Hi everyone, I hoping I can get some advise from you all.
My daughter purchased a PT Limited edition 2001 less than 12 months ago and has had endless problems with electricals ie central locking playing up, lights staying on dashboard, indicator lights not showing on dash & low speed fan not working.
Latest is the Malfunction light came on & car now running like a bucket!
Have taken back to Chrysler Jeep who have advised that the computer is stuffed - won't cover under warranty and have quoted $2500+ to repair.
Is this a common problem or any ideas what would have caused it?
Really not happy with the dealers as we feel it must have been a problem before purchase.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give.

Tegan

Maybe try going back to where she bought it from but don't like your chances there.
Can't help you much but some of the others who have been around the traps mayb be able to offer advice.

Hi everyone, I hoping I can get some advise from you all.
My daughter purchased a PT Limited edition 2001 less than 12 months ago and has had endless problems with electricals ie central locking playing up, lights staying on dashboard, indicator lights not showing on dash & low speed fan not working.
Latest is the Malfunction light came on & car now running like a bucket!
Have taken back to Chrysler Jeep who have advised that the computer is stuffed - won't cover under warranty and have quoted $2500+ to repair.
Is this a common problem or any ideas what would have caused it?
Really not happy with the dealers as we feel it must have been a problem before purchase.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give.

Tegan
I appreciate the disappointment but we know when we buy and older used car that is beyond factory warranty that we only get 3 months warranty on such a used vehicle. It is a risk we take when buyer and older car.

If teh gear box or engine failed in the car would you expect it to be covered under warranty at this stage. To be fair expectations are a little high to expect the computer to be covered under warranty at this stage. Its unfortunate but a little unlucky.

Maybe you can try a computer from a wreck. Try Sam at Mopar Motors in Melbourne. Not sure if you can use a used computer though as some of these need to be set at new for the car they are installed on.

Sorry I can’t help but I would be interested to see if this is a common problem with other members, as I haven’t heard of it before.

No you cannot use a second hand computer. you can use a computer off another pt to test the fault/diagnose help. but you have to buy new as the computers are programmed into your own pt. . On a previous post just recently I mentioned a 2000 model just bought from a yard here in coffs where the computer failed contolling the autogearbox .it had no drive ie power it would only go in limpmode so it could be driven slowly to the mechanic. This chap had a bill for just on 5thousand dollars because the timming belt was faulty also

I appreciate the disappointment but we know when we buy and older used car that is beyond factory warranty that we only get 3 months warranty on such a used vehicle. It is a risk we take when buyer and older car.

If teh gear box or engine failed in the car would you expect it to be covered under warranty at this stage. To be fair expectations are a little high to expect the computer to be covered under warranty at this stage. Its unfortunate but a little unlucky.

Maybe you can try a computer from a wreck. Try Sam at Mopar Motors in Melbourne. Not sure if you can use a used computer though as some of these need to be set at new for the car they are installed on.

Thanks for your reply. However as we have a 5 year extended warranty with the vehicle purchased from a Chrysler dealer yes the engine or gearbox would be covered.
I see your point re buying a 2nd hand vehicle - but my daughter is only 19, this is her first car purchase and what teenager can afford to buy a new vehicle these days? The behicle was only 7 years old at purchase date with 143000kms hardly an old used & abused car. What I really want to know though is what would cause the computer to die if anybody knows? - Is it a common occurance in the PT's?
Not a great experience with our first Chrysler so far.
I have spoken to consumer protection & they seem to think we have a case so there is some hope yet.

No you cannot use a second hand computer. you can use a computer off another pt to test the fault/diagnose help. but you have to buy new as the computers are programmed into your own pt. . On a previous post just recently I mentioned a 2000 model just bought from a yard here in coffs where the computer failed contolling the autogearbox .it had no drive ie power it would only go in limpmode so it could be driven slowly to the mechanic. This chap had a bill for just on 5thousand dollars because the timming belt was faulty also

Going on this poor guys experience & mine, 2nd hand PT's don't seem like a good buy. Such a shame, they are a gorgeous car till something like this happens eh?! Don't think we'd rush to buy one now, we will get ift fixed and sell it. Pity the computers arent built to last a little longer.

Nothing wrong with buying 2nd hand pts we own 2 x2nd hand pts 1x2001 ,1x2002 and a 2003 bought brand new. you will not buy a better motor car. not like it was 20years ago they are all electonic or computer operated now.

Nothing wrong with buying 2nd hand pts we own 2 x2nd hand pts 1x2001 ,1x2002 and a 2003 bought brand new. you will not buy a better motor car. not like it was 20years ago they are all electonic or computer operated now.

Couldn't agree more Rob. And it doesn't matter whether it's a PT, Holden, Ford or any other make of car, because of the electronics it can happen to anyone of us. Don't sell it just because of the computer. A new computer could last for years and you will have years of fun driving it around.

In fact away from PT's I bought a brand new VN SS V8 Commodore ( 1990 or 1991, can't remember ) and it had 3 computers put in it in 2 years. Luckily I had an extended warranty. And that was a big fault with that model I believe.

G'day all,

Tegan I'm not sure if this will help, but if might be worth a try.

Link:


There are many, but this sounds like it could be a less expensive option..

Ask others on post for advise & contact the company..

Hope it helps

Andrew..

thanks Andrew, have saved this link.you never know

Yep agree guys pt or not pt your always going to have problems.
My mate hasa Nissan xtrail and it did a head gasket at 110k. His sister brought one to and same deal hers went at 90k.

Apparently its a common problem for Nissan Xtrails. After research he found out that 7-8 do a heaad between 80k and 120k


hmmm it is a nissan after all

If you send me the number of the computer I can quote to supply a secondhand unit for about $900.00, this is not an uncommon problem, as with all electronics, some work forever and others don't there is no way to overcome this problem.

Regards
Allan

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Loxy - with the secondhand unit any ideas who would I get to fit it in WA?

Can anyone suggest repairers in Perth who may be able to supply/fit a new computer cheaper than the dealership?
Where do all you Perthies have your repairs done?

Tegan

Hi Tegan, have looked into this a little at work, as were i work we do ECU repairs, but these ECU"s are soft resin filled and are a bugger to do any work on as they can't remove all the resin from around the all the electrical components with in the body thus making it as usual a throw away part.The PT's arn't the only cars that do this latest BA Falcons are like this As some have pointed out maybe direct from USA might be the cheaper.This is the cost of having Hi Tech vehicles these days
Also the prices that youv'e come across is almost the norm, Mercs,Renault,BMW all around the same price plus more.Hope this helps all we can do is help each other with our knowledge of PT'S on the forum,good luck

Regards Chris