2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical problems

Filed Sep 15, 2024 · Electrical · NC

WHen the fog lights are engaged, smoke and burning smell appears to be coming inside the steering wheel on the left side.

Filed Nov 14, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 96,000 miles · MA

I replaced my vehicles battery 2 days ago(nov 12, 2019)(very old battery and with the cold in massachusetts it needed to be changed). Now with a properly functioning battery the voltage regulator in PCM (not alternator) is signaling alternator to raise charging voltage intermittently to as high as 17.1volts, but has been frequently bouncing between 14.1v -16.7volts. This increase of voltage to a unsafe level causes all electrical accessories that are in connected to the charging system and are operational to flash/ flicker. Extremely distracting at night with headlights and dashboard flashing/ flickering. After a lot of research I found out the PCM needs to be reprogrammed with the proper updated firmware in order to fix the factory weak parameters. I spoke with a service manager today(nov 14,2019) at my local chrysler dealership (central jeep chrysler dodge ram fiat @ 56 boston providence tpke, norwood, ma 02062) about the problem and asked to have my PCM reprogrammed since only that specific model car manufactures service shop will have the capability and PCM firmware to repair it. The manager refused to do any work on my car since he said, "I wont touch cars older than 10years and close to 100,000miles". Then asked if I was even a customer at that specific location, saying no again after I said I wasn't. There is no other option than the factory dealership to fix a factory flawed PCM, which makes the risk of my battery exploding due to the increased regulated voltage very likely. This problem isn't new to chrysler since they have issued several tsb(s) in my specific vehicle and this exact problem: 18-112-16 18-026-03 rev.a 18-016-03 18-020-04

Filed Mar 10, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 150,100 miles · OH · fire

There was an electrical fire where the radio cup holders and the shifter. Car is undriveable due to the damage. My car was stationary at the time. The radio kept turn on and off. I heard cracking when I went into work. When I came out I say there was a whole lot of damage. I did get the car started and was able to get it home, but it's not drivable since the car died as I was pulling into my driveway. When I went to put it into park it was like park was not an option. Amd the car kept moving so I put the e break on.

Filed Mar 1, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 113 miles · CA

I don't truly know what's happen to it n if it's been fixed but I do know that prior it would have uncontrollable speed control n steering problems n GPS n video n auto recording n radio frequencies.

Filed May 23, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 140,000 miles · VA

Vehicle was parked. Turned off. Multifunction switch that had been replaced previoulsy malfunctioned again. Fog lights just came on out of nowhere luckily I turned around and noticed it. When I opened my car door I noticed the switch was smoking. After some quick thinking I pulled the fuse. If I had not thought of this I belive it would have caught my car on fire and the ones parked next to it. I have had the fuse pulled for a year. Flash forward to my current state in va and it's inspection time. I failed for a faulty function switch. The guys replaced the switch first stoplight I come to no signal. Took it back to garage they said switch was bad out of the box. After this epidemic this will be the 4th multifunction switch that I know of installed on this car. How in the world has this part not been recalled yet. Please do something!

Filed Feb 6, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · 151,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. After the vehicle was started, the check engine and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic on multiple occasions where the catalytic converter, cpu, spark plugs, and fuel cap were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2015 · Electrical · 201,561 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and then caught fire without warning. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not. The details of who extinguished the fire were unknown. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 201,561.

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 140,000 miles · GA

The wiring harness melted, which caused the multifunction switch to burn out and running tail lights to not work properly. Replaced multifunction switch and burning smell came from steering column. Pulled new multifunction switch and noticed melted connectors.

Filed Oct 21, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 500 miles · TX · crash · 2 injuries

Stop at a red light and was hit from behind by another car going over 30 miles per hour. It pushed us into another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. My husband and son got whip lash.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · VA

Battery went completely dead after only two years. Had the battery replaced and now the dashboard lights and the headlights flicker terribly and even more when on high beams.