PT Cruiser Stops While Driving

First check battery connections making sure they are clean and tight then check connections to starter if they are loose will cause that problem.

Yes, we checked that.

When you say you try to start it and get nothing do you also mean that you do not get any dash lights also? The lights that come in the dash when you turn your key to the on position and go out once vehicle is started.

I'm not sure. I don't think that they did, but I can't be certain. The next time it happens, I will watch the dashboard and let you know. Thank you so much for trying to help me. I appreciate it so much.

Ok make sure that you notice if you are driving and it cuts of if the dash lights go off or stay on as soon as it cuts off.

After reading your question again I see were you said the dash lights went out then came back on so i am thinking your ignition switch or a bad ground some were. Also have the connection to your computer checked out making sure it's plugged in tight.

Actually, this happens while I'm driving. The whole dashboard lights up and the gas gauge goes to empty, then they go off and everything is back to normal. Sometimes this happens 5 or 6 times while I'm driving. But I think it's a separate problem. Only twice when this happened and I was accelerating from a stop, did it lose power for a couple of seconds, but it came back on. This time the power completely went out and nothing would work, steering, brakes, etc. I will watch though and let you know the next time I start it and it doesn't come on. Again, thank you! Oh, and the car is a 2006 convertible. Not a 2004. I was really upset when I was writing the original question.

The answer is yes. First the lights on the right and left came on, temperature and mileage, then about 2 seconds later, the middle lights came on, all of the red warning lights. I waited about 10 seconds and tried to start it again and it did. I also want to mention that I just had a new water pump put in and the air conditioner hoses replaced and I just realized that it started doing this the next day.

Is it possible that the mechanic didn't tighten something?

Just googled ( Are there any recalls on a 2004 Chrysler pt cruiser ) no recalls for your problem but a lot of complaints about it just cuts off while driving.

Thank you for your help. I am having the mechanic who came out to fix my other problems come back tomorrow to see if he can figure out what's happening. He mentioned that he thought it might be the ignition switch. Do you think that's possible?

That is one thing to consider

Another is have him look at the toque converter solinold.

The correct saying is (Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid )

Also have your mechanic do a code scan on your vehicle check engine light may not be on but it may have stored some codes in its memory.

I have a 2008 PT Cruiser I just bought that is pretty much doing the same thing except for it starts okay but sometimes the fuel gauge temperature gauge goes crazy the lights go on all the check engine light brake lights in temperature light everything for a few seconds and goes off. What got my wife upset today is going down the expressway almost shut down on her completely then she pulled over best she could shut it off waited a few seconds turned it back on and everything's working ok. It's like it has a short somewhere and doesn't whenever.

I have a 2001 pt cruiser and I can drive it backwards and no problem but when I put in drive it jurcks and cuts off I have changed about everything in it. What else could it be

if you have a check engine light . turn the key to the on position (not the engine start position) but just before you get to the car starting the back. do this three times nd it should show you a code ..IF your check engine light is on.I had this issue with mine... but my issue was the starter in one case. and other was the computer was not reading my security key .I had to spend 80 dollars to have the key reprogrammed.

what about checking cam shaft sensor?

I have an 06 pt cruiser with a list of problems: -back wiper stopped functioning -drivers side window doesn’t budge -passenger side headlight is out(new bulb didn’t work) -fuel gage in dash can’t read the correct amount of gas. Sometimes it thinks it’s empty when it’s full and gas light comes on -dash lights some times go nuts -last night it stalled while I was driving on a dark road. Battery and all. So dark. Started back up fine and made it home. -after I start it, I feel it slowing-my foot is on the gas but I’m not going anywhere and then all of a suddenVROOOOOM. -A/C works for 3 minutes -Check engine light is always on - I’ve had the fuel pump, 02 sensors, radiator, battery, replaced. What the hell, Chrysler: why was there never a recall on a car that just randomly shuts off?? What the hell is wrong with this car and how much is it going to cost me this time?

i have a 2001 pt cruser or what not it start but after a while say i hit a uturn and have to put it i reverse and drive it shut off why? i got new tires new tention new pulli now what? need people that really know before i spend more money or sell it ???

I'm a 2001 PT Cruiser owner, and I had the same problem. All of a sudden, everything went down, including electrical, like someone pulled a plug. Found out the grounding strap broke. The mechanic fixed that, and the problem went away. Now, I have a new problem. I was driving along, and all of a sudden, I lose power to the accelerator pedal. Electrical was fine, but it's like someone cut the gas line. Thank god it was late at night, light traffic, and not on the freeway. Waiting today to find out what this problem could be. Fuel pump?

I have a 2008 PT Cruiser for 5 months the vehicle would randomly shut down while driving and sometime sputter then shut off. First thing to check lower fan module I had an intermittent problem with the fan module and had no Idea.Before changing out the cam shaft, crank shaft, fuel pump, 02sensors high & low, Idle control,Don't waste your money and time replacing all these part go straight to the fan module and check to make sure it is clicking on the lower fan. Part cost around 118.00 not hard to replace it may be time consuming to replace but not bad at all.

