Fixing my Cheap PT's Electrical Issues

Fixing some electrical issues on my 2004 PT Cruiser that I recently bought for only $650. I show you how to properly splice broken wires in this video. I also show you step by step how to remove the lower intake & fuel rail. As well show you how to scrape & clean the gasket surface when reinstalling the lower intake on the head.
Check out my video: Changing Spark plugs in a PT Cruiser: • Changing Spark plugs i...

[@b_chill]

Thanks again Matt this tutorial was spot on I was able to add a new thermostat and lower intake manifold gaskets in no time. Please keep those PT videos coming🙏🏼

[@CarswithNash]

I still have plenty of PT content planned, currently I just haven’t had to do any repairs on any of them so that’s why there hasn’t been much.

[@dongantt7824]

Nice job.. I’m having all kinds of electrical codes pop up and think I’ll use this video as a guide to get down in there and do a little troubleshooting a clean things up and see what codes we can delete.

[@CarswithNash]

Sorry for my delayed response... I actually made a video specifically on cleaning up the electrical connections on a PT, it's very detailed and normally will solve some issues if followed. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmqXXpWujtaCd9k

[@802Garage]

The most fun kind of issues for sure! One thing I will say for Subaru, they typically don't have major electrical issues.

[@CarswithNash]

802 Garage I think this was more of an owner or mechanic issue in this car’s case, something snagged the harness at some point & broke those wires... Pretty common here in the winter for people to forget to unplug their block heater & normally the cord is wrapped around the main harness so it’s a very common cause of this kinda damage. I’ve honestly never had any electrical issues with any PT or Neon as yet (aside from a few worn out switches). I think the biggest thing with any older car is taking the time to take all the connections apart & clean them, starter, alt, grounds, power box etc, those things start to loose connection & that leads to secondary electrical issues. Thanks for watching, check out my autocross vids, there’s a JDM Subaru in one, I know nothing about it, maybe you can give me a clue what it is lol!

[@tania1888]

Can you do a video on replacing the tipm and whatever else I would have to do after replacing it?

[@raywalz4952]

Hey Matt ..when you wear the cooling fan motor out on a turbo high output engine ..pull one out of a Chrysler 300..exact match. No need to search for pt fan or find whole assembly..thanks for vids. Best to you and yours.

[@CarswithNash]

Ray Walz Thanks for the tip, glad you enjoyed the video and same to you and yours.

[@geo8841]

Ok thx very nice work

[@novemberrain3474]

Like it bro mine is stuck in limp mode pretty sure its a problem w the harness too

[@CarswithNash]

Good luck, be sure the grounds are clean.

[@sfcd4757]

so i have a 2006pt cruiser (non turbo) and the AC keeps blowing out (too much pressure) so i noticed the cooling fan isnt working which is the likely culpret..anyway looking at the cars manual is says theres a 50amp red fuze for it in the TIPM...but what i have is a green 40amp. might be the issue but do you know if i can put a 50 amp in its place (im not sure if one would even fit etc...) but the car manual does say it should be a 50amp...im also aware of the high and low relays underneath the car.

[@TheTerribleUsername]

That which you thought may be a speed sensor is your crankshaft positioning sensor.

[@CarswithNash]

A Terrible Username 2332 Right, thought I said the later in the video? Older Chrysler products did have a “speed sensor” in a similar location which was what made me say that. It’s not a very common part to fail so I had yet to touch one prior to this video.

[@Corey3948]

nice work

[@CarswithNash]

Thanks!(-:

[@ron3113]

Hey Matt: with respect to the wiring you had to clean up, is there supposed to be a fusible link between the starter and alternator? A friend with an 09 PT has issues with his alt and battery dying and a plain wire was spliced to replace the fusible link. Having trouble finding an OEM fusible link. Thanks for the videos.

[@CarswithNash]

There should have been but that was what was replaced with that gray wire, I guess it burned out on them and they had trouble finding a replacement so they just put a wire in there… I don’t think that is really the recommended approach, but that was such a cheap car I didn’t really worry about it too much so I left it like that.

[@kathylewis7543]

Over my head but I appreciate all the info I'm always thinking try to fix it because the mechanics here aren't so great more of just replace part not diagnosing! Lkje right now a/c issue I think low speed fan not coming on but it seems to be having a large load the steering seems like its losing power intermittently while a/c clutch turning on and off.

[@CarswithNash]

Yes that is normally caused by the high speed part of your fan motor burning out, I do have a video on that somewhere as well.

