My sick PT wont go over 2500 RPM!

[mills22]

Okay so, I have an 04 Pt. Cruiser. My engine light will come on, then it does this thing, where it will not let me go over 2500 RPM. It does not always do it. Just when it feels like it. My engine light will be on and it will still let me go over 2500 RPM or sometimes it wont. When I try to go over 2500 RPM it stutters violently. I have to let off the gas, then on again. Off again on again. I cant not pick up speed very well and in a middle of a shift I have to let off the gas. It is enough to drive me crazy!! I dont think it is the transmission, I have had a car, where the trans would slip. The feeling of this is completely different. There is no possible way to go over 2500 RPM!!!! It is also leaking oil, it is not the oil pan, oil plug, oil filter or oil pressure unit. Please help!

[Kawizx9r]

Key dance = engine code

Put the key into the ignition and put it on the ON (without starting the engine), then OFF, until you've done it 3 turns ending in ON and the odometer will post any engine codes stored followed by a 'done'

[cruserdad1976]

id say cam sensor but need the codes

[CREWZIN]

It won't go over 2500 rpm's because your in limp mode. The computer does this so you "limp" home when there's a problem and your not stranded out on the road. We can take guesses all day long on what the problem is but like it has already been said in the postings above, we need the fault code that is stored in the computer. Follow the instructions that were given to you above or follow these...

How to retrieve fault codes.

[mills22]

I did the key dance, p0340 is the code that came up. I checked my Haynes and the code is for my Cam Sensor. Will more then one code come up when I do the key dance?

[CREWZIN]

Yes, if there's more than one fault.

[cruserdad1976]

one thing to remember is that if like a lot of folks you make a parts run to say NAPA or Oriely or advanced and get a sensor it may work or more than likely it wont this fun loving PT we so much love really does not work well with the after marker sensors you need to suck it up and pay the preimun and get a genuine MOPAR sensor from a dealer

you dont have to do this but id be willing to bet that in the next week you will ahve the same code and have to do it anyway

[erniejudd_1988]

it is simple my friend its the cam sensor go buy a new one from any where its a commen problem for neons and pt cruisers the sensor is on the right side of the valve cover and its two 10M's and a plug. put new one on and disconnect the battery for 10 mins and bam all good

[WolfmanG]

if your cruiser is your only means of transportation then disconnect the batt for 10 mins and then reconnect it. problem should go away temporarily enough for you to get to the dealer.
Get the dealer part and replace it
remove your air box and this is where your sensor is gonna be

[mills22]

i changed out the sensor last Friday and its been a week so far so good. thx for all help