance! State Farm says they consider this over 100 mph offense as bad as a DUI, and they intend on punishing me with high rates for 7 years! [xx(]

So, I am going to go back to court tomorrow night to beg the judge to reduce the charge based on the fact that the car can't physically go 100 mph. But I need some sort of proof, which I still don;t have despite months of effort. I have been trying to get some sort of documentation out of Chrysler since June and have not had any luck. I am wondering if any of you might have a technical manual or something that would list the PCM's specifications that maybe you could photocopy and fax to me @ (408) 779-6040 ASAP (as in no later than 5pm 8/26/03) I realize it's a strange request, but I'm really desperate now and could really use your help! I promise to bake the most delicious homemade cookies (whatever your favorite is) for any saint that helps!![?]

Thank you!!
Nicole

[skylight]

Good luck. I found this through Google searching...

"Top speed (as recorded by Car and Driver Magazine, on a 2001 base PT Cruiser 5-speed): 112 mph"

Maybe try a different ins company? I had success with switching to Geico.

Google search results:
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...001+pt+cruiser

[Punch]

most insurance companys can and will call your previous company, if you lie its fraud, if you say you haven't had insurance for so many ( x) months they ding you as a new driver.

good luck.

[COP TZER]

citing a magazine will get you no where in this case, since they are not considered legally reputable. What will help you is send a letter to the DC head office asking them for information on the speed governor for legal reasons, and ask them for a written SIGNED response...

[turbomangt]

When a cop doesn't have you on radar you can always challenge it and plead not guilty, around here they offer supervision often if your record is clean. I know it may be too late since you already paid, but can I have some cookies anyway?Gary

[Punch]

umm (yes i speed too), but your guilty!

you knew speeding was wrong, you knew insurance would go up if caught etc....

your going to waste your money fighting this!

[NICOLE-SMITH]

Again, just to clarify, my car has an automatic 4 speed transmission, not a 5 speed manual, which puts its top speed much lower than 112 mph. No one out there has a book with the actual specs in it???

[PTskilla]

I had an 01 auto, and I easily went over 100 with it on many occassions. Why not find an open highway at 3am and floor it, to see for yourself?

[Punch]

mine is an automatic and easily does 112mph!
heck the rev limiter doesn't kick in until 140mph!

[NICOLE-SMITH]

I HAVE floored it, and the engine shuts down around 95 mph! No joke! That's why I was hoping there might be some technical support for my case. The bottom line is I was NOT driving over 100 mph, and the difference between 99 mph and 101 mph is huge according to the DMV and State Farm!