Fog Light Switch problems of the 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. The contact stated that the fog light warning indicator illuminated and smoke appeared from the steering column. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the roadway, turn off the engine, and restart the vehicle. The contact smelled burning wires, but there were no flames. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact found a recall for the fog lights online, but was unable to provide further information. The failure mileage was unknown.

Was driving daughter to work and began to smell a burning odor. However, I assumed it was a passing vehicle (streets were very well lit, and I would not have noticed my lights were out). The next morning my wife was heading out to pick-up our daughter from work, and was flashed by the local police for not having lights on. Through the process of elimination I decided to replace the multifunction switch. When I received the switch and attempted to install it I noticed that the wiring harness was slightly melted. Upon investigating the internet for a harness I came upon several websites with numerous complaints involving the same problem. (if everyone were to unite and post their complaints here there would be many) these problems seem to be related to a shorting out of the wiring caused by the oem fog lights. This however, did not cause either the dash fuse or the engine compartment fuse to blow, which is a real concern.

Fog lights malfunction very frequently. For the past couple of months, vehicle's battery has been drained because the fog lights are on (which are never turned on or even used) and will not go off. Happens frequently and it's difficult to get the fog lights to go off, the lights control has to be jiggled just right to get them to go off so we know the battery won't be drained after a few hours. Lately, it has gotten harder and harder to get them to turn off and finally had to pull the fuse in order to make them go off.

Vehicle was used to drive to local store at night. Fog lights were not turned on at any time. I parked in department store parking lot and came out after shopping for about 45 minutes and noticed a burning smell coming from Pt Cruiser. Opened the drivers door and odor became more apparent. Noticed smoke rolling out of steering column. Also noticed fog lamp indicator on dashboard was on. However, all lights and switches were off. I had to pull out several fuses until I found the one related to the fog lamps. That was the only way to quickly power off the fog lamps and stop the smoldering. This is a potential fire hazard!.

I am the original owner of this Pt Cruiser, purchased on November 22, 2000. My multi-switch will not turn on my fog lights and the indicator in the instrument cluster does not light. I have read many online articles from owners with the same problem. Why won't Chrysler fix this on going problem?.

Multifunction light switch in Pt Cruiser is poorly designed, resulting in unreliable exterior light operation. Either can turn on fog lights, or lights remain on when car is off and switch is off and drains battery. Mine has occurred 5x. Internet search finds this to be common to pt's, with others reporting electrical short, smoke, and total meltdown of the multifunction switch.

2000 Pt Cruiser with 50000 miles. Multifunction light switch on steering column has failed in past two weeks. When vehicle turned off, fog lamps stay on. Only way to get them to turn off is to turn on left turn signal. Went to dealer to get replacement switch and we are #1500 on waiting list for new switch. Chrysler has no outlook for when new switches will be available. Pulled fog light fuse to keep fog lights DE-energized. Great risk according to widely distributed reports that light wiring harness can fail, melt and start fire. The only safe thing to do is park car and remove battery until new switch is available.

Short in multifunction switch causes fog lights to come on resulting in a dead battery. I am concerned because this is a 15 amp circuit and it may possible cause an electrical fire also. Appears to be a common malfunction with the Pt Cruiser for all years.

Fog light switch is always on unless signal arm is placed in left turn. If I don't do this, the battery drains from the fog lights staying on. Internet search and complaint search on this site reveals this to be a common problem with the multifunction switch, costing approx $200 to fix. From internet research, appears to be happening not only with 2001 Pt Cruiser but also later years.

2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. Bad multi function switch causes fog lights to stay on when vehicle is off and run the battery down completely.

Fog lights stayed on until the high beams where turned on then they would go out. Had to have entire left arm control switch replaced at a cost of 189. 00.

Multifunction switch for turn signal, headlights and fog lights is defective. Electrical failure causes melting, smoke, burning and malfunction.

Fog lights stay on draining battery. Internet research indicates problem with the multi-function switch. Also indicates that hundreds of people have had this same problem - some multiple times - replacing switch at dealer for apx $200 - and manufacturer has yet to issue recall or assistance.

The fog lamps on the 2001 Pt Cruiser come on and stayed on their own accord. This caused a dead battery 3 times. When I opened the door the alarm went off. Sometimes the instrument panel worked correctly, sometimes it did not. Sometimes the keyless entry worked and sometimes it did not. When it did work, I could not get the door to unlock with the key, it relocked by itself, leaving me locked out of my own car and stranded on several occasions. I could not lock the door on driver's side with electronic door lock. Must individually lock all doors. Smoke came from the top of the steering column , through hazard light switch on two occasions. Dealer suggested $200. Replacement of multi function switch - but research showed thiswas not a remedy to the problem. I live in a remote, rural area, and do not feel safe or secure with this vehicle.

The 2001 Pt Cruiser fog lights came on by themselsves when the switch were in the off position, draining the battery when the car was parked. If the left turn signal was turned on the fog lights went off. I had to pull the fog light fuse to remedy this problem.

My 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser's fog lights will not go off even when the car is not running unless the left turn signal is turned on. If the turn signal switch is not turned on the fog lights drain the battery leaving me stranded and requires recharging or replacement of the battery. Multiple forums I've read lead me to believe this is a massive problem with the Pt Cruiser. It requires replacement of a multifunction switch at a cost of over $200.

Control switch for 2001 Pt Cruiser headlights and fogl ights had intermittent short, causing repeated battery drain. . Read more...

Over the past 6 months I have had 50 plus times where I have found my battery dead and the fog lamps on. Over the last 3 years I have had fewer , but , regular times when this has also happened. I check to see that they are off as I exit the vehicle , and return to find them on and the battery dead. The switch on the end of the light control stick is not a good arrangement. It wears out the stop and then ( as mine is now ) you can not turn the fog lamps off. Any little bump while I am driving and they come on. I have had to unplug these lamps ( rather than pay the ridiculous dealer replacement fee ) to keep my current ( 3rd this last 2 years ) battery from dying. I got the first retail pt delivery in WI on April 12 2000 and am sure in time all owners will find this problem.

The connector plug for the fog lights shorted out causing it to smolder and the lights to remain on even though the key was removed. There was fire but no flame. The plug melted and cracked and will need to be replaced.

Fog lights difficult to shut off even with key out of ignition, caught early enough to avoid fire/wiring meltdown. Upon removal of switch assembly and disassembly of component plastic arm worn out allowed spring loaded contact to make light and constant contact producing a short circuit. Once plastic fails no way to turn fogs off.

: the contact stated the fog lights illuminated without warning and only went off when the turn signal switch was manipulated. On Monday the contact noticed smoke coming from the top of the steering column, but no fire. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who determined the multi function switch was melted and needed to be replaced.

My fog lights would not turn off and could turn on even when the car is not running. My car battery drained a couple of times, and I had to obtain a jump to start my car. Called car dealer, and they pulled the fuse to the fog lights and said there is a short in the multi-function switch and it would need to be replaced. Called Chrysler, and I am out of warranty and they will offer no assistance unless there is a recall on this issue. I see there is a prior complaint dated August 2, 2005 for the same issue on three other Pt Cruisers and my car dealer states they have had to replace the switch on several Pt Cruisers. I have also read about this problem on some online forums. I will keep my service records in case of recall per Chrysler.