PT Transmission Question for the techs.

Hello all-

first time posting in a long time-our PT's have been doing great!!!!!

CAR: 2003 PT/LE. 4 Cyl. Automatic

Question-Today, on the while getting on the highway-the PT would not
accelarate when we hit the gas. When you accelarate normal-you can hear the
car shift gears, until you get up to 55 - 65 mph or normal cruise.

The car would not shift the gears, the RPM/Tac went bizerk and pegged to
about 4000, then we shut it off. We let the car rest awhile, and checked the
fluid levels for the tran., which was normal. We started the car back up,
pulled off and as soon as we accelarated again-it revved high again.We shut
it down again-and called AAA/ had it towed home.

Any thoughts on this matter most welcome. Is there a switch, or is the
transmission ka-put????

 

This may sound odd, but was your speedometer still working?

 

If the car still drove but didn't shift gears, you went into "limp" mode.
When the transmission controller detects something out of spec, it goes into
limp mode which locks you into 2nd gear. It could be something simple like
a sensor or it could a more major problem. You need to get the transmission
checked.

 

Appreciate the help-

The transmission is gone at 70k+. We had it checked, and the fluid line had
low pressure. The tech said the pump was gone, and if there were any
shavings in the trans, then if it went thru the pump/trans-would not shift
properly.

A wonderful christmas present to be had on Christmas eve!
pe2

 

I have a 2006 PT Cruiser, gas, with 81k miles. For the last (3) years when I start the car, a number of actions have taken place:

1. the car will start as designed;
2. no power AT ALL to the ignition (power everywhere else); The remote start fob has started the engine, the Check Engine Light illuminates and an accompanying chime follows.
3. The car at this point MIGHT go into LIMP mode, or not. If not, the car will perform as designed, but the CEL stays on.
4. When trying to start the engine, all the shifting speeds might have a square-shape box highlighting ALL the speeds at once.

In most cases the car will shift, but the CEL stays on. Sometimes, when the fault occurs, after (50) miles or so, the CEL turns off, but will illuminate again within (50) miles. I started the engine yesterday, CEL was on, chime sounded and the car shifted. Fifteen minutes later, I started the engine, CEL on, the chime sounded and the car went into LIMP mode.Twenty minutes later, I restarted the engine, CEL on, the chime sounded and the car shifted.

To avoid ANY question about a non-dealer garage's testing equipment, or after-market parts, or non-Chrysler techs, ALL of the parts and labor was done by the local Chrysler Service center. I purchased, and Chrysler installed, a PCM and TIPM because they were no longer available. After road-testing and stating "operates as designed", I would leave the garage and it would go immediately into LIMP mode.

On the most recent visit, the tech checked all the wires on the C4 (green) module to the PCM. He found a loose wire and corrected the connection. I left the garage with the CEL light OFF and traveled (50) miles before it went into LIMP mode and the CEL lit. I brought it to Chrysler Svc and the Svc Mgr saw what I have experienced, especially all speeds highlighted with the square-shaped box. It was at this visit that the loose wire in C4 was tightened, but it didn't last.

I chose to invest into these repairs because it only had 81k miles, I've had it since 2010 and I know what 's been done to it. In the beginning, it was cheaper to repair than buy a car I know nothing about. No more money will go into it. The car is doing exactly the same things it did before my first dollar was spent on it.

I can use it only to go to work (4 miles). Any longer distances are too uncertain because it could into LIMP mode. Even then, traveling in 2nd gear at a high rpm isn't doing any good.

I have seen 2015 YouTube videos about the same issue. Chrysler engineers were contacted by the tech, and they're recommendations were followed to no avail.

When I enter this car, I DON"T know what's going to happen. Have any of you experienced ANYTHING like this with your PT Cruiser?