Well, i ended up having the timing belt, head gasket and other motor parts refurbished. The overheating problem has officially been solved. Now I have a new problem of an air conditioner that's leaking freon somewhere, as when the mechanic recharges the system, it lasts a day then back to no a/c. I'm guessing something was disturbed when working on the engine. Any thoughts?

I have a 2004 PT with just over 55K miles on it. The last few years I have had tons of problems but today mine did this for the first time ! I'm cruising down the street and boom- engine dead, steering dead, nothing. I finally got my wits about me and put it in park and restarted the car. Drove it around for another few hours and nothing. But the amount of problems I'm having with mine it's time to cut the cord. I am so sad. I LOVE my PT Cruiser!!

Reading this thread I am shocked... I have had the overheating, electrical, radiator replaced, sensors of all kinds. I just put new tires and brakes on mine and now wishing I wouldn't have done that. Just upgraded my Triple A.

I am the original owner of a 2004 Pt cruiser Limited Turbo with only 63k on it. In 2013-2014 at 3 different times I had the engine just cut off. Lights were on but engine just totally stops. Luckily I was not driving fast somewhere. In all three instances I was luckily not out on the interstate or a busy road. It took a while to diagnose this, the first time they replace O2 sensor then it did it again they said O2 sensor was bad replaced that and it did it again this time they say fuel pump and module. I am driving it from 2014 till now March 2019 and I am going down a hill of a 2 lane road to a stop light in the turn lane with 50 million cars at rush hour behind me. The engine just stops and won't restart. I keep trying, people honking impatient because I make them all miss their turn signal. Finally, scared of this, I get it going again and ride further down this busy 2 lane Scenic Hwy in Pensacola it starts to go out again and I glide into a parking lot lucky for me into a vacant space. I get the car towed to Sandy Sansing Mazda and they have had it 5 days and it will not duplicate what happened when they drive it around. I am getting it back today if nothing is found but I am very scared of my car now and the fact that it just stops running like a spooky car. I love my car and I am very sad over it doing this. It does have a lot of spunk with the turbo engine when it doesn't do this spooky stuff! No bad codes showing up. I also have an oil sensor that from time to time bings then goes off. Looked that up and is probably sensor going out. I think these Cruisers have some strange thing going on and especially reading about other peoples problems similar to my car and who knows how many others have not blogged about it.

I had the same problem and it turned out to be the battery. It would start the car and drive but then it would stall. I ran a diagnostic and got 6 codes for transmission and different sensors. After changing the battery everything thing cleared up.

My daughter's 06 has the same issue. Read on a forum that the ignition switch could be the problem - the symptoms make that sound logical. One temp fix has worked for us - with the engine running, the key has about a 1/4" of play forward and back. Rotating it back toward the driver ended the dash lights/cutting out problem. I plan to replace both the switch and and the lock cylinder in the near future, but the problem has stopped for now.

I have had the dealer Larry H. Miller in Aurora Colorado look at the same problem that keeps recurring 2008 PT Cruiser shuts down while driving. The dealer does not even know how to fix it, First they say its the 02 sensor,cam shaft,crank shaft, fuel pump, radiator fan, ECM, TIMP, don't fall for this the vehicle will continue to shut down while driving. Chrysler knows there is a problem and not owning up to fix or recall the PT Cruiser. Please file your complaints with Chrysler see email address below, until they get sick of us have anyone thought about a class action law suit? One of our loved ones can seriously get hurt or have a fatal accident and Chrysler could care less..PLEASE FILE YOUR COMPLAINTS!! from Salby https://www.chrysler.com/webselfservice/chrysler/EmailPage.html

I'm having the same problem. Literally had the car for 1 day. I'm so sad. I am a student and I drive around adults with developmental disabilities for work. I desperately need a safe car to drive and I am on a limited budget. I filed my complaint with Chrysler. This is enraging that there has been no recall on this vehicle. Class action lawsuit? I'm in. They need to own up to selling defective cars. There is no excuse for this happening on multiple occasions. Own your shit Chrysler!

I am a owner of a2002 Pt cruiser drove it off the lots with 7 mile on it, sad to say over the years I have had work done on it and no problems over the years but now the past year my car been doing the same thing, when I am driving it stop on me in the middle of traffic, I don't know what wrong I am tried of spending more money and i love her my Pt and don't want to get rid of her.what can i do.

I bought a 2005 Convertible turbo pt cruiser for my teenage daughter and it has 80,000 miles. Looks beautiful. Did none of this in test drives. Now it is doing exactly this and I’ve spent so much trying to fix it but nothing works. A lot of these posts are old. Did anyone find an answer. I have a very sad teenager

Anyone was able to fix this problem??

This is happening with my Wife's 2004 PT Cruiser. Put it in the Auto repair shop and since it doesn't put out a code, they don't know what is wrong and of course it doesn't stall on them when they drive it. So, It sits in my garage. I start it up once a week and it never stalls while it is idling. As soon as my wife tries to drive it, it stalls within 500 feet and won't start back up until it sits for awhile. HEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!!