2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Jun 21, 2013 · Lights · 121,700 miles · TN

Vehicle multi switch failed, causing stock fog lights to short, in turn, draining the battery while vehicle was idle and turned off. *tr updated 08/20/13

Filed May 9, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 40,000 miles · CA

Web site topix will confirm the incredible # of folks that have had fog lamps turn on after car is shut down causing battery drain. 100's have paid for replacement part multi-function switch. This controls fog, head, accessory, & dash lighting. To prevent the fog lamps from coming on by themselves, most have removed fuse # 8 to remove the fog lamps from the circuit. People report smoke coming from turn signal lever, & the complete loss of all lighting is quite common. I personally have replaced the multi-function switch 3 times on my wife's 2001 p.t. Cruiser with only 50,000 total miles & she being original owner. By parking her car minus fuse # 8, not using dome lighting, & always parking with the signal lever in the down or left turn position has prevented the mystery fog lamp issue, & kept her battery functioning. This "temp" solution has allowed her about 6 or 8 months of driving w/o the problems other pt owners struggle with. Sooner or later someone will lose lighting or a fire will occur inside the steering wheel which will cause serious injury, loss of vehicle & possibly death. Chrysler denies any knowledge, but wants more than $1,000.000 to analyze & repair. Through the topix p.t forum I was able to learn how to do the work myself for far less than $100. Many are getting ripped off for hundreds while chrysler knows full well of the issue. No less than an investigation, perhaps started with the topix forum will demonstrate the incredible number of failures that still plague the p.t. On later models such as 2001 thru 06 or 08. Also need 3rd. Brake job, & the rims do not seal causing low tires that hurt mpg. Driving comfort, & safety. Dealer & I have tried michelin tires hoping the problem was with the factory installed goodyears. I still hear every 100 miles or so that my wife's p.t needs additional air pressure.

Filed Jun 28, 2009 · Lights · 80,000 miles · NJ

Short in multifunction switch causes fog lights to come on resulting in a dead battery. I am concerned because this is a 15 amp circuit and it may possible cause an electrical fire also. Appears to be a common malfunction with the pt cruiser for all years.

Filed Mar 20, 2009 · Electrical · 69,000 miles · OH

Unexplainable complete battery drain began in 08/2008. Discovered in 03/2009 that the fog lights were coming on and staying on when car was on as well as when off and parked thus, causing the battery drain. Only way to keep fog lights off was to engage the left turn signal or remove the fuse. Took to dealer 03/21/2009 and found the issue is with the multifunction switch, with a replacement cost of $269. Went ahead with the replacement as I do use the fog lights. Have searched internet and have found many, many cases of this exact part defect. Chrysler should recall.

Filed Jan 3, 2009 · Lights · SC

Fog light switch is always on unless signal arm is placed in left turn. If I don't do this, the battery drains from the fog lights staying on. Internet search and complaint search on this site reveals this to be a common problem with the multifunction switch, costing approx $200 to fix. From internet research, appears to be happening not only with 2001 pt cruiser but also later years.

Filed Jul 1, 2008 · Electrical · 122,000 miles · FL

Driving light switch failing causing driving lights to come on when switch is not activated resulting in battery drain. Has happened three times in the past 2 weeks. Pulled fuse rather than pay to have fixed.

Filed Apr 10, 2007 · Lights, Locks · MN

The fog lamps on the 2001 pt cruiser come on and stayed on their own accord. This caused a dead battery 3 times. When I opened the door the alarm went off. Sometimes the instrument panel worked correctly, sometimes it did not. Sometimes the keyless entry worked and sometimes it did not. When it did work, I could not get the door to unlock with the key, it relocked by itself, leaving me locked out of my own car and stranded on several occasions. I could not lock the door on driver's side with electronic door lock. Must individually lock all doors. Smoke came from the top of the steering column , through hazard light switch on two occasions. Dealer suggested $200. Replacement of multi function switch - but research showed thiswas not a remedy to the problem. I live in a remote, rural area, and do not feel safe or secure with this vehicle.

Filed Apr 1, 2007 · Lights · 90,000 miles · IL

My 2001 chrysler pt cruiser's fog lights will not go off even when the car is not running unless the left turn signal is turned on. If the turn signal switch is not turned on the fog lights drain the battery leaving me stranded and requires recharging or replacement of the battery. Multiple forums I've read lead me to believe this is a massive problem with the pt cruiser. It requires replacement of a multifunction switch at a cost of over $200.

Filed Mar 26, 2007 · Lights · 103,000 miles · CA

Control switch for 2001 pt cruiser headlights and fogl ights had intermittent short, causing repeated battery drain. Exact same problem noted by 20 other pt cruiser owners this year on www.topix.net. Some suggested a fuse replacement for $200 may fix the problem. No word from chrysler on the subject. Why was there no recall?

Filed Jul 27, 2006 · Lights · 30,000 miles · WI

Over the past 6 months I have had 50 plus times where I have found my battery dead and the fog lamps on. Over the last 3 years I have had fewer , but , regular times when this has also happened. I check to see that they are off as I exit the vehicle , and return to find them on and the battery dead. The switch on the end of the light control stick is not a good arrangement. It wears out the stop and then ( as mine is now ) you can not turn the fog lamps off. Any little bump while I am driving and they come on. I have had to unplug these lamps ( rather than pay the ridiculous dealer replacement fee ) to keep my current ( 3rd this last 2 years ) battery from dying. I got the first retail pt delivery in wi on april 12 2000 and am sure in time all owners will find this problem.

Filed Sep 30, 2005 · Lights · 52,700 miles · OK

My fog lights would not turn off and could turn on even when the car is not running. My car battery drained a couple of times, and I had to obtain a jump to start my car. Called car dealer, and they pulled the fuse to the fog lights and said there is a short in the multi-function switch and it would need to be replaced. Called chrysler, and I am out of warranty and they will offer no assistance unless there is a recall on this issue. I see there is a prior complaint dated august 2, 2005 for the same issue on three other pt cruisers and my car dealer states they have had to replace the switch on several pt cruisers. I have also read about this problem on some online forums. I will keep my service records in case of recall per chrysler.

Filed Dec 8, 2004 · Electrical · 5,000 miles · CT

Pt cruiser 2001 (car) will continue to run with key out of ignition. Safety issue: car cannot be stopped occurrences: has happened approximately 6+ times since problem initially brought to dealers attention in 2002 chrysler support: essentially not responding with correct solutions over the last 24 months to local dealer who cannot resolve this defect dealer has attempted to repair this on 3 occasions with different solutions - however problem continues to occur dealer gave me specific instructions that if car did this again, I could stop it by removing fuse #11 - after a set of recent sequential failures on 12/4/04 where I used this technique until I could contact the dealer on monday morning; vehicle battery died and needed to be re-started; responding mechanic advise me the procedure for removing fuse #11 was dangerous and could cause arcing in the car's electrical system and possibly a fire and complete destruction of the onboard computer. Most recent event occurred on 12/4/04 with key out of ignition, car still running.- utilized dealer technique of removing fuse #11, battery died.