Chrysler PT Cruiser - simple job woes

[adamb]

Although unrelated to 116s I wanted to share my frustrations with a simple job gone wrong on family member's 2001 PT Cruiser.

I supplied a local garage with a new radiator and timing belt kit and agreed with them that I'll be billed for 4 hours labour. Again, a case of "I don't want to do the job myself" so give it the local garage.

First they couldn't remove the bottom pulley for ages. When eventually they did, the belt plastic shroud was damaged beyond repair. I supplied them with a replacement part. Then they tried to start it and each time the engine cut off after 2-3 seconds of running - the immobiliser was kicking in. After 3 attempts it wouldn't start at all. While the car stood over Xmas the previously sound waterpump sprung a leak. So they've fitted a replacement waterpump. The car still does not start with either key. It's immobilised.

This garage does not have the Chrysler DRB III tool that diagnoses immobiliser issues and there are no standard error codes stored. So what on earth could they have done to trigger the immobiliser? It's just a bloody cambelt and radiator change for god sake. Does anybody on this forum have any knowledge of Chryslers from that era?

[rob280sel]

How is the battery?
I had one ages ago that would not start, turned over no problems at all. The Battery tested about 10.5 -11V cranking, all good.
Sent PT on it way on a tow truck to dealership, 80Km away.
Found the battery was just under what the computer required to get it thinking!!
I felt like a real D...Head that it was just the battery.

Also get the battery cables checked, heard they are to thin for the job and "wear out".

[adamb]

The fault turned out to be disconnected wiring around the back of the engine. The wiring became disconnected when they lowered the engine to replace the cambelt. This was picked up by a Chrysler specialist where the car was taken after the first lot gave up.

[ZCarFan]

oil pressure switch?  No signal, no power to the fuel pump and only pressure when starter is engaged?

[John Hubertz]

Chryslers of that era have some odd issues.

I remember a friend's Neon had a 'theft deterrent' that would only allow startup with the left turn signal activated.  Unfortunately that is the limit of my knowledge on these.