Check Engine Light On problems of the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

While driving the engine will sputter and die. When pulling up to a stop light the check engine light will come on and the engine will immediately die. While driving on the freeway at 65mph the engine will suddenly die.

While driving the engine will sputter and die. When pulling up to a stop light the check engine light will come on and the engine will immediately die. While driving on the freeway at 65mph the engine will suddenly die. Sometimes it will start up again right away, but most of the time it takes a few minutes to start back up, while people are honking and having to go around my car. Most of the time the car will run rough after re-start, but will run normally after sitting overnight, until the next time it dies. Many other pt owners are experiencing the same thing. Very dangerous and scary! four mechanics have tried to figure out the problem. No luck. Have replaced the ecm and just about every sensor and replaceable engine part. No luck. This is occuring in other Chrysler vehicles, too. It seems like no one has found an answer to the problem. This is a very dangerous situation and Chrysler should figure out the problem and provide a fix.

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. While driving approximately 70 mph the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was pulled over and upon restart drove as normal but the check engine light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken directly to an authorized dealer. The failure recurred several times during this drive. He was unsure if the authorized dealer performed any repairs. The failure began to recur intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where the crank sensor was replaced. The failure continued to recur and the vehicle was again taken to an authorized dealer where the cam shaft sensor was replaced. The failure continued to recur so the vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where the pmc was replaced. The failure has not recurred. The failure mileage was 24,000 and the current mileage was 26,000. The crankshaft position sensors and power train control module were replaced. Updated 11/23/10.

2004 Pt Cruiser began to idle rough, sometimes shaking the whole vehicle. It seemed like it wanted to stall, but never did. It was always worse after a car wash or during damp, or humid weather. I used carbon cleaners in the gas, took it on the turnpike, as suggested by the dealer, but it continued. After several months, the engine light came on so I took it in. They said carbon had built up in the engine and it was not covered by the warranty because it was caused by the gasoline. I have always used 87 octane (as suggested in the manual) and most of the time used 2 gas stations. When I talked to the dealer as they were repairing it, he said it is a common problem with the Pt Cruiser. I only have 23,000 miles on the car. It is parked every night in a heated/cooled /dry garage. I have regular oil changes and follow the maintenance b schedule faithfully.

Since sept. 22, 2005, I have had an ongoing problem with my 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. The engine light comes and and the car sputters and stalls. I have had to have it towed 3 times and it has been to the Chrysler dealer 3 times and is there right not since Monday October 3, 2005. I bought it in February 2004 and it is still under warranty. The "cam sensor" has been replaced twice, I was told it had a short that was fixed but the problem still happened. This last time the service manager said the "crankshaft" was replaced and the problem still occurred! it's like they are rebuilding my car but no one seems to know what the problem is. I feel this car is too new to be going through this. I have missed work because of it. Been stranded on the street and freeway (very dangerous). Have lost sleep and am very depressed and stressed about it. I feel this is a case for the lemon law if there ever was one.

Within a few months of purchasing the new 2004 pt, the engine began to idle very rough. Before, I could sit at a red light in drive and never feel the car vibrate. Now anytime I start the engine or am driving down the road it vibrates and runs very rough. The engine light would also come on and I was able to get the computer code p0303 from the odometer (using the key on/run, off trick). P0303 is a misfire in cylinder number 3. I have taken it to the dealer 6 times now and I still have the same problem!!! it still runs very rough but the engine light does not come on anymore. They keep telling now they cannot do anything if the engine light does not come on. But it still runs very rough! sometimes the light flashes when I start the engine. The dealer has blamed/replaced everything from bad gas, spark plugs, cables and now they want to replace the motor mounts! I researched NHTSA and found there is already a TSB on this exact problem and apparently many other owners have the exact same problem. This is based on multiple internet forums on the Pt Cruiser. People as do I love the car I but this problem must be fixed.