Check engine light

Asked by Clydebarrow Jul 11, 2010 at 06:59 PM about the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2007 PR Cruiser with 36,000 miles on it.  The check engine light came on; I tightened the gas cap, and it went off.  This happened more than once, replaced the gas cap, that didn't help.  Now the check engine light is on permanently, the car "bucks" and misses when I begin driving - that kicks in at 4000 rpm.  After several miles, if I give it gas lightly, the car begins running smoothly.  The check engine light is staying on.  It almost seems like a vapor lock when it's misbehaving.  Anyone know what's causing this?

31 Answers

290

The check engine light is truly an idiot light that once tripped stays on for a set period. When you replaced the cap it could have just timed out. Gas cap loose is only one source though and would not cause the engine to misfire. When the light blinks it is multiple trips and the source is repeating the trigger. When the engine misfires you have an electrical issue that the ignition computer cannot accommodate. If you are lucky the On Board Diagnostics may indicate the specific sensor that is failing. Try hooking up an OBD reader and see. Prime suspect would be the upstream Oxygen or Cam sensor.

28 people found this helpful.

change your fuel filter and have your fuel pressure checked,you could also have a bad coil pac.

14 people found this helpful.
250

papa, Change fuel filter? Doesn't that require removing the gas tank in a PT? I would like to change mine, but am daunted by the prospect.

12 people found this helpful.

NO,their is a sock filter that hooks to the FP in tank,the fuel filter is located above or at back of tank,some are under rear bumper cover.

22 people found this helpful.
250

Well, well ... and the Stealership told me they had to remove the fuel tank. Why am I not surprised?

12 people found this helpful.
160

here is a question not an answer. my 2003 pt turbo cruiser has the check engine light flashing . when I tried the 3x on/off on/off on/off that was posted it did not bring up any error code where the trip odometer is. should this little helpful trick work on a 2003 model OR does this only work on newer models?? any feedback is great. thank you.

16 people found this helpful.
455

get the trouble codes by turning the ignition switch on and off, on-off, on-off this will give you codes. The code i get most often and gives me simular trouble is #0139 and #0138 which are the oxygen sensors upper and lower. also check your electric fan at the radiator if the car is running hot it can give you the same problem. at 36.000 it is still under warranty and if it is the O2 sensors they are covered til 70,000

29 people found this helpful.
160

I HAVE AN 07 PT CRUISER. I PUT A MOTOR IN IT AND NOW IT BUCKS ENGINE LIGHT ONY COME ON UPON THE BUCKING. CODE READ COIL, I CHANGE IT, CODE SAID CAM SENSOR I CHANGED IT. I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO WITH IT.

13 people found this helpful.
150

Take it to Auto Zone and have it put on the computer. This will give you a diagnosis: an actual starting point. Sounds like oxygen sensors to me. The engine light won't go off until you have driven it approx 50 miles. Also check freon in AC for engine light.

15 people found this helpful.
200

I have PR Cruiser 2006. With 208km. Engine lights is on. Can drive it at least 4-5 km to the mechanic

17 people found this helpful.
190

I have 2006 pt cruiser that won't change from first gear. It only changes gears when check engine lights goes off. And sometimes even if check engine is on it changes gears. Can you help

19 people found this helpful.
100

I have a 2006 PT Cruiser GT convertible that I just bought. I am chasing a P1189 code. (Inlet Air Pressure Sensor Circuit Low- Innove 3150d scan tool). I found that my MAP, TIP, and ATC sensor are working properly, but this code does not indicate any of these sensors. I am finding mixed definitions for this code. another one was OPS low signal. Anybody out there that can help me?

10 people found this helpful.
170

I have a PT Cruiser 2004 Turbo that just got a new radiator and thermostat. I brought it home and then started it up a few days later. It drove for about 5 minutes, I felt a shift in the gear (it's an automatic) and now it only drives in idle mode (about 2 mph). I was good enough to get home but now I'm stranded again. The mechanic says one of the hoses could have come off. Does this make sense that if a hose came off that the car would completely stop working? No error codes popped up and if I turn it on, it starts. Any ideas? I've spent so much money on it and its only a 2004 PT with 114,000 miles. I'm so frustrated, I'm ready to drive it off a cliff. Please help :)

17 people found this helpful.
140

My 2004 pt cruiser loses power going up hill . almost all power .check engine light blinking going up hill and it just stays on after hill . will die at complete stop .please help only way to work

14 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2006 pt cruise touring GT the engine light and trakshen control comes on and the transmission will not change but sometimes when the light is out its good anyone no why its doing that

6 people found this helpful.
70

I have been having this problem for years. Sometimes it goes off for awhile. I have put in so many oxygen sensors, but the codes keep showing up. I have had my computer flashed & just put in a cattalic converter. Last year I had to go through so much to try to get my car inspected. Finally, I had to get a waiver from NC Dept. of Motor Vehicles, which was really a hassle. the waiver is only good for one year. the check engine light went out for about 3 weeks. I took it to get it inspected, but NC said it was too early to get it inspected. Needless to say, it is back on & I'm going tt through everything, again. This is just not fair. My car doesn't smoke or anything.

