Chrysler PT Cruiser battery drain problems

Filed Aug 11, 2017 · Lights · PA

The multifunction switch had to be replaced or else the fog lights remain on and drain the battery.

Filed Mar 25, 2017 · Lights · 48,000 miles · IL

On returning home from an event in the evening I parked my vehicle in the garage. I turned off lights and then the ignition and everything shut down except the fog lights stayed on (the vehicle was completely shut off). I never had the fog lights on that evening. I tried various a temps I.e. Pushing the butten in, turning the vehicle on and then off again, etc., but did not have any success. My wife went online and found (from many people having the same problem with their pt crusiers) to put the left turn signal on, shut off the vehicle, then push the fog light butten in. This worked so that I didn't wake up to a dead battery. If you go online you will find many people who own pt cruisers with the identical problem including some having smoke coming from the multi function switch. I hope to hear from someone soon!!

Filed Jul 12, 2016 · 1 miles · AZ

The lock on the back gate will randomly disengage. This causes the interior dome light to come on and drain the battery. I find that it mainly happens when closing the doors. Sometimes I don't know until I start driving and the "gate" light comes on and dings at me . . . Which means I have to pull over, get out of the car, and open & close the hatch again.

Filed Apr 25, 2016 · Lights · 90,000 miles · LA

The lock on the back gate will randomly disengage. This causes the interior dome light to come on and drain the battery. I find that it mainly happens when closing the doors with all the windows rolled up. If a window is down, it does not happen as often.

Filed Nov 30, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 85,605 miles · WA

Driving at various speeds, all warning lights flash on and off, then all guages go up and down dramatically, the loss of power, car comes to stop but engine doesn't die. Turn off engine, then on then same thing 2-3 more x on way home. Dangerous. Due to faulty tipm made by chrysler? This has happened 20 different days in last month, also battery dead once, engine cooling fan failed twice, rear taillights blew from electrical surges 3x, twice power window wouldn't go. Taken into shop two diff. Occasions but can't repeat problem so they can't fix it. Help! Car was on highway several times and on 30-40 MPH streets other times.

Filed Nov 7, 2015 · Seats · 130,000 miles · OH

I have changed the drivers seat trim panel many times now where it is held by 4 cheaply made plastic tabs then add insult to injury charge over a $100 for a cheap piece of plastic the size of a small dinner plate. When this breaks the seat adjuster switch is exposes the electric contacts to touching the seat frame and shorting drains the battery or worse case may start a fire, if chrysler is going to be allowed to make such a poorly engineered part to start they should at least offer a reasonably affordable replacement, this replacement shouldn't cost more than 20 bucks

Filed Feb 22, 2015 · Electrical · FL

Just bought this from 1st owner and so disappointed at chrysler, had it on week and needs battery. 1st owner got new 5yr battery 3 months ago and it was a pro rated for another battery. I see 9 pages on website for pt owners with same battery drainage probs and that just one site. I am a 61yr old with heart probs and pacemaker and finally saved enough after doc bills to get out of my 1987 car to a nice 2006 one owner, little ladies pt cruiser and guess I wasted my money. I know this prob has been reported before! I am hoping at least u or chrysler can tell me what the problem is. I have been driving my 1987 for yrs and yrs with hardly ever a prob and I really thought I could count on a chrysler product.

Filed Oct 4, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 120,000 miles · FL

Fog lights came on by themselves while parked with no key in ignition (while at work). Common issue found all over the internet. Cause is a defective multi-function switch. Smelled a burning smell. Repair shop was unable to find any problems through diagnostics which was before the car had been seen during the day with it's running lights on. That drained the battery and required a jump start. Happened several times. Due to overwhelming number of complaints listed throughout the internet for this same issue we feel a recall should be issued as this is a fire hazard. The 15 amp fuse (number 8 on interior fuse panel) never blew but was discolored from heat.

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 60,000 miles · PA · fire

The multifunction turn signal switch started to smoke and we couldn't turn off the fog lights. We had to pull the fuse since there continued to come smoke out of that switch -- we had to open the windows to drive home in order to get rid of the smell/smoke. Our chrysler dealer said that this part is in high demand. The part was $275 and a similar high amount for labor the first time. From that time on I ordered online and replaced the switch two more times. Today, 10/01/2014, the switch started to smoke again. This would be the fourth switch. This is a known problem and should be a recall since it can cause a fire and drain the battery.

Filed Apr 2, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Rough idle at stopped intersections, lunges and stalls. Stalls a approximately 15-25 MPH while making left or right turns making it very difficult to turn while placing the vehicle in neutral and starting the engine again. The fog lights turn on by itself after the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off draining the battery. Had to disconnect the fuse in order to prevent this from happening again. To this date non-functional fog lights. The vehicle has several electrical problems from instrument cluster not functioning while driving to radio and climate control not working until you stop the vehicle and turn it off. Then start the vehicle again then it works properly for another few days. This is a recurring problem. Wheel bearing has been an issue too and currently needs to be replaced.