2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Apr 8, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 135,000 miles · PA

No headlight, high beam or low beam or turn signal right side. This began about 6/2017 when replacing bulbs did not work. A few months later the horn also stopped working. Fuel gauge stopped reading and sometimes reads full then drops toward e then may show half. Never a constant reading anymore. All fuses and relays test good. Tipm appears to be in good shape, no visible damage or defects to circuit boards. No good voltage to head lamps or turn signal (meter shows 11.5 volts, but appears to be a potential and not a good voltage. Cannot light a bulb but still shows the voltage on the meter), grounds meter good to chassis. Wiring harness appears good with no indication of damage. Runs very rough and engine light codes a cylinder 3 misfire. Runs smooth under acceleration but very rough on idle and sometimes stalls when stopping or at red lights. I have spent several hundred dollars already on timing belts, alternators, injectors and other maintenance procedures. Dealers wont look at it without several hundred dollars to run diagnostics again and again. I suspect tipm and PCM to be defective units throughout chrysler products. You cannot drive at night because I cant get the lights to work. Car is currently parked because it is unusable and unsafe to drive.

Filed Apr 17, 2017 · Electrical · 101,100 miles · AZ

While driving, the indicator lights on the instrument panel start flashing. The gas gauge, the speedometer, the seat belt light, and other lights, except the check engine light, flash on and off intermittently. Sometimes when the lights are flashing and the indicators are flucuating back and forth, the car has slowed as if it was going to stop. It has not stopped yet but the car did engage in some bucking action. If I stop the car and start it again after putting it in park, generally the lights do not flash for the rest of day. I took the car to my mechanic many times in reference to this issue. They could not find the source of the problem. My mechanic told me to take the car to the dealer. I took it to the dealer, they kept it for two days and were unable to duplicate and therefore diagnose the problem. My car has had every conceivable test and has had parts replaced and nothing has stopped the instrument panel from flashing and the car nearly stalling. I contacted chrysler corp. Customer service who was not helpful. They simply put on hold for 45 minutes to deal with my complaint. I have looked on-line and this seems to be a problem with pt cruisers. Chrsyler is employing risk management for this problem. I hope no one is killed.

Filed Dec 12, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · FL

For all you chrysler pt cruiser lovers! Problem solved today! Dashboard lights repeatedly go on and off, engine stalling while driving or idling, I have a 2006 and have been plagued with this issue for a few years now. Dealer mechanics are idiots who go for the big ticket items and hope that solves the problem. This problem for me, was caused by a faulty key ignition module, in the steering wheel. Internal parts are loose and fail to keep an electrical connection. A $60-90 retail part. Easily replaced by anyone who can use a torx screwdriver. You will get a new key to start the car with but it does not include a skip anti-theft rf module, so just keep the old key on the chain to open your car doors with. Now, how about chrysler man up and fix all these including providing new rf keys so I don't need to keep 2 on my chain. My original complaint: the federal safety agency id number: 10823650 tipm already replaced 1x for same issues occurring again now, a few years later and for at least the last 8 months from this posting, occurring more and more frequently now and last time occurring was feb 01, 2016. All dash / engine status lights come on for no reason, then off seconds later, occurring anytime while engine is running. Engine stalls - sputtering, power steering and breaks fail to work properly during this time, fuel level gauge wildly fluctuates and smell of gas is noticeable, all causing a dangerous situation when at highway speeds. Head lights and interior lights randomly go bright or dim for a fraction of a second. Dealership unable to diagnose as it does not stay broke long enough for their techs to diagnose with their equipment even after having the car for 2 full days, despite this problem seen visually by dealer and on video recording. Suspect tipm / ECM, integrated voltage regulator is at fault...

Filed Jun 15, 2016 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · AL

Upon starting the car, the gauge lights flash and bells ding, and the gas gauge fluctuated wildly. Has done this several times. So far, it has stopped doing that pretty quickly. The last time, I did notice the car seemed to have a slight whishy noise and seemed like the power was weak. In the past there have been a few times that the car would continue running after I turned it off. The button on the gear shift has to be jiggled a little to be able to remove the key.

Filed Apr 19, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 6 miles · FL

When randomly driving all the lights on the dashboard go crazy, the fuel gauge goes to empty even when it's a full tank, the car loses power and the engine starts to stall... It's very scary because where I drive there are busy highways and I'm scared too death I'm going to get killed or kill someone.

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Electrical · 122,500 miles · PA

As I was driving my car all the gauges and warning lights came on,gas gauge needle went to e(tank was full), lost power as I was driving. Took the car to my mechanic they tried to duplicate the problem, of course they couldn't. Then the engine light came on. Put the car in the garage...again! A week later the problem returned. My job requires me to work across all 3 shifts, I am frighten to drive my car, I often have my grandchildren in the car with. They were in the car march 25,2016 when the car began bucking and jerking while we were driving home. I was on a street doing 45 MPH, when the cars speed dropped to 5 MPH. I was impeding traffic, and cars were passing me on curves! I was on another site and see 93 other complaints, for the same issue. I am thinking there will need to be a loss of life before chrysler corp. Does something to correct this serious problem.