7 people found this helpful.
130

Change the pcm tcm all in same unit. its above the brake booster ,where the brake fluid goes in. Don't go to the dealer they want 200. To diagnose 1500 for the pcm , 150. To program it to your vin number. Anyone can put it in. 10 mm deep socket 3/8 drive . A 10mm wrench to disconnect the battery. Always disconnect pos,and neg from battery. Google how to replace. Buy one online from flag ship out of Florida for 150. Programming to your vin is included. The warrenty it for life. It controls the o2 sensor, temp , fuel injectors, when to send the spark to the plugs. Shifting of the transmission, the charging system, cooling fan ,how hot 02 sensors run. Cooling temp, it controls everything electrically as soon as you turn the key. No garage ever thinks to replace this. Thousands of pt crusier s shut off while driving ,death trap its the pcu. Change a motor must program pcu to the vin number I answered all questions on all the posts , unless only cam or crank code comes up. then replace them real easy 8 mm wrench sometimes it's the asd, relay plugs in fuse block under pcu. About 13. Bucks at auto. Zone. no codes for that. Every one who owns a pt crusier should have a spare pcu in their car, and a 10mm wrench and deep socket. They blow as much as light bulbs I've been a Dodge, jeep mechanic since 1984.

11 people found this helpful.
70

Not an answer just a question... I have a 2006 pt cruiser touring edition. I first started having trouble with the check engine light coming on about a month ago when it did my turn signals and wipers stopped working until I shut the car off for a few hours then automatically they began working again however later on the check engine light came back on but this time the thing started to act as if I had the car in low gear going down a mountain even made that weird noise that you hear when you put it in 1st going down hill. I pulled off the road and turned the car off then back on and it stopped. However it continues to do this every day now and has gotten worse than before and when switch from park to reverse to drive it bumps really hard. And depending on how hard it does bump I can usually tell if it’s going to drive like it’s in low gear or not. The less it bumps or no bumps it’s ok but the harder it does it will do it again. Engine light is constantly on now as before it would just be random times. Any ideas what’s wrong?? Really couldn’t use the help ASAP !!

7 people found this helpful.
1,340

Willed her is a youtube video this guy say it's started in 2001. This shows you how to do the aux/on x3 https://youtu.be/t3_px6K9lSY

2 people found this helpful.
1,340

Willed Here is another youtube to get codes from 2001 on up on PT cruisers https://youtu.be/RlYCjrHtBqk

1,340

GuruZKGKH Did you try your fuel pump relay and your ASD relay as well as the fuse for thesea ASD/fuel fuse it think it #13 under the hood...

1 people found this helpful.
1,340

I'm having the same issue Replaced 2 ...02 sensor's drove 160 miles check engine light pops back on low voltage to both. I learned today the upstream has to be good no broken wires or breaks in the circuit because that sends a code back to the computer (ECU) then the computer sends voltage to the downstream from the reading it received from the upstream. It's a starting point I'm back out there tomorrow trying again. ...I Replaced the ASD relay as well thinking maybe fuel relay needs to be replaced too.

1 people found this helpful.

Could be the Cam shaft position sensor which is located right near the turbo housing and it's plastic meaning it's going to go eventually due to heat issues. You can still drive the car to get the part from your local auto parts store but it's in limp mode being you can't go above 2k RPM to shift gears

10

My Gorgeous PT Cruiser 2006 I love Kitty48, n At first All the Gauges was Going Around n Reduced Gas n One Day it Caught off, n Now The Engine Light is On, I hoped it's not A Sensors Problem or A Electric Fan Going On

1 people found this helpful.
50

My check engine light came on on my pt cruiser and now it's runs like it is running out of gas and will shout.off when I come to a stop

5 people found this helpful.

They are a hideous piece of shit. 2.4 auto Classic. Doesn't matter what you replace, there's another problem days, or even hours later. Never buy a Chrysler that isn't at least 50 years old. Mind you, it still starts and runs fine. Quite zippy, too.

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