2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: headlights failing or too dim

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 Oct 31, 2016 · Airbags, Body · 112,450 miles · NC · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 35-40 MPH, the front amber head lamps failed, which resulted in a front end passenger collision. The front passenger wheel detached from the vehicle during the crash. The contact stated that the glove box fractured and separated upon deployment of the air bags, which caused facial injuries to the front seat passenger. The front seat passenger sustained lacerations to the face, a fractured eye socket, and a fractured nasal passage. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 09e012000 (exterior lighting) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 08e033000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 112,450. *js

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.

Filed Dec 18, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 127,730 miles · MN

I've had this vehicle approx. 2 years. At an earlier time I had used the fog lights twice with no incident. Later and prior to 12/17/13 the fog light indicator appeared on the instrument panel, the fog light switch wasn't even turned on but the light came on by themselves. I jiggled the switch and the lights and indicator went out, after that the fog lights wouldn't work at all. On 12/17/13 I went out to my garage to find the fog lamps on. The headlights were off, the car not running, the keys weren't even in the ignition. The lights just came on by themselves. I managed to turn them off (for the night) only to find when I got to work the next morning I couldn't shut them off. I drove the car home, finally pulled the fuse for the fog lamps and returned to work. I've also had incidences where the headlights will dim slightly and then illuminate fully. According to some of the forums I've read, there are a lot of people having this problem. Some people also report burning wires and dead batteries. I wish they would file a complaint. Thank you.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 94,000 miles · GA

About 3 three years ago the headlights started flickering and the radio light would totally go out. Now the fog lights are coming on with the car turned off. I am taking the car to a mechanic - hopefully they can fix the issue.

Filed Apr 9, 2012 · Lights · 70,000 miles · MI

At approximately 70,000 miles the fog lights would remain on even in the off position. Placing the turn signal in the downward position when exiting the vehicle would remedy situation, further fixed by pulling the fog light fuse. Latter on at 80,000 miles the low beams failed and would not turn on. High beams would work or the fog lights would work (after putting the fuse back in). The danger was further enhanced by when you would use the turn signal the fog lamps would shut off. This was fixed by removing the multi-stick from the steering column and replacing it with a new component. All issue were resolved by this fix.

Filed Oct 20, 2010 · Lights · IL

The plastic headlight lenses on my 2003 chrysler pt cruiser have become so cloudy they are practically useless. This is dangerous. I have seen other pt cruisers as well as other chrysler products with this same problem. I am going to have to replace them as I am fearful of having an accident due to low visibility. I live in a rural area with alot of deer and this low visibility concerns me.

Filed Nov 24, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 85,000 miles · WA

1. I generally drive our 2003 chrysler pt cruiser with the fog lights on during the day, and the headlights at night. This means I was turning the fog light switch on the turn signal unit several times a day. 2. Beginning early in 2009 I experienced times when the fog lights would not turn off with the switch without a lot of cycling, or the fog lights would turn themselves on when the door closed. The vibration of the vehicle made that happen. Then, when trying to get the fog lights to turn off, the switch began to smoke. Turning off the car cleared that, so I stopped using the fog lights. The turn signals and headlight portion of the switch worked fine. 3. I contacted the chrysler dealership and was told they were out of the switch. I then contacted a local auto maintenance company I have used in the past and trust. They quoted me a better service price, and that the switch was backordered. There were over 5000 switches on backorder and it was six months after the order was placed before we received the switch and had it installed. My concern is two fold: 1. The 5000 may well have been the tip of the iceberg in terms of failures, and 2. If I had not been sitting there, would the lights, after coming on by themselves have cause the switch to actually catch the vehicle on fire? I thought that the brief time I was smoke should have been enough to blow the fuse, but it didn't.

Filed Aug 16, 2009 · Lights, Visibility · 35,000 miles · CA

The federal safety agency 629139 exterior lighting headlights, moisture inside vented headlamp assembly. Headlights have hard water deposits on inside of lamp,with sun exposure have become so corroded they are not usable have to drive with high beams on.

Filed Jul 14, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 122,000 miles · MO

High beams coming on without being turned on, at first once or twice a week then everyday it would happen then everytime using the vehicle, the high beams came on after I turned them off when getting out of my car upon returning to my car would not crank, the high beams where still on, had to get my car jumped started, removed the fuse and haven't had the high beams to come on again, but I need my high beams esp. For long distance driving through the mountains, there's a shortage somewhere between the fuse and high beams lights.

Filed Apr 10, 2009 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · TX · fire

I purchased a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser in july 2008 in oct we noticed lights flickering headlight switch started burning fog lights came on didn't work before took it dodge new switch and 22 pin connector . New PCM reprogrammed it still same problem lights flicker and check engine light stays on.

Filed Oct 2, 2008 · Lights · 91,900 miles · VA

Shortly after leaving the house, the fog light indicator came on even though the headlights themselves were off. Pressure on the end of the stalk turned the indicator off but it came back on when pressure was released. After parking and shutting off the engine, the indicator (and the fog lights themselves) remained on. Removing the keys from the ignition had no effect. The only thing that turned the fog lights off was setting the turn indicator in the 'left turn' (down) position. Further testing found that the only other way to turn off the fog lights was to remove the appropriate fuse from the interior fuse panel. Researching the problem online turned up several message boards with a large number of drivers reporting this exact problem going back at least three years, which turns out to be caused by a failing multifunction switch. (one such forum: http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/chrysler-pt-cruiser/tf81khbdldvt92ah2/ ).