2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser: won't start

Filed Jul 2, 2016 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

After 5 months of ownership, I have been experiencing recurrent problems with my 2006 chrysler pt cruiser stopping while driving and failing to start. I have had my fuel pump replaced, alternator replaced, timing belt and water pump replaced, transmission replaced, and radiator replaced. Despite these parts being replaced, my car continues to randomly stop while driving and then does not start. These items were replaced as they were "thought" to be the problem but obviously they are not the problem. These repairs have been costly and they have not fixed the problem. Moreover, this is a serious safety issue, as the last time my car stopped while driving, I was in the middle of an intersection making a left turn. I had my children in the car. This was extremely terrifying and substantially dangerous. No check engine light comes on so the mechanic is not able to pin point the exact problem of why my car shuts off while driving and then fails to start. Also, at times, my lights shut off and turn on along with the wipers randomly but not when the car has shut off. The light problem happens independently of the car shutting off. It shuts off without warning. When I try to start the car, it will sometimes turn on after multiple attempts but then the car will sputter a bit and then car shuts off completely. I had my car towed many times when the car did not start after several attempts.

Filed Nov 21, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 163,000 miles · FL

My tipm (totally integrated power module) is faulty. The headlights and turn signal lights do not work. Bulbs have been checked and replaced with brand new, tested and fully functional bulbs, but this has not rectified the problem. Sometimes the car will not start at all. The battery is fine, as the car engine will turn over, however, the car will not fire up. I will leave it, and try later, and the car will subsequently start. This starting trouble is an intermittent issue. I have read that there was a class action law suit for many chrysler vehicles with tipm problems, but I did not see pt cruiser owners included within those actions. Having researched the matter, I see that many other pt cruiser owners like myself are having issues with their electrical systems as a result of faulty tipms.

Filed Oct 18, 2015 · Electrical · 102,000 miles · OH

On numerous occasions while driving, all the lights on the panel starts flashing, all the gages go to zero and the car slows down, sometimes coming to a complete stop. When it slows, it seems to kick back into gear and I am able to drive normally. At times, I have to put to pull off highway completely and turn off engine for a minute or so before starting it again. It is happening so frequently now that even pulling off to shut it down for awhile is no guarantee that it won't start acting up.. This is a common occurrence, on the 16th of october was the last time I experiencedthe pproblem.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 70,013 miles · OH

In jan14 my car wouldn't start, took to the dealer. April11 it took it back to dealer because it took 4 times to start the car. When started, while driving the elec panel lights wld randomly flicker, eng light often. Jul14 car back at dealer, all panel lights wld flicker while driving, car wld accelerate while driving and sounding like in wrong gear at 35mph, didn't get car back until aug08. One hour later, returned car to dealer car still accelerated while trying to stop at a four way intersection. Got car back 2 days later. Car accelerated on aug28, cut off while driving 30mph, dash lit up, gas gauge went full to empty, car launched forward and then started on its own again, this happened twice. Took car to dealer on aug29 and still have no car!!!! Today is sept 11th. Each time the dealer would state nothing is wrong and no signs of anything. They would not listen nor record anything I told them on the paperwork, they continued to ignore everything I said. I have paid a lot of money to get the car fixed and it was not until this last time that I finally got a loaner to drive (two door fiat). A case manager from auburn hill, mi at the headquarters has contacted me, but still nothing has been done!!!!!!!!!!! Now the dealer wants me to test drive the car with them, though I told them that it randomly happens. They continuously act like there is no problem, though I have found numerous complaints online regarding the same thing. Something needs to be done asap before people get seriously injured and/or lives lost. This is something that can not be swept under the rug. As a retired assembly line worker of car parts I find it interesting how my case and others have been handled. The lack of concern, accountability, follow through and resolution is done poorly.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Electrical · 15,500 miles · IN

