Battery problems of the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

The problem I am having started about 2 months ago, my battery was suddenly drained and I had no idea why. I had to buy a new battery for about $125. When my fog light indicator began to flicker on and off on its own. I'd just press the end of turn signal arm inward towards the steering column and the indicator light went off. Gradually, the pressing process did not work anymore and I discovered that shutting off the car with the left hand turn signal pressed down, at least temporarily solved the problem (so I could do some research on its solution). Not knowing what to do, I brought it into the dealer and for $65 they diagnosed it at a need to replace the multifunction switch which they said required the pulling of steering wheel and over $600 more to fix. I opted out on that, since car has 112,000 miles on it. Then, with a week of very hot 90 degree temperatures, , I found that brand new battery totally drained and began reading the internet posts of the possibility of pulling the fuse. Of course being a USA car, the manual didn't identify the fuse for the fog lamps in the "under the hood" fuse box. It seems that the heat allows the fog lamps to still turn on when the left hand signal arm is pressed downwards. Going further, I found that fuse #8 in the interior dashboard fuse box could be pulled and should solve the problem without further repair. I find it very interesting that Chrysler does not even show you a sketch of the interior fuse box in their owners manual. This approach does mean that the manufacturer of the vehicle is not allowing the buyer (me) to fully enjoy all the features of the vehicle! seems to me that Chrysler corporation has not recalled the defective cars on purpose and needs to have a debacle like Toyota had before they will do the right thing and fix a bad design. .

There has been numerous problems with Chrysler Pt Cruiser electrical systems, namely the multifunction control switch seems to overheat and cause an electrical short. This depletes the battery, and has led a number of Pt Cruiser owners to replace the multifunction control switch numerous times or remove the fuses for lights, such as the fog lights. Chrysler knows that there is a systematic problem with their vehicle but are not willing to do anything to resolve the problem. . Read more...

Found 2002 Pt Cruiser with dead battery on occasion, no consistency. Replaced battery (7. 75 years old, 90k miles) after 3rd instance over 2 months, issue resolved for about 2 weeks. Car parked in hot parking lot, fog lights were dim when approaching car. Car would not turn over to start, had it jumped. Upon returning home, went to turn off car, fog lights would not turn off. Fiddling with light switch would make them go off temporarily, then right back on. Found turning left blinker in on position kept fogs off. . Read more...

Failure of multifunction switch: initially the fog lights would come on when the turn signal was engaged. This first began in approximately 11/2008. Initially this happened only occasionally, but became more frequent. Now the fog lights always remain illuminated, even when the car is turned off/parked. This required that I remove the fuse controlling the fog lights so that the battery would not be drained. After researching on many different message boards, it became apparent that this is a very frequent problem with Pt Cruisers. Not only is it annoying, but it is also a potential fire (electrical) hazard. I feel I recall is warranted.

There is a widespread problem with the Chrysler Pt Cruiser wherein the multi-function switch on the column malfunctioned, causing the fog lights to come unexpectedly, completely draining the battery . This problem has been going on for sometime and Chrysler refused to correct it, which would appear to have been caused by defective parts. The repair charge wa s upwards of $200.

The instrument cluster, radio, door locks and other items have failed multiple times while driving or idling. We have had the vehicle in 5+ times for repair and the dealer claims they are unable to find anything. We found a recall for this type of problem and the dealer claimed our car was not included. Now, the car does not start even though the dealer has replaced the battery etc.

Car won't start at times. Had to jump it then it started. Something draining the battery if car sits for a day or two. Changed battery 3 times, still having problem. Bought car brand new, dealer still can't find the problem. Car not reliable. Started having problems not long after I bought it. I've had to charge the battery and then after a few days would have trouble starting.

Vehicle has been to two separate dealers for poor fuel mileage. Vehicle is getting less than 15 miles per gallon, when the advertised mpg is between 19 and 27. Vehicle has a foul odor. Both dealers claimed that the computer did not store any codes and that it was running within specifications.

Optima battery in newer vehicle year is leaking acid, and one can smell toxic fumes.