2002 PT Cruiser Problem

[Konaguy]

My mom came home today and informed me the car would not start. Apparently the car lights would not turn off (or they came on after the car was turned off). Thus it drained the battery. Any thoughts about this would be greatly appreciated..

[Miulang]

My mom came home today and informed me the car would not start. Apparently the car lights would not turn off (or they came on after the car was turned off). Thus it drained the battery. Any thoughts about this would be greatly appreciated..
Did she say if it was a problem with fog lights or headlights not turning off? If it's fog lights, apparently others have had similar problems (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0f6957/0).

Miulang

[Konaguy]

My mom was a bit tired so I didn't pursue it very far with her. My dad was even less specific about the issue, just remarking that there is strange issue
with moms car.

That being said, the thread you linked to may be the issue. The only thing that sucks is the thread is 6 pages long and there is no solution mentioned :(.

Thanks for the thread link by the way.

[Konaguy]

I spoke to my dad, it is indeed the fog lights. So the link you provided really helped out a lot. I even printed it out for my dad part of it.

[craigwatanabe]

looks like another recall

[Konaguy]

looks like another recall

We tried looking at the fuses to try to remove the fog light fuse. The crazy thing is that when we checked there was no fog light fuse. So my dad is probably going to remove the lightbulbs from the fog lights if it happens again. He doesn't really want to take it to dealer since its out of warranty already. Plus its very hard to make an appointment to take it to the Chrysler dealer here in Kona.

[Miulang]

Some of the posts on that Edmonds board mention a "malfunction switch" and note that by replacing that, the problem seemed to go away...someone also mentioned a "fuse #8".

Miulang

[Konaguy]

Some of the posts on that Edmonds board mention a "malfunction switch" and note that by replacing that, the problem seemed to go away...someone also mentioned a "fuse #8".

Miulang

Yeah my dad and I looked through the book for car. I guess the fuse alignment changed for model year 2002 PT Cruiser. As the fog light
fuse is #20. The other suggestion besides replacing the multifunction button was replacing the whole turn signal assembly. We'll have to see, as
we don't use the fog lights here,my dad will probably remove the lights.

[craigwatanabe]

I'd just sell that bastard of a car and buy something a bit more powerful. The car was meant to be a retro hot rod so they should have at least offered it in a six banger.

[Konaguy]

I'd just sell that bastard of a car and buy something a bit more powerful. The car was meant to be a retro hot rod so they should have at least offered it in a six banger.

Unfortunately my mom loves the car, so that isn't option. If it was my car yeah I'd trade it in a heartbeat.

[joshuatree]

Unfortunately my mom loves the car, so that isn't option. If it was my car yeah I'd trade it in a heartbeat.

How does the fog light switch look like? Does it easily pop out of the console? I guess another easy solution is to simply disconnect the wires at the switch and let it be. Just get some plastic plugs to cap the wires.

[Konaguy]

How does the fog light switch look like? Does it easily pop out of the console? I guess another easy solution is to simply disconnect the wires at the switch and let it be. Just get some plastic plugs to cap the wires.


I called up Chrysler today to report this problem. It seems it looks like it may be the multifunctional switch. The problem is the switch is like 200.00 according to the thread Miulang posted and the car is out of warranty.I called up the dealership today and they never heard of this problem. My dad is likely going to pull the light bulbs out if it happens again. As I figure he won't want to pay 200.00 for the switch.

[Konaguy]

The problem re-occurred yesterday. So my dad took it to the repair shop he goes to. I'm not sure if they'll be able to do anything though. Since it may be only the dealership can fix it ?

I did have my dad take the stuff I printed off that Edmonds thread to help the mechanic.

[Miulang]

The problem re-occurred yesterday. So my dad took it to the repair shop he goes to. I'm not sure if they'll be able to do anything though. Since it may be only the dealership can fix it ?

I did have my dad take the stuff I printed off that Edmonds thread to help the mechanic.

Awww, that sucks the big one!:mad: You'd think with all the reports of similar problems that Chrysler would issue a recall on this and fix the problem once and for all. I'm glad that your mom's steering column didn't start smoking up like some of the people on that Edmonds' thread reported, though.

Miulang

[Konaguy]

Yeah things could be worse :( . But its annoying enough that these lights come on after the car is off and drain the battery. I did call up Chrysler yesterday and reported the issue to them.

[Konaguy]

I spoke to my dad, the repair shop replaced the multinational switch and the battery. Thanks Miulang again for all your help.