This is in concern to a 2006 pt cruiser touring purchased at bob schwartz chrysler in march 2007; bunker hill, in. Short time after the vehicle was purchased, attempted to start vehicle and it would not start: (make note this vehicle has approximately 16,500 miles on it now). Took the vehicle back to dealer and new battery was installed, this happen multiple times without problem being resolved(ie: bob schwartz x4, precision auto, crow's auto, and ****wabash valley chrysler; 1st case****). 2 cases have been opened with chrysler corporation (auburn hills, mi). 1st case resulted in another new battery and alternator being replaced (oct 2013). 2nd case is ongoing with no resolution in sight. Vehicle is now back at original dealership for diagnostics and have not found a solution. At all instances we have incurred multiple diagnostic, cost of towing vehicle, battery cost, co-pays and never been offered a rental car to offset the undue burden this has caused. *****bob schwartz service department indicated to us before last service (bob schwartz) that prior to our purchase of the vehicle; it had previously been serviced for an electrical problem and this was not disclosed at the time of purchase.******this vehicle was purchased at bob schwartz chrysler; since then with regard to this intermittent electrical problem, this car over the course of 2007 to present has been at bob schwartz x2, precision auto, crow's auto, back to bob schwartz, wabash valley chrysler (ie. 1st case with chrysler corporation 2013) and now back to bob schwartz (ie. 2nd case with chrysler corporation).

Filed Jul 31, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 65,000 miles · TX

The first time in september 2013 the vehicle was running fine. I had gone into a store and when I came out it would not start. The lights on the panel were on but some were flashing on and off. I had it towed to my mechanics shop and they determined it was the battery and replaced it. Every once in a while lights on the panel will flash on and off but not for long. Last night 7/30/2014 I was driving, everything was fine and then all of a sudden all the panel lights were on and the vehicle just died. It was a good thing that I was in a shopping center and not on the road because at first the brakes wouldn't work. This is not safe. I can't afford to get another vehicle right now. We had to push it to safety and then I noticed there was some kind of code or something (no bus/5) at the bottom of the RPM section of the panel. Couldn't find anything in the manual about it, called an auto parts store and it didn't show up in their database, so I had a friend google it. Everything points to the electrical/computer system and fuses. Several people posted this issue with jeeps and pt cruisers.

Filed May 26, 2011 · Lights, Visibility · 109,000 miles · CA

2006 chrysler pt cruiser. Bought the vehicle brand new in 2006. In the last two years I noticed intermittently the car wouldn't start which seemed to be the battery. It started after jumping and would be fine for 4 months or more. Since then I have pinpointed it to leaving the key in the ignition for just 2 minutes. Thought this was weird since my battery was only 3 years old when this first start. Recently, the windshield wipers, turning signals, and headlights do not work. I checked all fuses, they are good. I read online about the total integrated power module that replaced the 2006 interior fuse boxes. I read many complaints about the same issue. When I found out my turning signals were not working I thought they were the fuses and had no idea my headlights were not working as they worked when I checked them after the turning signals were not working. That night, I started driving home and the headlights went out on a very dark road without notice. My son and I were in serious danger and the only thing we could do was turn on the hazard lights. Think god they worked. The basic safety requirements on a car such as the above should never go bad without notice and without an easy fix. I can not believe that chrysler has not put out a recall to fix this problem. Also the interior lights would not turn on inside the vehicle except if I opened the door. You could not turn them on if the door was closed. I am sure it has caused accidents as it could have the night ours went bad. I hope that the napa chrysler can fix mine as the service manager didn't even know with the tipm was.

Filed May 30, 2010 · Electrical · 15,084 miles · MA

I have a 2006 chrysler pt cruiser 15084 mile the car wouldn't start I put a new battery in it. It started. The next day the car wouldn't start I jumped it and it started. I put a small 2 amp charger on it and the next morning it still wouldn't start. I jumped started it with no problem and drove it to the dealer imperial chrysler after the first hour they the service writer told me I would have to leave it. The service tech took me out the car to showed me that there was a electrical draw of 5 amps but he couldn't find it, when he put hand on this part called the pcd box the heavy wire going into it was red hot and at the point where the wire goes into the box. He then stated the short is in this box I would have to leave it. When I call about my car the charge was going to be over $900.00. I told him I would be going in to see him. The dealership and the service writer were very good the vehicle was just over the warranty. There were going to charge me $453.39 they said half. I paid it. The problem I have is that the pdc box is located behind the battery and contain fuses in it. I been driving over thirty years and I never seen this. The new box is opened on the side there is nothing keeping moisture out. I had found other recalls about a water moisture getting into another part of the electrical system. I feel that its shouldn't have cost me anything and also the chance of a fire. Thank you