Break Down

[CREWZIN]

Yep, that's me being delivered to the Chrysler dealer in Summerville South Carolina. PT broke down heading down to Florida after being in West Virginia helping my son move. Was going strong at about 80mph at 11pm when she quit running. Code set on the computer was P1391 so the engine wasn't getting a signal from the crankshaft or cam. Was towed to the dealer and diagnosed as the crankshaft position sensor ($200) but when the tech was working on it, he saw that the wires from the sensor had come down and were touching the axle and had worn the wires to the point of breaking. Sensor was good, he patched the wires and put them up securely where they won't touch anything else. 2 hours labor at $85 an hour. If you change your own oil, take a look right above the oil filter and make sure all wires are secured tightly so they can't touch anything.

[Red GT]

DANG!!! Really glad it wasn't something worse though. Could have been. That's sight is a sick feeling isn't it? Had to have mine towed for the clutch recall. But, was lucky enough to get it towed on a flat bed. How long did it hold you up?

[PT4U2C]

Crewzin:

Sorry for your breakdown, and loss of time and ($); but, I really appreciate your sharing the experience, especially the tip on checking wires. This is the 3rd incident involving crankshaft sensor problems, the 2nd relating to wire chaffing. I wonder...was the other incident REALLY wires too. Thank you, and all the best.
PT4U2C/1KICKNPT

[Jeff V]

Thanks for sharing your pain and experience. I'll be sure to look next oil change in 1k. Your car looks good even being towed.

[CREWZIN]

The whole experience didn't hold me up too much. I was looking for a place to stop overnight anyway when I cam to a sudden stop. They had me on my way by about 3pm the following day. The bad part is the tow truck broke the front undercar LED light bar while picking up the cruiser, and the side undercar LED lightbar broke coming off the lift in the Chrusler garage. I've already ordered replacements.

P.S. the picture quality wasn't too good because it's off my cell phone.

[Red GT]

If ever (hopefully never) my baby needs to be towed,requesting a flatbed only if possible. Now that I've heard you're horror story. Any damage is too much damage, ya know?

[quicksilverdon]

Saw this on another forum - seems like a bad news/good news story to me - bad news that car stopped running, but good news that you found an honest, competent dealer mechanic.

[CREWZIN]

Your right Don. They could have easily sold me the whole sensor for $200 plus the labor involved. When I first talked to the service advisor, the first thing he told me is that it will cost $85 to diagnose the problem. Of course I had to agree to anything he said, but in the end, the receipt just said $170 for 2 hours labor. In case anyone lives around there, it was Hoover Jeep/Chrysler in Summerville S.C. I wrote a short note to the dealership thanking the advisor and technician when I got home.

[bigdogdad]

Your right Crewzin about writing a note on how well the dealership and their personal treated you. I do this also when I think I was treated above and beyond. Unfortunatley, my dealership will never see one from me.

[PT4U2C]

Bigdogdad:

My dealer won't see any letters either...and I've tried all 4 within 20 miles of my home. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
PT4U2C/1KICKNPT