Turn Will not turn PT 2002

[Decsr]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

I stand corrected. I wonder, do you happen to have a stick shift? Maybe they only put them in certain models. AH!, answered my own question when I read your signature. So maybe it's only the stick shift that has the button.

I just went out and looked at my wife's 07 and it doesn't have the button and is a automatic, so Crewzin you were right on the money.

I guess I would to say Chintzgirt (Karen) that my car having lived its whole life in Tennessee is a Tennessee Hillbilly and I would also have to say that since your car has lived it whole life in California, that your car would be a California Babe. Oh yea one more thing the D in Decsr stands for Don and the sr stands for Old Fart.

[GLH08]

sr stands for Old Fart. Hey Decsr, I resemble that remark and I'm older than you. From a Ky Hillbilly to a Tn. Hillbilly, hi neighbor.........Gary

[Decsr]

Originally Posted by GLH08

sr stands for Old Fart. Hey Decsr, I resemble that remark and I'm older than you. From a Ky Hillbilly to a Tn. Hillbilly, hi neighbor.........Gary

>>>Hey Gary I grew up in Princeton Ky. and My Grandmother grew up in Glasgow in the white house on the knoll on Happy Valley Rd. behind the Theater just before Beaver Creek, she was a Harlow from the Harlow, Hall, Ford, McFerran Clan. So I guess you could say that I am a KentuckTenn Hillbilly twice removed. So far you are the closest PT fan I've seen in here, do you know of any others that are close because maybe we could have a little PT Gathering? Heck maybe we can have one with just us two, No Wait, let me cipher on this! You all have two PTs and we have two PTs and a HHR on the side so that make four PTs now, wow!! this gathering is getting bigger by the minuet.

[WanttoPimpthePT]

Is it possible that it is the ignition switch? i normally do not have alot of crap hanging from my keychain just about 8 other keys no nonsense.

[Decsr]

Originally Posted by WanttoPimpthePT

Is it possible that it is the ignition switch? i normally do not have alot of crap hanging from my keychain just about 8 other keys no nonsense.

Yes it probably is the ignition switch, I had to replace one on my brothers K Blazer about 2 months ago and he only keeps 3 keys on a round ring plus he said it had been acting odd for a few months before it finally went out completely and at that point you couldn’t shut the car off at all. I am assuming that replacing a switch in a PT Cruiser is like most cars so if you decide to do the job you will need a wheel puller with your other tools and a good memory on how everything came apart so you will not have any problems putting it back together. And if you do it your self, Go Slow, Do Not Rush. Oh yea, A long med. to small magnet screwdriver will come in real handy.

[WanttoPimpthePT]

thanks for all the advice. Do all of these things cost alot of money? The reason i ask is because i leave for Basic Combat training Aug 5th and i only work part time atm. I am trying to save up my money to head over to new york to say goodbye to my family and friends. A possible price break down would be GRAND. Also if i know nothing about cars but have a cousin who knows how to follow a tech manual do you think we will do ok?

[WanttoPimpthePT]

350 bucks not cheap for someone working part time. Can i do this on myown?

[slartyblarfast]

The tumblers in the lock cylinder are binding. Not really an easy thing to do on your own unless you are pretty mechanically inclined. You have to get the cylinder out and then match the tumblers.... A locksmith might be able to do it but the best thing is to take it to a dealer to fix it.

[Matt42]

Originally Posted by WanttoPimpthePT

350 bucks not cheap for someone working part time. Can i do this on myown?

Wish you lived closer. We could do it in my driveway with an antique steering wheel puller I have. It's not terribly difficult if you have the tech manual and follow the instructions.

Disclaimer: I have never done this on a PT. The last car I did it on was a Saurn SW2. The Saturn factory manual was horrible. The Haynes manual had a step-by-step pictorial. AMC-Jeep and chrysler factory manuals are much better.

I have to leave for Ft. Wainwright next week (civilian stuff), and my daughter's 2001 needs this job done. My wife will try to get a new cylinder keyed to the VIN while I am gone.

[Matt42]

I just checked the procedure in the 2001 factory service manual for removing and replacing the ignition lock cylinder. It is not necessary to remove the steering wheel. It requires having a serviceable key and a lock cylinder that can be manipulated into the RUN position.

quote
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect negative battery cable.
(2) Place key cylinder in RUN position. Through the hole in the lower shroud, depress lock cylinder retaining tab and remove key cylinder.

INSTALLATION
(1) Install key in lock cylinder. Turn key to run position (retaining tab on lock cylinder can be depressed).
(2) The shaft at the end of the lock cylinder aligns with the end of the housing. To align the socket with the lock cylinder, ensure the socket is in the run position. [The socket is the place in the steering column that the cylinder fits into. If you didn't disturb the electrical part of the assembly, it should be already aligned. I think. matt]
(3) Align the lock cylinder with the grooves in the housing. Slide the lock cylinder into the housing until the tab sticks through the opening of the housing.
(4) Turn key to the OFF position. Remove the key.
(5) Connect negative terminal to battery.
end quote.

It's on page 8D-11 of the factory manual.

Disclaimer: I haven't done this yet. The instructions make the GM setup look really stoopid.