[@kathylewis7543]

@@CarswithNash high speed is working though no over heating. How can I know for sure? And where are the relays for thst and fuses.... is thst termixtste under the battery part of it or I've seen some with a sensor in front of the RAD. Could it be a wiring issue... I use the electric windows and I get a surge of lights dimming slightly. Its hard I have no kne but me even if I take it to a mechanic around here they know nothing 5 mechanics voukct get my oBD II port to work I figured out it was the port and someone poked a tester through the one of the wires instead of testing it from the back. They are crazy around here capital of NY ...I think he was just made couldn't figure it out do stabbed it so you see what I'm up against... thank you gor your help and and all help greatly appreciated. I see you are very knowledgeable thanks for sharing with us!!!

[@ronniedey7936]

My pt cruiser was working fine then every once in a while it would surge when going down the road. One night my wife said the lights were flickering on her way home i checked for a bad fuse all the fuses were fine i put them back in their places and now my battery is drained and when I replaced it the car still didn't start. It don't even make a sound when you turn the key over.but everything else is fine. All guages and electrical. Anny ideas what it could be?

[@CarswithNash]

If you look at my PT Cruiser playlist I have a video on how to diagnose a parasitic draw and also a separate video on maintaining a PT Cruiser electrical system.

[@brendashelton3983]

Where are you located in Ga ATL?

[@CarswithNash]

Alberta Canada

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Good vid.

[@mostlymoparih5682]

I had to repair the wires in the trunk of a Camry for no signals and the wires had been repaired already at least once so the wires were short. Instead of soldering them together I put male and female ends on them and plugged them in. Doing this allowed me to fix the problem without adding in additional wire.

[@mostlymoparih5682]

I use a razor blade to clean the gaskets off and fine sand paper. Always nice to hear it run after you do repairs.

[@CarswithNash]

MostlymoparIH I pretty much solider everything now, however it’s not as much of an issue if it’s in an easy location to access, where this was located I had to be sure it was a permanent repair. I have used razor blades on aluminum but you have to be so careful... I use them on cast iron for sure but have gone to the plastic for aluminum, I find it less stressful lol!

[@donaldturner5223]

I have a 2003 GT Pt Cruiser with turbo it would crank but not start but with the key on and unplug the far left plug on computer on the fire wall for 5 seconds then plug it back it starts right up but on runs for about 10 seconds then dies and will not start back until you repeat the same steps any ideas would be greatly appreciated

[@CarswithNash]

Is the security light on the dash blinking? (round red light that comes on normally when you lock the doors) To me it sounds like you have somehow tripped the security system. That is my only idea based on your symptoms. If that is the case you may need to have it re-flashed at the dealer.

[@jamesvandread6695]

Hey matt have a question for you I have the 06 pt cruiser do you think I can wire the grounds to the body instead of going through the tipm?

[@CarswithNash]

I wouldn’t myself but only because I’m not sure if that would be a good idea or not, I’m really not an electrical expert or anything.

[@jamesvandread6695]

@@CarswithNash ah ok thanks for the input

[@gradyhernandez4699]

Where is the ignition fuse or relay on a 2007 pt cruiser?

[@annmarden5762]

disappointed in my 2001 PT unlimited. I never knw if it will start or not ....Makes me craZy

[@geo8841]

Like to see timming belt video...

[@CarswithNash]

I have not had to do one yet...🤷‍♂️

[@icealexsanzage]

I think I have to start to doing to bcs I have issues for just start the car like was the starter but is not is just some short cut there you just touch it

[@CarswithNash]

I actually made a very detailed video since on just cleaning electrical connections, check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmqXXpWujtaCd9k

[@jamiesloan5902]

Why are cleaning the top of your engine off?

[@CarswithNash]

Jamie Sloan I clean most things I work on, helps avoid getting debris inside the engine + makes it nicer to work on in the future.

[@thogevoll]

That's not silver solder @14:22 it's good old 60 pcnt lead/40 pcnt tin rosin core electrical solder. If that was a silver electrical solder it'd probably be 1 to 2 pcnt silver.

[@CarswithNash]

You could be right, I’m no expert, that’s just how it was advertised on Amazon, came straight from China so it must be quality LOL!

[@andysaunders3708]

Yeah, but what were the electrical issues??? PS: RTV is so crap. Never use it, IMHO.

[@CarswithNash]

The bad connection on the wire going to the crank position sensor, I showed repairing it. The car kept dying prior to this, or so I was told, I bought it that way. Never had a problem after that, it was a very good car for the time I owned it.