Filed Feb 2, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 85,000 miles · FL

Tipm already replaced 1x for same issues occurring again now, a few years later and for at least the last 8 months from this posting, occurring more and more frequently now and last time occurring was feb 01, 2016. All dash / engine status lights come on for no reason, then off seconds later, occurring anytime while engine is running. Engine stalls - sputtering, power steering and breaks fail to work properly during this time, fuel level gauge wildly fluctuates and smell of gas is noticeable, all causing a dangerous situation when at highway speeds. Head lights and interior lights randomly go bright or dim for a fraction of a second. Dealership unable to diagnose as it does not stay broke long enough for their techs to diagnose with their equipment even after having the car for 2 full days, despite this problem seen visually by dealer and on video recording. Suspect tipm / ECM, integrated voltage regulator is at fault. Extended warranty refuses to replace without a certified diagnosis by authorized repair shop. 2nd major problem with 4 engine mounts needing replacement several times, more than 10 mount replacements during life of my car, so far. 3rd major problem, transmission sometimes will not auto shift gears in a timely manor, taking up to 4 seconds to engage drive or other from park setting. I have the entire life of vehicle paperwork on all repairs and regular maintenance done for this car. Hoping there is a class action lawsuit I can get in on for this problem, seen reported numerous times on various forums like this dot site.

Filed Aug 7, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 43,000 miles · CT

Almost 3 months ago, the indicator lights on the instrument panel started flashing. The gas gauge, the speedometer, the seat belt light, and other lights, except the check engine light, flashed on and off intermittently. I took it to my mechanic who could not find the source of the problem even using the diagnostic tool. In july, after servicing the car (tune-up) and with my reporting the continuation of the intermittent flashing, my mechanic told me to take the car to the dealer. I took it to the dealer, they kept it for two days and were unable to duplicate and therefore diagnose the problem. For that I paid $145.00. Sometimes when the lights are flashing and the indicators are acting crazy, the car has slowed as if it was going to stop. On tuesday of this week, the car shut itself off completely when I started to drive after stopping for a traffic signal. I was able to get the car started again after putting it in park and then turning the key in the ignition. I contacted chrysler corp. Customer service who were not helpful. I have looked on-line and this seems to be a problems with the cruiser. I am afraid this stoppage will happen on the expressway and I will be injured or killed. If this is and has been a problem, would you not think chrysler would try to fix it before someone is injured or killed. I do plan to take it back to the dealer again, however, I am concerned about my safety and I do not wish to continue to pay for unfruitful diagnoses. I hope you are able to investigate - maybe they will try to find a "fix". Thank you. *tr.....updated 09-29-15

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 Jun 10, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 55,400 miles · NJ

2006 pt cruiser, approx. 55,000 miles. First the seat belt warning light flashes on, then all the warning lights on the dashboard come on. All my gauges drop except the fuel gauge. The speedometer gauge moves up and down after dropping. It feels like power is lost to the engine when it is happening. Within seconds, the warning lights go out and the gauges stabilize and things are normal. Sometimes this happens only once while driving, other days it happens 4-5 times in a row. I am told it is a common problem with the 2006 model. Why is there no recall or repair thru chrysler?

Filed Oct 26, 2010 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · TX

On august 16, 2010 we were driving back from an appointment doing about 70mph. It was around 100 degrees f outside (san antonio, tx). Ironically, our 2006 pt hit 42,000 miles and when it did, all of the warning lights flashed on and all needles (speedometer, fuel gauge, tachometer, etc.) dropped to their "engine off" positions. I did not notice any loss in power and the exterior lights remained on. This happened a couple of miles further down the road and repeated every few miles. This continued to occur even as we approached our subdivision at speeds around 30 - 40 MPH. To date, this happens on occasion and we have only experienced one stall. Being that the car is a manual transmission, it started right back up when I released my foot from the clutch. I have had diagnostic tests run by the dealer, mechanics driving the car for long periods of time, etc. The problem never repeats itself with the mechanics. I have spent $700 and more with no results. We even had the spark plugs changed since they were not the recommended ones. Chrysler replaced the plugs which had been installed by goodyear. This is very frustrating.

Filed Dec 9, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · 12,000 miles · FL · crash

Starting around nov of 2006 while driving at any speed, the instrument cluster indicator lights turn on; all the gauges go dead I.e. The speedometer, the tachometer, the gas gauge all go to zero. The warning sounds beep constantly. The 2006 pt cruiser will lose power and/or severely hesitates, power steering will fail, the brakes will fail, I have had to use the hand brake one to many times to slow the car down. I have had several near misses with other vehicles on the roads. I curb the car twice, damaging my tires once, so as to not hit other drivers. This has been happening for over a year now. I have taking it massey-yardley where I bought the pt, to have looked at over a dozen maybe even more I have lost count, I have tried to lemon the car, chrysler stated that there is nothing wrong with the car because the dealership has not reproduce the problem. I have taking the pt to other dealerships with the same result. Just recently I took the car in again to massey-yardley for poor gas mileage and the same power problem, this time with a check engine light active, in nov of 2007, the dealership said it was a bad instrument cluster and a bad oxygen sensor, which they replaced. I am still having the above stated problem, the dealership stated on nov 16 of 2007 they know something is wrong but since they cannot reproduce the error to trouble shoot it they will not fix it. The dealership also said since I'm not happy with the results I should go to another dealership to have it looked at! I'm going to do that but it's hard when you have to work! Plus massey-yardley will not give me a statement to that fact of unknown defect in writing.